The Disturbing Reason Beyond Meat's COO Was Arrested
Beyond Meat's mission statement is both clear and high-minded. They claim: "By shifting from animal to plant-based meat, we can positively affect the planet, the environment, the climate and even ourselves. After all, the positive choices we make every day — no matter how small — can have a great impact on our world." And while working to produce nutritious food that has a smaller environmental impact is indeed a noble endeavor, Beyond Meat hasn't had the easiest road as of late.
In August of 2022, Beyond Meat's earnings reports revealed dismal news for the plant-based business. CNBC reported that the company had revised its revenue forecast downward for 2022 and announced it would reduce its workforce by 4%. Food Navigator reported that Beyond Meat posted a $97.1 million net loss. While a variety of causes explain why the company's revenues have declined, one reason may be because plant-based meat substitutes haven't been entirely successful with consumers who don't care for the products' mouthfeel. As it turns out, Beyond Meat may wish the company had reduced its workforce a bit more than 4%, based on the September 17 arrest of the company's Chief Operating Officer, Doug Ramsey.
Why was Beyond Meat COO Doug Ramsey arrested?
Doug Ramsey, COO of Beyond Meat since December 2021, was arrested for allegedly biting a man's nose in a violent dispute following a University of Arkansas football game (via CNBC). A preliminary police report indicates Ramsey got out of his vehicle in a parking garage near Razorback Stadium when another vehicle made contact with his car's front tire. Police report that Ramsey is alleged to have punched through the vehicle's back windshield, punched the vehicle's driver, bitten his nose, and threatened to kill the man. The police report indicates that Ramsey bit the man's nose, "ripping the flesh on the tip of the nose," and a witness confirmed hearing Ramsey's threat to kill the man. USA Today said the police officer who responded found "two males with bloody faces" upon arriving at the scene.
Doug Ramsey was arrested on Saturday, September 17, 2022, and charged with terroristic threatening and third-degree battery. He spent Saturday night in the Washington County, Arkansas, jail before being released on Sunday on a $10,000 bond (per USA Today). Neither CNBC nor USA Today had received comments or answers to queries from Beyond Meat or Doug Ramsey following Ramsey's arrest.