Beyond Meat

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An American food company and brand producing plant-based alternatives to beef, pork, chicken and other meat products.

Last updated October 14, 2026

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First read: Nov 4, 2026
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Overview

Beyond Meat is an American food company whose consumer brand develops plant-based alternatives to conventional meat. Its portfolio includes burger patties, ground-meat substitutes, sausages, meatballs, steak-style products, chicken alternatives and breakfast items. The company positions its products as foods intended to reproduce important sensory characteristics of meat while avoiding animal-derived ingredients, and commonly emphasizes protein, animal welfare and environmental considerations in its brand communications. Ethan Brown founded the company in 2009 with the stated aim of addressing climate change and other impacts associated with conventional animal agriculture. The business licensed food-processing technology developed by University of Missouri researchers Fu-hung Hsieh and Harold Huff, who had worked on meatless protein technology since the 1980s. Beyond Meat introduced its first commercial product, initially called Chicken-Free Strips and later known as Beyond Chicken Strips, at Whole Foods Market in 2012. National expansion followed in 2013. Its early products helped establish the company in the refrigerated and frozen alternative-protein category, although the original chicken strips were eventually discontinued. The company broadened into plant-based beef with Beyond Beef Crumbles in 2014 and introduced the Beyond Burger in 2016. The burger became its best-known product and a platform for subsequent formula and format revisions. Beyond Sausage followed from development announced in 2017 and commercial launch in 2018, while Beyond Meatballs, breakfast sausage, steak-style strips, minced products and chicken nuggets extended the range into additional eating occasions. Pea protein has been a central ingredient across much of the portfolio, with rice, fava-bean, potato and other plant ingredients used in different formulas. Roquette Frères has been identified as a major pea-protein supplier. Beyond Meat grew through venture investment from parties including GreatPoint Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, Obvious Corporation, Bill Gates, Biz Stone, the Humane Society and Tyson Foods. In May 2019 it completed an initial public offering on Nasdaq under the symbol BYND, becoming the first publicly traded company focused primarily on plant-based meat alternatives. The offering generated approximately $240 million in proceeds, according to reference material, and the stock experienced unusually strong first-day trading. The company subsequently expanded through supermarket distribution, foodservice partnerships, direct-to-consumer e-commerce, international sales and manufacturing investments. Its products have appeared through restaurant and foodservice collaborations involving Dunkin', KFC, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Subway, Del Taco, Carl's Jr. and PepsiCo. Results have varied by market and product: some launches became recurring menu or retail offerings, while other tests were limited or discontinued. The McPlant burger, developed with McDonald's, was tested in selected markets, but the U.S. test ended in 2022 after weak sales in participating restaurants. Beyond Meat and PepsiCo also formed The PLANeT Partnership to develop plant-based snacks and beverages; their Beyond Meat Jerky product was launched in 2022 and later discontinued. The company has built or used production capacity in the United States, the Netherlands and China. Its distribution has expanded substantially beyond its original U.S. base; reference material states that by December 2024 products were available through approximately 27,000 U.S. retail outlets, 38,000 international retail outlets, 38,000 U.S. foodservice outlets and 26,000 international foodservice outlets. The business has nevertheless faced slowing demand, pressure on revenue, manufacturing and cost challenges, and workforce reductions. It announced significant layoffs in 2022 and 2023 and further restructuring in 2025, including a halt to operations in China. Beyond Meat remains an active pu…

History

Beyond Meat was founded in 2009 by Ethan Brown, who sought to develop foods that could provide meat-like eating experiences without using animals. Brown licensed technology from Fu-hung Hsieh and Harold Huff at the University of Missouri. Their work supplied a technical foundation for producing structured plant proteins capable of approximating the texture of meat. The first commercial product was introduced in 2012 through Whole Foods Market. Originally called Chicken-Free Strips, it was later marketed as Beyond Chicken Strips. The product expanded nationally in 2013 but was eventually discontinued in 2019. Beyond Meat entered plant-based beef in 2014 with Beyond Beef Crumbles and began developing a burger intended to more closely imitate the appearance and cooking behavior of ground beef. The Beyond Burger launched in May 2016 and became the company’s signature product. Beyond Sausage was announced in 2017 and launched in 2018, expanding the brand into plant-based pork alternatives. Beyond Meatballs followed through a 2019 Subway collaboration and entered selected retail channels in 2020. Breakfast sausage, minced products, steak-style pieces and chicken alternatives were added in subsequent years. The company raised venture capital from institutional investors, technology figures, animal-welfare organizations and Tyson Foods. It reported approximately $72 million in venture financing by 2018. In May 2019, Beyond Meat went public on Nasdaq, reportedly raising $240 million. The IPO attracted exceptional investor attention and produced a very large first-day stock-price increase. Celebrity and athlete investors later included Leonardo DiCaprio, Jessica Chastain, Snoop Dogg and professional athletes, according to reference material. Beyond Meat expanded its distribution through grocery stores, restaurants, institutional foodservice and direct online sales. Partnerships and tests included Dunkin’ breakfast sandwiches, KFC plant-based nuggets, Subway meatballs, Taco Bell menu development, McDonald’s McPlant testing, Del Taco, Carl’s Jr. and PepsiCo. In 2021, Beyond Meat and PepsiCo created The PLANeT Partnership for plant-based snacks and beverages. Their Beyond Meat Jerky launched in 2022 but was discontinued in 2024. Manufacturing and research investments included facilities in Missouri and Pennsylvania, a research and development laboratory and headquarters campus in El Segundo, Netherlands facilities serving Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and an owned plant in Jiaxing, Zhejiang. The China plant was described as the company’s first end-to-end manufacturing facility outside the United States, but operations there were halted in 2025. The company has faced challenges including product-level demand variability, price and distribution pressures, declining sales and operational restructuring. It reduced its workforce by approximately 19 percent in 2022, announced further reductions in 2023 and made additional cuts in 2025. A separate legal dispute with former supplier Don Lee Farms concerned alleged contract breaches, disclosure of manufacturing information and food-safety concerns; the case settled in 2022 without an admission of liability or wrongdoing. Beyond Meat continues as an active public company serving retail and foodservice customers in the United States and international markets.

2025
China operations halted
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
The company announced that it would halt operations in China and undertake further workforce reductions.
2024
Beef recipe reformulated
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
Beyond Meat introduced a revised beef formula with reported reductions in salt and saturated fat.
2022
Beyond Steak and Chicken Nuggets introduced
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
The company launched Beyond Steak and released Beyond Chicken Nuggets through KFC in the United States.
2021
International manufacturing expansion
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
Beyond Meat announced or operated expanded manufacturing capacity in China and Europe and introduced additional breakfast and minced products.
2020
Direct sales and China expansion
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
The company launched an e-commerce channel and announced plant-based minced-pork products for China.
2019
Initial public offering
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
Beyond Meat became a Nasdaq-listed public company under ticker BYND.
2018
Beyond Sausage launched
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
Beyond Sausage entered the market in bratwurst, hot Italian and sweet Italian styles.
2016
Beyond Burger launched
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
The company launched its signature Beyond Burger patty.
2014
Entry into plant-based beef
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
The company introduced Beyond Beef Crumbles and began developing a plant-based burger designed to emulate beef.
2012
First product launched
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
Beyond Meat introduced its first product, originally called Chicken-Free Strips, through Whole Foods Market.
2009
Company founded
[1]Beyond Meaten.wikipedia.org
Ethan Brown founded Beyond Meat to develop plant-based foods intended to address environmental and animal-agriculture concerns.

Products and positioning

A mainstream-to-premium plant-based meat brand emphasizing meat-like taste and texture, plant protein, animal-free production and potential environmental benefits.

Plant-based beef · 2016
Beyond Burger
The company’s signature burger patty, formulated primarily around plant proteins and designed to reproduce the appearance, cooking behavior and savory texture of a beef burger. Variants and reformulations have included Beyond Burger 2.0, Beyond Burger 3.0, thinner smashable patties and stackable patties. A 2024 reformulation used avocado oil in place of canola and coconut oils and was presented as a nutritional improvement.
Plant-based ground meat · 2014
Beyond Beef and Beyond Mince
Ground and minced plant-protein products intended for recipes traditionally using minced beef, including tacos, pasta, meat sauces and other prepared dishes. Beyond Beef Crumbles represented the company’s first plant-based beef product, while Beyond Mince expanded the range in the United Kingdom in 2021.
Plant-based pork alternative · 2018
Beyond Sausage
A sausage range using plant proteins and seasonings to imitate pork sausage. Core varieties include Brat, Hot Italian and Sweet Italian. The range was developed for retail and foodservice use and was followed by breakfast-patty and link formats.
Plant-based prepared food · 2019
Beyond Meatballs
Plant-based meatballs made mainly from pea protein, rice protein and seasonings. The product first received broad attention through Subway’s Beyond Meatball Marinara sub in 2019 before entering selected U.S. grocery channels in 2020.
Plant-based breakfast food · 2020
Beyond Breakfast Sausage
Breakfast sausage patties and links designed for breakfast sandwiches and home preparation. The patty format entered selected U.S. retail stores in 2020, followed by broader distribution and a link version.
Plant-based beef alternative · 2022
Beyond Steak
Plant-based steak-style pieces made primarily with fava-bean protein and intended for sautéing, sandwiches and meal applications. TIME included the product among its Best Inventions of 2022. Later seasoned versions included chimichurri and Korean barbecue-style flavors.
Plant-based chicken alternative · 2022
Beyond Chicken Nuggets
Breaded plant-based chicken-style nuggets launched in U.S. KFC restaurants and later made available through retail. They extend Beyond Meat’s chicken platform into a familiar frozen and foodservice format.
Plant-based chicken alternative · 2012
Beyond Chicken Strips
The company’s original commercial product, first sold as Chicken-Free Strips through Whole Foods Market in 2012. It was developed using licensed University of Missouri technology and was discontinued in 2019.
Plant-based snack · 2022
Beyond Meat Jerky
A shelf-stable jerky product created with PepsiCo through The PLANeT Partnership. It launched in original, teriyaki and hot-and-spicy flavors and was discontinued in 2024.

Controversies

2019
Don Lee Farms supplier lawsuit
Former supplier Don Lee Farms sued Beyond Meat over alleged contract breaches following a change in suppliers and alleged disclosure of manufacturing information. The supplier also raised alleged food-safety concerns relating to materials processed at a Beyond Meat facility. The dispute settled in 2022, with neither party admitting liability or wrongdoing.
Source

2022KFC Beyond Chicken Nuggets
United States
KFC released Beyond Chicken Nuggets in selected U.S. restaurants, giving Beyond Meat a large national quick-service restaurant platform.
Outcome. The product later expanded into retail distribution.
Source
2021McPlant collaboration
Denmark · Sweden · United States · Selected international markets
Beyond Meat collaborated with McDonald’s on a plant-based burger and chicken substitute. Testing began in Denmark and Sweden, while a U.S. test later ended after weak sales in participating restaurants.
Outcome. International availability continued in some markets, while the U.S. test was not continued at that stage.
Source
2021The PLANeT Partnership
International
Beyond Meat and PepsiCo formed a joint venture to develop and market plant-based snacks and beverages.
Outcome. The partnership produced Beyond Meat Jerky, which was later discontinued.
Source
2019Dunkin’ Beyond Sausage launch
United States
Dunkin’ introduced breakfast sandwiches using Beyond Sausage in Manhattan, with a stated plan for broader U.S. distribution later that year.
Outcome. Expanded beyond the initial Manhattan test into wider U.S. availability.
Source
2019Beyond Meatball Marinara with Subway
United States
Subway tested a sandwich featuring Beyond Meatballs and marinara sauce, giving the brand a prominent prepared-foodservice application.
Outcome. The product helped introduce Beyond Meatballs through restaurant channels before retail rollout.
Source

Brand decisions

2025
Exit from China operationsStrategy
Background
The company continued to face demand and cost pressures in international operations.
Action taken
Beyond Meat halted operations in China and announced additional workforce reductions.
Aftermath
The decision narrowed the company’s operating footprint while restructuring continued.
Source
2024
Reformulation of beef productsOther
Background
The company responded to consumer and category concerns about nutrition, ingredient complexity and product health perception.
Action taken
Beyond Meat introduced a revised beef recipe using avocado oil instead of canola and coconut oils and reported reductions in salt and saturated fat.
Aftermath
The reformulated product received certifications referenced from the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association.
Source
2022
Workforce restructuringOther
Background
Revenue declined amid changing demand and challenging operating conditions.
Action taken
Beyond Meat announced a workforce reduction of approximately 19 percent, or about 200 employees.
Aftermath
Further reductions were announced in 2023 and 2025 as the company continued restructuring.
Source
2021
Expansion of international manufacturingStrategy
Background
International demand and distribution growth encouraged the company to build manufacturing capacity closer to overseas markets.
Action taken
Beyond Meat operated or developed facilities in China and the Netherlands to serve regional markets.
Aftermath
The company later announced that it would halt operations in China in 2025.
Source
2020
Launch of direct-to-consumer e-commerceStrategy
Background
The company sought to supplement grocery and foodservice distribution with a direct relationship with consumers.
Action taken
Beyond Meat launched an e-commerce site for direct product sales.
Aftermath
The channel became part of the company’s broader retail and distribution strategy.
Source
2019
Initial public offering on NasdaqOther
Background
After raising venture capital and expanding its retail and foodservice presence, Beyond Meat pursued a public listing to fund growth and increase access to capital.
Action taken
The company completed an IPO and began trading under the symbol BYND.
Aftermath
The offering raised approximately $240 million according to reference material and attracted unusually strong first-day investor demand.
IPO proceeds. Approximately $240 million (May 2019)
Source

Recent events

2021.10.14
Reported2021.10.15
McDonald’s announces limited US McPlant trial[3]麦当劳宣布在美国限量试售McPlant植物肉汉堡news.cnyes.com
McDonald’s said it would introduce the McPlant plant-based burger for a limited period at eight locations in Texas, Florida and other US areas in early November; the burger was developed jointly with Beyond Meat. This was described as McDonald’s first plant-based burger launch in the US.
2021.07.15
Reported2021.07.16
Beyond Meat launches a store on JD.com in China[4]Beyond Meat在中国京东平台开设线上商店scmp.com
Beyond Meat said it launched an online store in China on JD.com's e-commerce platform. The store would initially expand product availability in four major cities, with plans to reach 300 cities eventually.
2021.05.26
Reported2021.05.26
Beyond Meat and KFC China announce further collaboration[5]别样肉客与肯德基中国宣布进一步合作prnasia.com
Beyond Meat and KFC China announced further collaboration, including a plant-based version of KFC China's Niu Wu Fang product.
2021.05.24
Reported2021.05.26
Plant-based Niu Wu Fang goes on limited sale in China[5]别样肉客与肯德基中国宣布进一步合作prnasia.com
The plant-based Zhi Shi Dai Sichuan Spicy Niu Wu Fang went on limited sale at designated KFC stores in China from May 24, 2021, while supplies lasted.
2021.04.07
Reported2021.04.08
Beyond Meat opens Jiaxing production facility[6]Beyond Meat 在嘉兴开设生产设施techcrunch.com
Beyond Meat opened a production facility in Jiaxing, near Shanghai, its first end-to-end manufacturing facility outside the United States.
2021.02.26
Reported2021.02.26
Beyond Meat signs global McPlant supply agreement with McDonald’s[7]Beyond Meat与麦当劳签署McPlant全球供应协议themarketreporter.co.uk
Beyond Meat signed a three-year global strategic agreement with McDonald’s to become the main supplier of the patty for the McPlant plant-based burger; the companies will also explore co-developing other plant-based menu items.
2020.12.18
FiveStar Gourmet Foods partners with Beyond Meat[8]FiveStar Gourmet Foods 与 Beyond Meat 合作theproducenews.com
FiveStar Gourmet Foods partnered with Beyond Meat to bring more salad protein choices to consumers and feature plant-based protein in its prepared food categories.
2020.11.10
McDonald’s announced plans for McPlant[9]麦当劳宣布计划推出 McPlantalgemeiner.com
McDonald’s announced plans to introduce a McPlant line of products featuring a plant-based patty co-created by Beyond Meat; the source describes this as a plan, not a completed launch.
2020.09.25
Reported2020.09.25
Beyond Mince becomes available at Apolónia in Portugal[10]Beyond Mince在葡萄牙Apolónia上架theportugalnews.com
Beyond Mince, a plant-based minced-meat alternative, became available at Apolónia in Portugal.
2020.08.27
Reported2020.08.27
Beyond Meat launches direct-to-consumer platform[11]Beyond Meat推出直面消费者平台vegnews.com
Beyond Meat launched an e-commerce platform that lets customers order its plant-based meat products for direct delivery.

Sources30 sources

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