Beyond Meat® Reports First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

First Quarter 2020 Net Revenues Increased 141% Year-Over-Year to $97.1 Million

Gross Profit Improved to $37.7 Million or 38.8% Gross Margin

Net income of $1.8 Million or $0.03 per Common Diluted Share

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND) (“Beyond Meat” or “the Company”), a leader in plant-based meat, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 28, 2020.

First Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights Compared to Prior Year Period

• Net revenues were $97.1 million, an increase of 141%, compared to net revenues of $40.2 million in the year-ago period;
  
  
• Gross profit was $37.7 million, or 38.8% of net revenues, compared to gross profit of $10.8 million, or 26.8% of net revenues, in the year-ago period;
  
  
• Net income was $1.8 million, or $0.03 per common diluted share, compared to net loss of $6.6 million, or $0.95 per common share, in the year-ago period; and
  
  
• Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, was $12.7 million compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $2.1 million in the year-ago period.

See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for how Beyond Meat defines Adjusted EBITDA and the financial table that accompanies this release for a reconciliation of this measure to the closest comparable GAAP measure.

“I am proud of our first quarter financial results which exceeded our expectations despite an increasingly challenging operating environment due to the COVID-19 health crisis," said Ethan Brown, Beyond Meat's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The health and safety of our employees and their families is our top priority and we have implemented a series of measures to minimize risks while supporting business continuity. Among other things, these include the creation of an internal task force to actively monitor new developments and maintain a constant dialog with health officials; implementation of various physical distancing and preventative hygienic protocols within our facilities; and increased frequency of our inventory reviews to ensure sufficient floor stocks of key inputs to mitigate against business disruption. During this unprecedented time, we remain steadfast in our resolve to continue to provide great-tasting plant-based meats to consumers, to solidify our support to our retail and foodservice customers, and to continue to lead the global plant-based meat movement.”

First Quarter 2020

Net revenues increased 141% to $97.1 million in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $40.2 million in the first quarter of 2019. Growth in net revenues in the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to an increase in volume sold, partially offset by lower net price per pound. Growth in volume sold was driven mainly by expansion in the number of distribution points both domestically and abroad, higher sales velocities at existing retail customers, and contribution from new products introduced subsequent to the first quarter of 2019. During the quarter, specifically in the latter half of March, the Company experienced a reduction in sales to foodservice customers as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis.

Net revenues by channel (unaudited):

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company began presenting net revenues by geography and distribution channel. Prior period amounts have been recast to conform to the current period presentation. Please see the “Presentation of Net Revenues by Channel” at the end of this release for additional information and a recast of the Company’s 2019 quarterly net revenues by channel.

Gross profit was $37.7 million, or 38.8% of net revenues, in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $10.8 million, or 26.8% of net revenues, in the year-ago period. The increase in gross profit and gross margin was primarily due to an increase in the volume of products sold, production efficiency improvements, direct materials and packaging input cost savings, and direct labor efficiencies in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the year-ago period.

Income from operations in the first quarter of 2020 was $1.8 million compared to loss from operations of $5.3 million in the first quarter of the prior year. The improvement in income from operations in the first quarter of 2020 was driven by the year-over-year increase in gross profit, partially offset by higher operating expenses primarily to support increased personnel levels and higher administrative costs associated with being a public company, higher share-based compensation expense, increases in the Company’s marketing initiatives, higher restructuring expenses, and continued investment in innovation.

Net income was $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2020 compared to net loss of $6.6 million in the year-ago period. Improvement in net income was primarily the result of the increase in net revenues and gross profit, as well as operating expense leverage, compared to the first quarter of 2019.

Adjusted EBITDA was $12.7 million, or 13.1% of net revenues, in the first quarter of 2020 compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $2.1 million, or (5.3)% of net revenues, in the first quarter of 2019. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” and is reconciled to net income (loss), the closest comparable GAAP measure, at the end of this release.

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Mark Nelson commented, “We are pleased with the Company’s first quarter results even as we began to navigate headwinds stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic late in the quarter. We maintained our solid top-line momentum while driving our best-ever performance in production unit cost per pound. Despite near-term challenges ahead stemming from the ongoing global health crisis, our improving operating results and continued strength of our balance sheet give us added confidence about the Company’s long-term financial position.”

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance was $246.4 million as of March 28, 2020 and total outstanding debt was $30.6 million. Net cash used in operating activities was $17.2 million for the quarter ended March 28, 2020, compared to $13.3 million for the prior year period. Capital expenditures totaled $12.4 million for the quarter ended March 28, 2020 compared to $3.8 million for the prior year period. The increase in capital expenditures was primarily driven by growth, as the Company continued to invest in capital production equipment related to capacity expansion initiatives.

On April 22, 2020, the Company announced that it has entered into a new $150 million five-year revolving credit facility, replacing its previous secured credit arrangements. The new credit facility, which includes an accordion feature for up to an additional $200 million, increases the Company’s borrowing capacity, lowers its cost of capital, and enables greater strategic flexibility for future global growth initiatives.

2020 Outlook

The Company continues to expect to benefit from food-at-home consumer demand in its retail channel, however, given the ongoing uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the magnitude and duration of the impact to the foodservice channel, in particular, the Company is suspending its 2020 outlook previously provided on February 27, 2020 until further notice.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss these results with additional comments and details today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern, 1:30 p.m. Pacific. The conference call webcast will be available live over the Internet through the “Investors” section of the Company’s website at www.beyondmeat.com. Investors interested in participating in the live call can dial 866-221-1171 from the U.S. or 270-215-9602 from international locations. A telephone replay will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes through Wednesday, May 20, 2020, by dialing 855-859-2056 from the U.S., or 404-537-3406 from international locations, and entering confirmation code 5337749.

About Beyond Meat

Beyond Meat, Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND) is one of the fastest growing food companies in the United States, offering a portfolio of revolutionary plant-based meats. Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat has a mission of building meat directly from plants, an innovation that enables consumers to experience the taste, texture and other sensory attributes of popular animal-based meat products while enjoying the nutritional and environmental benefits of eating its plant-based meat products. Beyond Meat’s brand commitment, Eat What You Love™, represents a strong belief that by eating its portfolio of plant-based meats, consumers can enjoy more, not less, of their favorite meals, and by doing so, help address concerns related to human health, climate change, resource conservation and animal welfare. Beyond Meat’s portfolio of plant-based proteins are sold at approximately 94,000 retail and foodservice outlets in 75 countries worldwide as of March 28, 2020. Visit www.BeyondMeat.com and follow @BeyondMeat, #BeyondBurger and #GoBeyond on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release constitute “forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on management's current opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions and projections regarding financial performance, prospects, future events and future results, including ongoing uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the magnitude and duration of the pandemic and, in particular, the impact to the foodservice channel, growth trends, our international expansion plans, market share, new and existing customers and expense trends, among other matters, and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “outlook,” “potential,” “continue,” “likely,” “will,” “would” and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, not historical fact, and involve certain risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which or whether, such performance or results will be achieved.  Actual results, levels of activity, performance, achievements and events could differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. While Beyond Meat believes that its assumptions are reasonable, it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible to anticipate all factors that could affect actual results. There are many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements made herein including, but not limited to, the effects of global outbreaks of pandemics or contagious diseases or fear of such outbreak, such as the recent COVID-19 outbreak, including on our ability to expand in new geographic markets or the timing of such expansion efforts; estimates of our expenses, future revenues, capital requirements and our needs for additional financing; our ability to effectively manage our growth; our estimates of the size of market opportunities; our ability to effectively expand our manufacturing and production capacity; our ability to accurately forecast demand for our products and manage our inventory; our ability to successfully enter new geographic markets, manage our international expansion and comply with any applicable laws and regulations; the effects of increased competition from our market competitors and new market entrants; the success of our marketing initiatives and the ability to grow brand awareness, maintain, protect and enhance our brand, attract and retain new customers and grow our market share; our ability to attract, maintain and effectively expand our relationships with key strategic foodservice partners; our ability to attract and retain our suppliers, distributors, co-manufacturers and customers; our ability to procure sufficient high quality, raw materials to manufacture our products; the availability of pea protein that meets our standards; our ability to diversify the protein sources used for our products; the volatility associated with ingredient and packaging costs; real or perceived quality or health issues with our products or other issues that adversely affect our brand and reputation; changes in the tastes and preferences of our consumers; our ability to accurately predict taste preferences and purchasing habits of consumers in new geographic markets; our ability to accurately predict consumer trends and demand and successfully introduce and commercialize new products and improve existing products; significant disruption in, or breach in security of our information technology systems and resultant interruptions in service and any related impact on our reputation; the attraction and retention of qualified employees and key personnel; the effects of natural or man-made catastrophic events particularly involving our or any of our co‑manufacturers’ manufacturing facilities or our suppliers’ facilities; the impact of marketing campaigns aimed at generating negative publicity regarding our products, brand and plant‑based industry category; the effectiveness of our internal controls; changes in laws and government regulation affecting our business, including Food and Drug Administration governmental regulation and state regulation; changes in laws, regulations or policies of governmental agencies or regulators relating to the labeling of our products; the impact of adverse economic conditions; the financial condition of, and our relationships with our suppliers, co-manufacturers, distributors, retailers and foodservice customers; and their future decisions regarding their relationships with us; the ability of our suppliers and co‑manufacturers to comply with food safety, environmental or other laws and regulations; seasonality; the sufficiency of our cash and cash equivalents to meet our liquidity needs and service our indebtedness; outcomes of legal or administrative proceedings; foreign exchange fluctuations; our, our suppliers’ and our co-manufacturers’ ability to protect our proprietary technology and intellectual property adequately; and the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 28, 2020 to be filed with the SEC, as well as other factors described from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC.  All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release. Beyond Meat undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement because of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Availability of Information on Beyond Meat’s Website and Social Media Channels

Investors and others should note that Beyond Meat routinely announces material information to investors and the marketplace using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the Beyond Meat Investor Relations website. We also intend to use certain social media channels as a means of disclosing information about us and our products to consumers, our customers, investors and the public (e.g., @BeyondMeat, #BeyondBurger and #GoBeyond on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).  The information posted on social media channels is not incorporated by reference in this press release or in any other report or document we file with the SEC. While not all of the information that the Company posts to the Beyond Meat Investor Relations website or to social media accounts is of a material nature, some information could be deemed to be material. Accordingly, the Company encourages investors, the media, and others interested in Beyond Meat to review the information that it shares at the “Investors” link located at the bottom of our webpage at https://investors.beyondmeat.com/investor-relations and to sign up for and regularly follow our social media accounts. Users may automatically receive email alerts and other information about the Company when enrolling an email address by visiting "Request Email Alerts" in the "Investors" section of Beyond Meat’s website at https://investors.beyondmeat.com/investor-relations.

Contacts

Media:

Shira Zackai
917-715-8522
szackai@beyondmeat.com

Investors:

Katie Turner
646-277-1228
Katie.turner@icrinc.com

BEYOND MEAT, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)

BEYOND MEAT, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data) (unaudited)

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Beyond Meat uses the following non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its operating performance and in its financial communications:

“Adjusted EBITDA” is defined as net income (loss) adjusted to exclude, when applicable, income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, restructuring expenses, share-based compensation expense, inventory losses from termination of an exclusive supply agreement with a co-manufacturer, costs of termination of an exclusive supply agreement with the same co-manufacturer, expenses primarily associated with the conversion of our convertible notes, and remeasurement of our preferred stock warrant liability and common stock warrant liability, and Other, net, including investment income.

“Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net revenues” is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues.

We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net revenues because they are important measures upon which our management assesses our operating performance. We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net revenues as key performance measures because we believe these measures facilitate operating performance comparison from period‑to-period by excluding potential differences primarily caused by the impact of restructuring, asset depreciation and amortization, non-cash share-based compensation and non-operational charges including the impact to cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses related to the termination of an exclusive co-manufacturing agreement, early extinguishment of convertible notes and remeasurement of warrant liability, and investment income. Because Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net revenues facilitate internal comparisons of our historical operating performance on a more consistent basis, we also use these measures for our business planning purposes. In addition, we believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net revenues are widely used by investors, securities analysts, ratings agencies and other parties in evaluating companies in our industry as a measure of our operational performance.

There are a number of limitations related to the use of Adjusted EBITDA rather than net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Some of these limitations are:

• Adjusted EBITDA excludes depreciation and amortization expense and, although these are non-cash expenses, the assets being depreciated may have to be replaced in the future increasing our cash requirements;
• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect interest expense, or the cash required to service our debt, which reduces cash available to us;
• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect income tax payments that reduce cash available to us;
• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect restructuring expenses that reduce cash available to us;
• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect share-based compensation expenses and therefore does not include all of our compensation costs;
• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect other income (expense), including investment income, that may increase or decrease cash available to us; and
• other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information provided in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures may not be computed in the same manner as similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The following table presents the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its most comparable GAAP measure, net income (loss), as reported (unaudited):

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Presentation of Net Revenues by Channel

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company began presenting net revenues by geography and distribution channel as follows:

Net revenues from sales to the Canadian market, previously included with net revenues from sales to the U.S. market, have been reclassified to International net revenues. Prior period amounts have been recast to conform to the current period presentation. The foregoing change in presentation had no impact on the Company's net revenues, results of operations or cash flows.

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company also eliminated the presentation of net revenues by platform as it is no longer material to an understanding of the Company's financial results. Previously, the Company presented net revenues by platform for its “ready-to-cook” or fresh platform, and “ready-to-heat” or frozen platform. The Company discontinued its frozen chicken strip product in the first quarter of 2019. Gross revenues from sales of products in the Company's frozen platform were 5.5% of gross revenues in the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to 16.3% of gross revenues in the year ended December 31, 2018.

The following table presents the Company’s 2019 quarterly net revenues by channel (unaudited):