Beyond Meat Suspends Chief Operating Officer After Arrest For Allegedly Biting Man’s Nose

Topline

Beyond Meat suspended its chief operating officer Doug Ramsey, the company announced Tuesday, after the executive was arrested and charged Saturday with biting a man’s nose during a fight after a football game in Arkansas.

Key Facts

Key Background

The incident occurred Saturday at a parking garage near University of Arkansas’ Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville after a game. Ramsey, 53, became angry when another driver cut in front of him and touched the front passenger wheel of his car, the Associated Press reported, citing the police report. Ramsey allegedly got out of his vehicle and punched through the other driver’s back windshield. When the other driver got out of his car, Ramsey allegedly pulled the driver close and began punching him and bit the tip of his nose, exposing his flesh, the police report said. Ramsey also allegedly threatened to kill the other driver, witnesses and the driver told police. The executive was charged with terroristic threatening and battery in the third degree. He was released Sunday after posting $11,085 in bail, and has a court date in October over the charges, according to court records. Ramsey has been with Beyond Meat since December, and spent over 30 years at Tyson Foods.

Tangent

The plant-based meat-alternative company’s stock has fallen dramatically over the last year, to $16 on Tuesday from about $195 in October 2021, thanks to inflation, changing demands caused by the pandemic and increased competition. This summer, McDonald’s ended a U.S.-based test using Beyond Meat’s burgers in its restaurants, and did not announce plans to make them permanent staples of the menu.

Further Reading

Beyond Meat executive charged with biting man in fight (Associated Press)

Beyond Meat suspends operating chief after arrest for allegedly biting man’s nose (CNBC)

Why McDonald’s McPlant Became a McFlop (Bon Appetit)