Shifting Trends See Global Food Giants Ramp Up Their Plant-based Offerings

The past few years have seen plant-based meat and dairy alternatives go from a niche product to a mainstream trend, and finally to a mainstay in the food industry. Now that the average consumer has had the opportunity to try plant-based alternatives, the market has spoken and plant-based foods are taking a much larger role in the food industry in 2021.

Plant-based offerings are being added to the lineups of the world's largest food producers, multinational restaurants and cafes, and to important segments like the infant nutrition space. It's clear that the largest players in the food industry like Tyson Foods, PepsiCo, Starbucks Corporation, and Yum! Brands, along with innovative plant-based foods companies like...

PepsiCo and Beyond Meat Establish Partnership to Introduce New Plant-Based Offerings 

PepsiCo, Inc. and Beyond Meat, Inc. announced they will form The PLANeT Partnership, LLC (TPP), a joint venture to develop, produce and market innovative snack and beverage products made from plant-based protein. The joint venture will leverage Beyond Meat’s leading technology in plant-based protein development and PepsiCo’s world-class marketing and commercial capabilities to create and scale new snack and beverage options. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed. Joint venture operations will be managed through the newly created entity The PLANeT Partnership, LLC (TPP).

“Plant-based proteins represent an exciting growth opportunity for us, a new frontier in our efforts to build a more sustainable food system and be a positive force for people and the planet, while meeting...

Beyond Meat Unveils Plans for New Global Headquarters

Beyond Meat, Inc. announced its plans to enter a 12-year lease in a new, nearly 300,000 square foot space at 888 N. Douglas Street in El Segundo, California. The building is currently under development by Hackman Capital Partners with anticipated completion in spring 2021. The site will serve as the company’s new state-of-the-art global headquarters, making it one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced plant-based research centers. The cutting-edge campus is slated to open in fall of this year and is a substantial increase in the company’s footprint that will support...

Taco Bell Announces Return of Potatoes and Plans to Launch Beyond Meat Menu Items

Taco Bell is starting fresh in 2021, especially with its vegetarian fans. The brand is kicking the year off with the return of potatoes and exploring a new plant-based protein with Beyond Meat.

After a brief hiatus from menus due to Taco Bell's menu simplification efforts last year, Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes and the Spicy Potato Soft Taco will be back starting March 11. Taco Bell is also teaming up with Beyond Meat to create an innovative new plant-based protein that will be tested in the next year. Taco Bell chose to team up with...

FiveStar Gourmet Foods Debuts New Salad Featuring Beyond Meat

FiveStar Gourmet Foods is partnering with Beyond Meat to bring more salad protein choices to consumers. FiveStar is introducing a new Simply Fresh Taco Salad made with Beyond Meat, featuring plant-based beef crumbles from Beyond Meat.The new 7.5-oz complete salad recently debuted in Publix supermarkets. Available to retailers nationwide starting in January, the salad is just one of the many new product possibilities for the culinary giant.

"We are thrilled to be working with Beyond Meat, a company we appreciate and respect. This partnership allows us to be more versatile with our main product lines and enables...

Beyond Meat Unveils Next Iterations of Beyond Burger Coming in Early 2021 

Beyond Meat announced the next step forward in cutting-edge innovation with the unveiling of two new versions of the Beyond Burger which are expected to launch nationwide in early 2021. The new iterations are designed to meet consumers’ growing demand for plant-based proteins that deliver on both taste and nutrition, while featuring an enhanced meaty flavor and the craveable taste consumers love.

Similar to the range of nutritional options of beef currently available in the marketplace, the two versions are designed to offer more choice for consumers. The new Beyond Burgers will include...

Beyond Meat Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results

Beyond Meat, Inc., a leader in plant-based meat, reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 26, 2020.

Third Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights

• Net revenues were $94.4 million, an increase of 2.7% year-over-year.
• Gross profit was $25.5 million, or gross margin of 27.0% of net revenues; Adjusted gross profit was $27.3 million, or
• Adjusted gross margin of 28.9% of net revenues, reflecting exclusion of expenses attributable to COVID-19.
• Net loss was $19.3 million, or $0.31 per common share; Adjusted net loss was $17.5 million, or $0.28 per common share, reflecting exclusion of expenses attributable to COVID-19.
• Adjusted EBITDA was a loss...

Pizza Hut Announces Partnership with Beyond Meat

Pizza Hut has announced a partnership with Beyond Meat, to bring a plant-based meat pizza to the masses with the nationwide launch of new Beyond Pan Pizzas, the Beyond Italian Sausage Pizza and the Great Beyond Pizza.

This first-in the-category national launch makes plant-based meat pizzas more widely available everywhere, giving consumers more choices and even more reasons to love Pizza Hut.

The new Beyond Pan Pizzas include...

Beyond Meat Introduces New Breakfast Sausage Links at Grocery Stores Nationwide 

Beyond Meat announced the addition of Beyond Breakfast Sausage Links to its line of innovative plant-based meat offerings.

The brand’s fourth new retail product of 2020 following the launch of Beyond Breakfast Sausage Patties, Cookout Classic and most recently, Beyond Meatballs, Beyond Breakfast Sausage Links will roll into grocery stores nationwide, including at select Kroger, Albertsons, Sprouts, Harris Teeter, Wegmans, Whole Foods Market and more throughout October. Sold in the meat case with...

Veggies Made Great Partners with Beyond Meat and Debuts New Frittatas 

Veggies Made Great is partnering with Beyond Meat to create a new Veggies Made Great Frittata Line made with Beyond Meat, which will be available at select retailers in the coming weeks, and available online at the Veggies Made Great website and Amazon.

The Frittatas come in two flavors:

• Veggies Made Great Sausage & Pepper Frittata made using Beyond Beef Crumbles 
• Veggies Made Great Sausage, Egg & Cheese Frittata made using...

TGI Fridays Reinvents Menu With Beyond Meat

TGI Fridays is partnering with Beyond Meat to build on its offerings and introduce new menu items featuring Beyond Beef. Known for its drinks, ribs and iconic potato skins, TGI Fridays is also leading the way for plant-based meat options, using Beyond Beef to create a proprietary chili recipe exclusive to its restaurant.

Fridays was one of the first casual dining restaurants to offer the Beyond Burger and is once again expanding the menu to introduce new dishes. Developed by TGI Fridays corporate chef, Beyond Chili is a warm, flavor-packed chili featuring Beyond Meat's plant-based ground meat, Beyond Beef. The plant-based meat options at Fridays don't end there — in addition to Beyond Chili, guests can now order...

French Plant-Based Protein Maker Roquette Sees Short-Term COVID-19 Impact

The plant-based protein market has seen a slowdown in new product launches and lower sales in restaurants and cafeterias due to COVID-19 but benefited from more people cooking at home and trying new products, French manufacturer Roquette said.

The market for plant-based protein such as meat-free burgers has surged in the past few years, attracting major investment from global agrifood groups, including Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Nestle, hoping to capitalize on a trend towards healthy eating generally, including less red meat.

But lockdowns around the world to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have shaken the market, Jean-Philippe Azoulay, Head of Pea and New Proteins Business at French ingredient maker...

A Snapshot of Plant-Based Protein Growth Amid the Pandemic 

Alternative protein markets, and those specifically utilized in the production of plant-based meat analogues, continue to boon as a result of COVID-19 economic implications. Primarily used to produce beef-like substitutes, products from companies like...

Beyond Meat to Expand Walmart Distribution

Beyond Meat, Inc. announced a major expansion in its long-standing relationship with Walmart. Following this summer’s successful launch of the Cookout Classic value pack, Beyond Meat’s most affordable product offering to date, this fall, Walmart plans to triple availability of the Beyond Burger from approximately 800 locations to more than 2,400 stores nationwide beginning next week. The move comes as part of Beyond Meat’s effort to increase worldwide accessibility to simple, plant-based meat products made without GMOs.

Beyond Meat first launched its frozen products at Walmart in 2015. Since then, Walmart has expanded its Beyond Meat in-store offerings to include the Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage in the fresh meat aisle and most recently...

Top Plant-based Protein Producers Make Expansion, Distribution Efforts

A pair of companies leading the way for the plant-based protein industry, Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods both announced moves to boost their presence in the retail and foodservice landscape.

On Monday, Beyond Meat announced it will double the distribution of its Beyond Breakfast Sausage Patties. The company said the product will be available in additional Kroger, Super Target, Walmart, Publix and Harris Teeter stores by the end of the month.

“Following the initial release of our Beyond Breakfast Sausage Patties at retailers earlier this year, we heard an enthusiastic and overwhelmingly positive response from consumers who asked for increased availability,” said Chuck Muth, Chief Growth Officer, Beyond Meat...

Study Sheds Light on U.S. Consumer Preferences on Conventional and Alternative Protein Products 

In the past six months, players within the plant-based protein industry have been dazzled by the performance of their alternative burgers, patties, nuggets, and sausages. As reported by the Good Food Institute (GFI) overall plant-based product sales increased to a peak of... 

Beyond Meat Introduces Beyond Meatballs at Grocery Stores Nationwide 

Beyond Meat announced that Beyond Meatballs will be rolling into grocery stores nationwide starting this week. With more consumers looking for nutritious options that are delicious and easy to prepare, Beyond Meatballs are conveniently pre-seasoned with a signature blend of Italian spices, pre-rolled and ready to cook.

Beyond Meatballs will be launching at grocery stores nationwide including Whole Foods Market, Stop & Shop, Sprouts, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Albertsons, and others by early October. Sold in the fresh meat section with a suggested retail price of $6.99 for 12 meatballs, Beyond Meatballs have...

Beyond Meat Announces Agreement to Begin Production in China 

Beyond Meat has signed an agreement with Jiaxing Economic & Technological Development Zone to design and develop manufacturing facilities in the JXEDZ, including a state-of-the-art production facility to manufacture plant-based meat products including beef, pork and chicken under the Beyond Meat brand in China. The production facilities will be located in the JXEDZ, a historic and commercially important development zone with ready access to Shanghai.

Beyond Meat, Inc. will be the first multinational company focused solely on plant-based meat production to bring its own major production facility into...

Del Taco and Beyond Meat Team Up with DoorDash to Offer Free Delivery this Labor Day Weekend 

Del Taco Restaurants announced a new way to relax and enjoy a plant-based meal at home this Labor Day weekend, thanks to the brand’s partnership with Beyond Meat and DoorDash. Starting this Friday, September 4, through Monday, September 7, fans can use the DoorDash app to receive free delivery on all orders that include any Epic Burrito with Beyond Meat.

Del Taco’s foil-wrapped Epic Burritos deliver fast-casual quality with fast food convenience and value. Each burrito weighs about one pound, and are loaded with premium, fresh ingredients, and offered in combinations including...

Beyond Meat Launches New E-Commerce Site 

In an effort to make plant-based meat accessible to more consumers, Beyond Meat is launching a new e-commerce site and a whole new way to shop for Beyond Meat products. Featuring unparalleled access to a vast portfolio of signature plant-based meats, including all-new bulk packs, mixed product bundles, limited-time offers, trial packs and more, the direct-to-consumer site is a new and convenient way to experience Beyond Meat.

Available for order in the contiguous U.S., the online shop brings the plant-based meat directly to consumers doors, with...

Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat Respond to Lightlife's 'Clean Break' Campaign

Lightlife, owned by Greenleaf Foods, announced earlier this week that it is making a 'clean break' from the competition. As the plant-based meat category is surging, with sales up 91% in the past year, there is rising concern among consumers about the ingredients in their food. This revelation inspired Lightlife to create a campaign to ensure consumers know exactly what they are eating.

“At Lightlife, we understand the factors that are driving the recent rise in plant-based protein sales,” said Dan Curtin, President of Lightlife Foods. “Because we care so much about leading the future of this important category and...

Beyond Meat Reports Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Beyond Meat, Inc. reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 27, 2020.

Beyond Meat President and CEO Ethan Brown commented, "I am proud of our record net revenues and growth during a very challenging period. As the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold across the foodservice industry, we repurposed assets and repacked and rerouted products to meet increased consumer activity in the retail aisles. Throughout the quarter, our brand experienced an enviable combination of consumer trends – increasing household penetration; increasing buying levels per household; and strong repeat purchase rates of nearly...

Beyond Meat Expands Club Store Distribution with BJ's Wholesale and Sam's Club

Beyond Meat is working to increase accessibility to plant-based meat through the development of new sales channels, including club and convenience stores. The company, which offers an 8-pack of its flagship Beyond Burger, first broke into the club channel last year at Costco. This summer, Beyond Meat added partnerships with BJ’s Wholesale and Sam’s Club, unlocking partnerships with three major club stores.

“Having entered all national conventional retailers in the US, we looked for where the white space existed and club stores were the next logical step towards increasing accessibility to plant-based meat among mainstream consumers,” said Chuck Muth, Chief Growth Officer, Beyond Meat. “By offering the Beyond Burger in a larger format, we’re able to provide value to consumers and a more accessible entry point for...

Wawa Launches New Plant-Based Protein Breakfast Options

Wawa announced the addition of a new plant-based Sizzli Breakfast Sandwich made with Beyond Breakfast Sausage from Beyond Meat. The new Sizzli sandwich featuring Beyond Breakfast Sausage is now available in all 650 stores in its Mid-Atlantic Operating area of PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA and Washington, D.C., and will be available in all 220 stores in Florida starting on Monday, August 10.

Made with simple, plant-based ingredients, like peas and brown rice, without GMOs, soy, gluten or artificially produced ingredients, Beyond Breakfast Sausage is available as part of a Sizzli breakfast sandwich served with egg and cheese on a bagel. Beyond Breakfast Sausage is also available to...

Beyond Meat Brings Latest Iteration of the Beyond Burger to Canada

Beyond Meat is announcing its latest iteration of the Beyond Burger, produced locally at a co-manufacturing facility in Canada, is now available at major grocery stores nationwide. This latest version of the Beyond Burger, Beyond Meat’s flagship product, has 20g of protein derived from simple, plant-based ingredients like peas, mung beans and rice, and features marbling made from cocoa butter that is designed to melt and tenderize like beef.

Canada continues to be an important part of Beyond Meat’s long-term growth strategy and producing the Beyond Burger locally in Canada enables Beyond Meat to better serve the Canadian market, while...

Kentucky Fried Chicken to Offer Plant-Based Chicken in Southern California 

Beyond Fried Chicken is back! Kentucky Fried Chicken and Beyond Meat announced today a sneak peek of Beyond Fried Chicken, their plant-based chicken collaboration, in Southern California. Beginning July 20, Beyond Fried Chicken will be available for customers in more than 50 select KFC restaurants in the Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego areas, while supplies last.

Beyond Fried Chicken is plant-based protein that boasts the flavors of KFC’s world-famous fried chicken and has a texture that looks and pulls apart like a chicken breast. KFC and Beyond Meat worked together to develop a plant-based fried chicken that would appeal to...

Beyond Meat Introduces Limited Edition Burger Pack

Beyond Meat is making plant-based burgers more accessible and affordable this summer with the introduction of Cookout Classic, a limited edition burger 10-pack available at a majority of Walmart and Target stores nationwide and select retailers across the U.S. beginning the week of June 22. Sold in the frozen meat aisle with a suggested retail price of $15.99 ($1.60 per patty), the new offering will be available through mid-August, or until supplies last, and is intended to narrow the price gap between plant-based meat and animal protein.

With growing consumer interest in plant-based protein, the Cookout Classic value pack is designed to inspire a plant-based meat option at barbecues and summer gatherings. The burgers are made with...

Beyond Meat Expands Local Production Capabilities in Europe

Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND), a leader in plant-based meat, today announced the company’s first co-manufacturing capabilities in Europe with the official opening of the Zandbergen co-manufacturing facility in Zoeterwoude, the Netherlands. The new state-of-the-art facility owned and operated by Zandbergen will produce the Beyond Burger^® and Beyond Sausage^® and is intended to allow for more efficient distribution of Beyond Meat’s products across EMEA.

Production at the new Zandbergen co-manufacturing facility will also include the upcoming debut of new packaging for...

COVID-19 Impact on Alternative Protein Industry

The on-going COVID-19 pandemic is re-shaping everything from the global economies to product categories, pricing, and stock availability to consumer behavior.

The pandemic has also placed the spotlight on meat supply and food security globally. The spotlight on meat supply has been evident in both developed and emerging markets amidst disruptions to supply chains and panic buying and stockpiling, following announcements of lockdowns and social distancing measures...

Yum China to Introduce Beyond Burger at Select KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Restaurants

Yum China Holdings, Inc., announced that it is partnering with Beyond Meat, Inc., a leader in plant-based meat, to introduce the Beyond Burger as a limited time offering at select KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell locations in mainland China starting June 3. This partnership marks the introduction of Beyond Meat's Beyond Burger in mainland China.

"We see great potential for the plant-based meat market in China," said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. "This latest introduction across KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell brands is expected to capture valuable consumer feedback across different regions in China. It will enable us to optimize flavors and processes and help assess...

Beyond Meat Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results 

Beyond Meat, Inc., a leader in plant-based meat, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 28, 2020.

“I am proud of our first quarter financial results which exceeded our expectations despite an increasingly challenging operating environment due to the COVID-19 health crisis," said Ethan Brown, Beyond Meat's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The health and safety of our employees and their families is our top priority and we have implemented a series of measures to minimize risks while supporting business continuity. Among other things, these include...

Beyond Meat Announces New Revolving Credit Facility

Beyond Meat, Inc. announced that it has entered into a new $150 million five-year secured revolving credit facility to support its future growth initiatives. The new credit facility also includes an accordion feature for up to an additional $200 million.

“Our current cash and liquidity position is strong, and we are pleased to complete this new credit facility on terms that will provide Beyond Meat with a greater amount of financial flexibility and better position the Company for long-term success,” said Mark Nelson, Beyond Meat’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. “We appreciate the support of our lenders as this transaction lowers our cost of capital, is expected to support...

Beyond Meat Announces National Retail Launch of Beyond Breakfast Sausage

Beyond Meat announced its latest product innovation, Beyond Breakfast Sausage, will start to hit retail shelves by the end of March. Beyond Breakfast Sausage is a new plant-based breakfast sausage featuring 11 grams of protein per serving.

Available in two flavors, classic and spicy, this breakfast option offers the taste of traditional pork breakfast sausage.

Perfect for busy mornings, Beyond Breakfast Sausage is a quick and convenient plant-based option that goes from...

Beyond Meat Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Financial Results

Beyond Meat, Inc. reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Financial Highlights Compared to Prior Year Period

• Net revenues were $98.5 million, an increase of 212%, compared to net revenues of $31.5 million in the year-ago period;
• Gross profit was $33.5 million, or 34.0% of net revenues, compared to gross profit of $7.9 million, or 25.0% of net revenues, in the year-ago period;
• Net loss was $0.5 million, or $0.01 per common share, compared to net loss of $7.5 million, or $1.10 per common share in the year-ago period; and...