Answer

QUESTION

Beyond Meat 

What are Beyond Meat’s competitive disadvantages?
Tips:
Doesn’t have to introduce the company, start with the disadvantages directly.
The following are the four disadvantages I came up already. Just expand in paragraphs. ( like an essay style, not numbered)
1. Expensive
2. Doesn’t meet expectations as a meat alternative – Doesn’t taste as good as real meat
3. It is not meat anyway
4. Highly processed food – not whole food. focus on the nutrition part because it not all organic or completely fresh
“Chipotle says plant-based meat like Beyond Meat and its competitor Impossible Foods are too processed for its menu (Settembre).

ANSWER

Beyond Meat Competitive Disadvantages

Beyond Meat has a number of disadvantages it faces. First, company’s products are very expensive compared to meat-based and other plant-based meat-producing companies. As one of the vast companies catering to the 2% vegetarian population with plant-based meats, Beyond Meat’s products entering the market through distribution will face high costs that include booking shelf spaces, production, and expensive investments dedicated to market research. These expenses will be factored into pricing, making Beyond Meat’s products expensive. The 2% of consumers will look into less expensive competitor products like Impossible Foods.

Second, as meat alternatives, Beyond Meat products do not meet the expectations of meat alternatives. The plant-based meat products are manufactured, shaped, and taste like real meats. They also offer nutritional benefits just like real meat. However, the products do not taste as good as real meat. This is seen with popular restaurants and people in the US preferring real meat burgers to Beyond Meat products. This reduces their sales bringing down their competitive advantage.

Third, Beyond Meat’s products are highly processed. Focusing on nutritional benefits, the processing of these plant-based meat products has additives and freezing, canning, and drying processes, resulting in increased sodium levels and reduced nutrients and fats that pose health concerns like cardiovascular problems to consumers. Real meat consumers can take up meat with fats or lean meat steaks without any fats, resulting in fewer chances of cardiovascular diseases.

Last, Beyond Meat’s products do not meet consumer needs. Because of the over-processing, there are reduced options that are focused on beef meat substitutes. Although this may be fit, part of the 2% vegan population in the US may need options for lamb and seafood. These substitutes have not yet been manufactured, resulting in less satisfaction of consumer needs. Consumers may choose not to buy Beyond Meat’s products, lowering its competitive advantage.