Before the Butcher
Before the Butcher is a US plant-based protein company that develops burgers, pepperoni, chorizo, and prepared plant-based items for foodservice operators, private label brand customers, and retail channels. It was acquired by Jensen Meat Co. in December 2025.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersIrvine, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Before the Butcher does
Before the Butcher is a US-based plant-based protein company that develops and manufactures meat alternative products for foodservice operators, private label brand customers, and retail consumers. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in San Diego, California (with firmographic registration in Irvine), operating with a headcount in the 11-50 range. Its product portfolio spans plant-based burgers, pepperoni, chorizo, fajitas, beef and vegetable blends, prepared items such as Italian orzo soup, and specialty SKUs like TacoCado and wood-fired pepperoni pizza toppings. Core technology centers on proprietary plant-based protein formulation and processing capabilities designed to deliver meat-like taste and texture across diverse culinary applications.
The company runs a B2B sales-led go-to-market model across three primary revenue streams: foodservice product sales to restaurants and commercial kitchens, private label manufacturing for brands seeking custom flavors and exclusive designs, and branded retail distribution. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, consistent with a custom B2B and specialty CPG model. Distribution is domestic-only across direct foodservice sales, retail grocery, OEM/private label channels, and a small direct-to-consumer merchandise storefront. Marketing relies on organic social, content/recipe marketing, email, and event participation rather than paid performance channels.
In December 2025, Before the Butcher was acquired by Jensen Meat Co. and integrated into its plant-based division to leverage manufacturing synergies and scale. The business continues to operate under the Before the Butcher brand as a subsidiary within Jensen Meat Co.'s plant-based operating unit. No prior funding rounds, patents, or pre-acquisition ownership details are disclosed.
Before the Butcher firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Before the Butcher
- Legal name
- BEFORETHEBUTCHER INC.
- Website
- https://btbfoods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Before the Butcher is a US plant-based protein company that develops burgers, pepperoni, chorizo, and prepared plant-based items for foodservice operators, private label brand customers, and retail channels. It was acquired by Jensen Meat Co. in December 2025.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Before the Butcher industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Plant-Based Protein Products
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311)
- SIC
- Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013), Food And Kindred Products (2000), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Plant-Based Meat Manufacturers (End-to-End Brands) (AFANAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Plant-Based & Alternative Proteins (Packaged) (CRADAAAH), Plant-Based Meat & Seafood Analogues Manufacturing (AFAKAGAA)
Keywords
Where Before the Butcher is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Irvine
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Before the Butcher business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Product Sales - Foodservice: Sale of plant-based protein products to restaurants and foodservice operators
- Private Label Manufacturing: Custom plant-based protein solutions for brands wanting their own private label products, including custom flavors and exclusive designs
- Retail Products: Sale of branded plant-based products through retail channels
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Before the Butcher product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Before the Butcher manufactures and sells plant-based protein products including burgers, pepperoni, chorizo, beef and vegetable blends, fajitas, soups, and specialty items such as TacoCado. The company supplies foodservice operators and retailers with branded plant-based meats, and provides custom private label manufacturing services to other brands seeking proprietary plant-based formulations, flavors, and product designs.
Product overview
Before the Butcher is a plant-based protein company offering a portfolio of branded consumer products alongside private label manufacturing services. The product line includes plant-based burger patties, pepperoni, chorizo, and prepared food items such as soups and fajitas. The company operates dual sales channels: retail (consumer packaged goods) and foodservice (restaurants and commercial kitchens). Private label services enable other brands to develop exclusive plant-based proteins with custom formulations, flavors, and designs. The products share a common platform of plant-based protein formulations that deliver meat-like taste and texture across different applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Award Winning Plant-Based Pepperoni Plant-based pepperoni designed for foodservice applications, recognized with awards for taste and quality.
- Mainstream Plant-Based Burger Plant-based burger patty formulated to deliver meat-like taste and texture for mainstream consumer markets.
- Plant-Based Chorizo Plant-based chorizo offering traditional chorizo flavor and texture in a meatless format.
- Beef & Veggies Plant-based beef and vegetable protein blend for foodservice applications.
- Wood-Fired Pepperoni Pizza Plant-based pepperoni optimized for wood-fired pizza applications with char and heat resistance.
- Italian Orzo Soup Plant-based Italian orzo soup featuring plant protein ingredients.
- Fajitas Plant-based fajita filling designed for foodservice use.
- TacoCado Plant-based taco filling with avocado integration or avocado-inspired flavor profile.
- Private Label Manufacturing Services Custom plant-based protein development and manufacturing services allowing brands to create exclusive products with custom flavors and designs.
Companies that use Before the Butcher
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Before the Butcher technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Before the Butcher partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Before the Butcher competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Beyond Meat: Largest pure-play plant-based meat manufacturer with overlapping branded portfolio (burgers, pepperoni alternatives, chorizo, fajita-style strips) sold through retail and foodservice — the most direct competitive comparison.
- Impossible Foods: Plant-based meat brand with a comparable branded + foodservice strategy, selling plant-based beef, chicken and pork analogues into U.S. restaurant and retail channels.
- Lightlife (Greenleaf Foods / Maple Leaf Foods): Sells plant-based burgers, sausages, pepperoni-style products and grounds across retail and foodservice; direct product overlap with Before the Butcher's pepperoni, chorizo and burger SKUs.
- Sweet Earth Foods (Nestlé): Plant-based brand with a strong foodservice focus and item-specific portfolio (burritos, chik'n, breakfast items, fajitas) that competes in the same menu-application spaces.
- Gardein (Conagra): Vegetable-protein based meat analogues (burgers, tenders, ground) sold to retail and foodservice with similar SKU breadth to Before the Butcher.
- Tofurky: Plant-based protein brand selling deli slices, grounds and sausages into retail and foodservice — directly comparable in sausage/pepperoni/chorizo analogue categories.
Broad incumbents
- MorningStar Farms (Kellanova): Established CPG-owned plant-based frozen and refrigerated portfolio (burgers, chik'n, sausages) competing across most retail SKUs and many foodservice menus.
- Quorn (Monde Nissin): Mycoprotein-based meat analogue platform with broad retail and foodservice distribution in the U.S., overlapping with Before the Butcher's protein-alternative positioning.
Emerging players
- Alpha Foods: Emerging plant-based brand with comparable frozen foodservice-friendly product portfolio (burgers, taquitos, wraps, bowls) targeting similar retail and foodservice customers.
- No Evil Foods: Small independent plant-based meat brand with a comparable chef-focused, foodservice-leaning product mix (sausages, deli slices, grounds).
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Before the Butcher social profiles
Digital presenceBefore the Butcher financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Before the Butcher leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Before the Butcher funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Before the Butcher M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Before the Butcher
What does Before the Butcher do?
Before the Butcher manufactures and sells plant-based protein products including burgers, pepperoni, chorizo, beef and vegetable blends, fajitas, soups, and specialty items such as TacoCado. The company supplies foodservice operators and retailers with branded plant-based meats, and provides custom private label manufacturing services to other brands seeking proprietary plant-based formulations, flavors, and product designs.
Is Before the Butcher a public or private company?
Before the Butcher is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Before the Butcher founded?
Before the Butcher was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Before the Butcher based?
Before the Butcher is headquartered in Irvine, United States, in the North America region.
How does Before the Butcher make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales - Foodservice is the primary driver. The others are private Label Manufacturing and retail Products.
Who are Before the Butcher's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Beyond Meat, Impossible Foods, Lightlife (Greenleaf Foods / Maple Leaf Foods), Sweet Earth Foods (Nestlé), Gardein (Conagra) and Tofurky. Broad incumbents are MorningStar Farms (Kellanova) and Quorn (Monde Nissin). Emerging players are Alpha Foods and No Evil Foods.
Does Before the Butcher have an API?
No public API is recorded for Before the Butcher.
What industry is Before the Butcher in?
Before the Butcher's product category is Plant-Based Protein Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFANAKAA, Plant-Based Meat Manufacturers (End-to-End Brands), with a secondary code of CRADAAAH, Plant-Based & Alternative Proteins (Packaged). Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2013.