Beyond Meat

In 1931, John Harvey Kellogg, a member of the Seventh-day Adventists, developed Nuttose, a peanut-based 'meatless meat' that gained popularity in sanitariums.

In the late '90s, McDonald’s introduced nonmeat burgers in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, and India. The following year, they launched a US version of these burgers.

Quorn, a meat substitute brand, faced criticism from the American Mushroom Institute for claiming fusarium as a mushroom. As a result, Quorn removed the phrase 'mushroom in origin' from its packaging.

Beyond Meat, Inc. was founded in 2009 by Ethan Brown with the mission of combating climate change. The company initially launched its first product, Beyond Chicken Strips, in 2012.

Kleiner Perkins was the sole institutional investor in the first financing round of Beyond Meat in 2011, when plant-based meat alternatives were not yet a mainstream consumer trend. Recognizing the potential of Beyond Meat's technology in revolutionizing the food and agriculture industry, Kleiner Perkins decided to invest in the high-risk, high-reward venture.

In 2012, Beyond Meat introduced its first plant-based product, marking the beginning of its journey to revolutionize the food industry with sustainable alternatives to meat.

In 2014, Beyond Meat announced the development of the Beyond Burger, a plant-based patty made from pea and mung bean protein that closely resembled real beef, even appearing to 'bleed'. The product was in the final stages of completion.

The Beyond Burger, a plant-based patty by Beyond Meat made from pea and mung bean protein, was officially launched in February 2015 after the initial announcement in 2014.

In October 2016, Tyson Foods acquired a 5% stake in Beyond Meat, a plant-based meat company, but later sold its 6.5% stake in April 2019 before the company's IPO.

Beyond Meat had a sizzling initial public offering on the Nasdaq, with shares surging 163% on the first day of trading. Investors saw Beyond Meat as a leader in the plant-based food movement.

In November 2020, Beyond Meat partnered with McDonald's to develop the McPlant option, a plant-based patty and chicken substitute, which was tested in Denmark and Sweden starting from February 2021.

Beyond Meat filed its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2019 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 12, 2019. The filing includes information on risk factors and other relevant details for investors.

Beyond Meat launched its Beyond Burger in 500 supermarket locations in France in partnership with Casino Group brands. The plant-based burger is designed to replicate the look, taste, and satisfaction of a beef burger.

Beyond Meat made history by opening its first major production facility in China, becoming the first plant-based multinational company to do so. The move signifies the company's expansion into the Chinese market.

In January 2021, Taco Bell partnered with Beyond Meat to offer plant-based protein options on their menu, initially as a test and later as a permanent choice.

In February 2021, Beyond Meat formed partnerships with McDonald's and Yum Brands to introduce new plant-based options like the McPlant Burger and plant-protein toppings for various dishes.

In September 2021, Beyond Meat announced the retail launch of their vegan chicken tenders, including availability at Walmart stores.

Beyond Meat launched Beyond Jerky in three flavors - original, teriyaki, and hot & spicy, on March 23rd, 2022. This marks Beyond Meat's first shelf-stable product, expanding its availability to various retail outlets.

In November 2023, Beyond Meat announced further layoffs due to continued sales decline and a disappointing quarter, with sales dropping approximately 9% in Q3 2023.

Beyond Meat experienced a significant slump in demand, particularly in the U.S. market, with retail sales dropping 23% year over year. The company also faced challenges in its foodservice channel, leading to mounting losses and concerns about its path to profitability.