What happened

Beyond Meat (BYND 4.62%) investors trailed the market last month as their stock lost 15% compared to a 2% decrease in the S&P 500, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The decline just erased a small portion of the food company's big gains so far this year. Beyond Meat remains higher by roughly 150% since its initial public offering.

A woman biting into a burger.

Image source: Getty Images.

So what

August was a busy month for investors, who were digesting Beyond Meat's second-quarter earnings report from late July, along with news of an additional public offering of stock aimed at raising cash for the growing business. That offering likely played the biggest role in last month's price decline since a growing base of shares dilutes the value of existing stock.

Now what

The key question going forward is whether Beyond Meat can make good use of the capital it is raising to deepen its partnerships with restaurants. Many fast-food chains are finding room on their menus for plant-based meat substitutes today, but only time will tell whether these additions will prove popular enough to earn year-round spots as menu options for burgers, breakfast patties, eggs, ground beef, and more.