5 Insightful Analyst Questions From Beyond Meat's Q2 Earnings Call

Beyond Meat’s second quarter was marked by ongoing challenges in the plant-based protein market, with results falling short of Wall Street’s expectations and prompting a negative market reaction. Management attributed underperformance to U.S. retail softness, delays in new distribution, and the lingering impact of moving products from refrigerated to frozen aisles. CEO Ethan Brown described the results as “disappointing,” highlighting persistent pricing issues and negative perceptions of the plant-based meat category. The company also cited nonrecurring expenses and product mix shifts that further pressured margins.

Is now the time to buy BYND? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention.

Our Top 5 Analyst Questions From Beyond Meat’s Q2 Earnings Call

• Benjamin M. Theurer (Barclays): Asked how Beyond Meat plans to grow top-line revenue while reducing operating expenses, given ongoing category softness. CEO Ethan Brown outlined steps to rebuild U.S. retail distribution and emphasized targeted pricing and brand block strategies as key levers for stabilization.
• Benjamin M. Theurer (Barclays): Inquired about cash burn and liquidity, referencing the convertible note maturity in two years. CFO Lubi Kutua explained that recent cash outflows included one-time items such as legal settlements, and that underlying cash burn is being targeted for reduction through operational changes.
• Alexia Jane Burland Howard (Bernstein): Sought clarity on international foodservice declines and prospects for recovery. Brown acknowledged recent softness, citing promotional lapses and macroeconomic factors, and anticipates continued pressure in this channel for the foreseeable future.
• Alexia Jane Burland Howard (Bernstein): Probed how Beyond Meat can re-engage lapsed flexitarian consumers. Brown argued that value packs, improved product macros, and a strategic shift beyond animal protein replication could help win back broader consumer interest over time.
• Robert Bain Moskow (TD Cowen): Asked about the effectiveness of past workforce reductions and the focus of the interim Chief Transformation Officer. Brown explained that in-house production changes, not headquarters hiring, drove recent headcount shifts, and that the transformation officer’s mandate is to align operational footprint and margins to current revenue levels.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In the coming quarters, our analysts will closely monitor (1) progress on Beyond Meat’s U.S. retail distribution rebuild and the ability to establish brand blocks in key chains, (2) execution and measurable impact of cost-cutting and margin expansion initiatives under the new Chief Transformation Officer, and (3) consumer and retailer response to new product launches and the expanded Beyond brand strategy. The evolution of consumer sentiment and price competitiveness versus animal protein will also be crucial signposts.

Beyond Meat currently trades at $2.75, down from $2.93 just before the earnings. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? The answer lies in our full research report (it’s free).

The Best Stocks for High-Quality Investors

Trump’s April 2025 tariff bombshell triggered a massive market selloff, but stocks have since staged an impressive recovery, leaving those who panic sold on the sidelines.

Take advantage of the rebound by checking out our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025).

Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Exlservice (+354% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.