Beyond Meat says it’s not headed to bankruptcy, denouncing the claims made in The Street as “unequivocally false and irresponsible.” Beyond Meat, a pioneer in the plant-based food sector, made it clear that the report is erroneous, that it has not filed, and does not plan to file, for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. On the contrary, it’s got new products and it’s rebranding to “Beyond.”

Watch our exclusive UNCHAINEDTV tour with Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown from earlier this year, where he reveals his vision for the future of food.

Hollywood, CA, August 18, 2025  — Beyond Meat has responded to an extremely hostile article published in The Street that reads like a meat industry diatribe. And, says Beyond Meat, the “headed to Chapter 11” headline is erroneous and irresponsible. Responding to the screed, Beyond Meat emphasized that it is not headed to bankruptcy court. On the contrary, the company remains committed to reshaping the future of protein through innovative, plant-based alternatives.

The mean-spirited piece comes at a critical time for the company and the wider alt-protein industry. As one of the most recognized names in plant-based meat, Beyond Meat’s financial health is closely tied to public perception of the entire movement. Any suggestion of collapse risks shaking confidence in plant-based options that were created to reduce reliance on animal agriculture. It’s worth noting that, according to in-depth reporting in The Guardian, the animal agriculture industry has been engaged in a fierce public relations war against plant-based alternatives for several years.

A New Name: Beyond

In a curious bit of timing, the anti-vegan propaganda comes as the company is also making headlines for its new name: Beyond. As reported in Fast Company, Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown is undertaking a company-wide overhaul and dropping the word “meat” while going with simplicity. So, from now on, consumers can look beyond the tabloid wars and into the freezer section for Beyond.  The article notes, “With this launch, Beyond Meat is becoming merely Beyond and turning its focus away from only mimicking animal proteins to letting plant-based proteins speak for themselves. The radical move is cultural, agricultural, and financial, and Brown wasn’t shy in discussing how Beyond now lets the company compete across the grocery store…”

Beyond’s New Chapter

“Beyond” has also taken steps to optimize operations by hiring restructuring specialist John Boken as interim Chief Transformation Officer, tasked with improving margins and working toward profitability by late 2026.

 Why the Plant-Based Shift Matters for Animals

Advocates stress that a big picture look at plant-based alternatives reveals a huge success story. The growth of plant-based food options represents a broad shift away from animal products, sparing animals from intensive confinement and slaughter while giving consumers more compassionate and sustainable choices that are also healthier, with zero cholesterol and less saturated fat.

“Financial ups and downs are part of any industry, but what really matters are the lives spared,” said Heather Dahman, vegan lifestyle coach with The Veg Academy. “Every vegan burger sold means fewer animals suffering in factory farms. That’s the real bottom line.”

And, the plant-based movement continues to grow. A 2024 Good Food Institute report found that U.S. plant-based food sales rose by double digits despite inflation and economic uncertainty. That growth is being fueled not just by legacy brands, but also by an expanding ecosystem of startups and restaurant chains introducing new vegan options.

Industry Context and Competition

Beyond Meat was one of the first companies to popularize realistic plant-based meats, launching its Beyond Burger nationwide in 2016. The company’s early success spurred competitors, including Impossible Foods and major meat producers like Tyson, to invest in their own alternative protein lines.

But, as competition has intensified, consumer preferences have also shifted. Some shoppers are looking for simpler, whole-food alternatives. Recognizing this, Beyond has announced that it’s launching Beyond Ground, a new product made with just four ingredients. The company is confident this new offering will hit the spot with health-conscious consumers.

Inside Beyond’s Vision for the Future

While Beyond Meat – like a lot of groundbreaking companies – faces its share of challenges, the company continues to emphasize its long-term viability and its vision for a plant-based future. In an exclusive UNCHAINEDTV video, Beyond Meat gave our team a rare tour of its state-of-the-art facility in Southern California. CEO Ethan Brown spoke with host Jane Velez-Mitchell about how the company is working to “do an end-run around animals” by creating delicious, healthy meat directly from plants.

Brown explained that just a handful of simple building blocks make up what we know as meat and that these same components can be sourced from plants. This approach, he said, benefits human health, the environment, and, most importantly, the animals. Watch the full tour and conversation below:

Exclusive UNCHAINEDTV video: Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown gives host Jane Velez-Mitchell a tour of the company’s Southern California facility in early 2025 and explains his vision for creating meat directly from plants which is better for people, the planet, and the animals.

The Future of Food

Analysts note that, while Beyond Meat faces some challenges, its ongoing restructuring along with product innovation is boosting investor confidence. As Heather Dahman emphasized, “The real news is that more people than ever are discovering that plant-based eating is better for animals, the planet, and their health. That trend isn’t going away.”  The shift toward compassionate, cruelty-free eating continues.