Beyond Meat

Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat is a leading producer of plant-based meat products. The company uses a patented process to convert plant proteins into structures that physically and nutritionally resemble animal protein using a mix of peas, mung bean, fava bean, and brown rice. The company has an extensive portfolio that includes plant-based steak, ground beef, sausage, burgers, chicken (nuggets, tenders, popcorn), jerky, and meatballs.

Over the years, the company has added several new items to its portfolio, including Beyond Steak (plant-based seared tips), Beyond Burger Chicken-Style (UK and Netherlands), Beyond Meals, Beyond Smashable Burger Patty, the new Beyond Sausage, and the Beyond Stack Burger. In February 2024, the company unveiled its fourth-generation product line, Beyond IV, which included new versions of Beyond Burger, Beyond Beef, and Beyond Sausage. Further, in March 2024, the company launched a revamped and extended range of Beyond Crumbles, followed by the launch of  Beyond Burger Jalapeño, the spiciest product in its portfolio, in May 2024. In July 2024, it launched Beyond Sun Sausage, a new line of plant-based sausage links, available exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Market locations in the US. Beyond Meat ventured into whole-cut alternatives in September 2024, with the announcement of a mycelium-based whole-muscle steak alternative.

As of December 2022, Beyond Meat products were available at ~190,000 retail and foodservice outlets in over 80 countries.

Key customers and partnerships

Since the launch of Beyond Burger, the company has been partnering with major quick-service restaurants such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, Denny’s, Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Dunkin’, Subway, and KFC to launch menu items inspired by Beyond Meat’s products to expand its presence in the US and internationally. Further, the company have formed several international partnerships to launch country-specific dishes, including with Lawson in China, United Super Market Holdings (USMH) in Japan, and Allana Consumer Products in India.

In September 2023, the company partnered with German gastronomy chain Sausalitos to introduce new plant-based dishes featuring Beyond Steak, Burger, and Meatballs in 40+ Sausalitos locations. Later, in November 2023, the company collaborated with Blackbird Foods and Pizza Hut UK to supply Beyond Pepperoni for new plant-based pizzas. 

In July 2024, Beyond Meat partnered with Panda Express to relaunch the previously discontinued ‘Beyond The Original Orange Chicken’ after extensive Change.org petitions were signed for its return due to the product’s popularity. In October 2024, Beyond Meat partnered with McDonald's France to introduce the vegan Veggie McPlant Nuggets across all 1,500+ McDonald's France outlets.