Beyond Meat has announced that the Beyond Burger is launching at over 800 Co-op convenience stores and supermarkets across the UK.
The burger, which has won several awards including Which’s Best Vegan Burger 2023, will be available in the frozen aisle. It contains 19g of protein and is cholesterol-free.
A recent life cycle analysis indicates that the Beyond Burger requires 97% less land, 97% less water, and 37% less non-renewable energy than a comparable beef burger, while also generating 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
“Just in time for the warmer weather and BBQ season, we’re delighted to be extending our tasty Beyond Burger into Co-op stores across the UK,” said Lee Crane, Regional Sales Manager UK at Beyond Meat. “Local and convenient, the new launch will give even more Brits the opportunity to enjoy plant-based meat and discover the benefits of it being better for you and kinder on the planet.”
Sales exceed expectations
The launch follows a recent surge in Beyond Meat’s stock value, after Q4 earnings exceeded expectations. Though the company still saw a decrease in revenue compared to the previous year, both domestic and international channels performed better than predicted by analysts. Beyond Meat also significantly reduced its operational spending in 2023, indicating that profitability may not be far away.
Europe continues to be Beyond Meat’s strongest market, with both retail and food service sales rising in the region. Demand for the company’s burgers and nuggets is particularly strong at McDonald’s in Europe, whereas McDonald’s US does not offer these products.
Last month, Beyond Meat announced an overhaul of its recipe to improve taste, nutrition, and ingredient transparency. This includes a 60% reduction in saturated fat, a 20% decrease in sodium, and a switch from coconut and canola oils to avocado oil. The new recipe will debut in US grocery stores this spring.
“Beyond IV represents a transformative step forward in delivering plant-based nutrition to the consumer in the form of meat,” said Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown. “The development of the new products occurred within an ecosystem of leading medical and nutrition experts and [was] designed to meet the standards of national health organizations to create a product that delivers the taste, satisfaction, and utility of 80/20 beef – yet is demonstrably healthier.”
