Kim Kardashian to promote Beyond Meat as new 'chief taste consultant'

Beyond Meat Inc. signed celebrity and influencer Kim Kardashian as its “chief taste consultant,” giving the plant-based burger maker a powerful ally as it seeks to turn around its performance. 

Kardashian, who often posts photos of her well-stocked refrigerator on social media, said she will share her favorite Beyond Meat products in the company’s newsletter. In a post on Instagram, she said she was inspired by the company’s mission. In a statement with Beyond Meat, she said its products benefit “both people and the planet.” 

She will be featured in a new Beyond Meat advertising campaign. The company cited her “impeccable taste in food, fashion, beauty and more.” 

Kardashian’s involvement could help the embattled alt-meat maker, which has struggled to maintain its earlier pace of growth amid heightened competition and questions about the products’ appeal and healthfulness. Beyond Meat shares have plunged about 80% in the last 12 months and are currently below what they priced at in the company’s initial public offering in 2019. 

Beyond Meat shares fell 5.3% at 10:26 a.m. in New York trading, reversing an earlier gain. 

In Kardashian, the company has a valuable partner who, along with her family members, is involved in several billion-dollar consumer brands. Her underwear label, Skims, earlier this year saw its valuation skyrocket to $3.2 billion. Her endorsement can single-handedly make a product successful, with her influence extending deep into the apparel and cosmetics industries. 

Her ability to raise a company’s profile will be welcome for Beyond Meat, which is working to tame a costly production process for its new jerky product and waning consumer curiosity about its products. In its most recent earnings, Beyond Meat said its jerky boosted sales at retailers -- but sales of other products slipped. 

Kardashian joins Beyond Meat ambassadors such as Kevin Hart, Shay Mitchell, Snoop Dogg and Liza Koshy.