Beyond Meat surges on PepsiCo plant-based snack deal

NEW YORK, Jan 26 — Beyond Meat Inc said today it had formed a joint venture with PepsiCo Inc to develop and sell snacks and beverages made from plant-based protein, sending shares of the faux-meat maker to an 18-month high.

The deal was the latest in a run of marketing successes for Beyond which include a distribution deal with Walmart, and partnerships with restaurants including Taco Bell, KFC and Starbucks.

The company’s burger patties and sausages have been among the leaders in the surge in in