Beyond Meat, an El Segundo, Calif.-based maker of plant-based protein items, is planning to add 26,000 square feet to its research & development space. According to the Los Angeles Times, the move to put all of its researchers under one roof and add more equipment could cut the time it takes to bring new products to market in half.

Beyond Meat says it could also make as many as 40 new hires as a result of the expansion, which will include a test kitchen, several new labs and a room for focus groups. The company currently has more than 150 employees, the article states.

Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown says that, along with the company’s burger patties, chicken strips and sausages, bacon and steak are among the “holy grail” items that could be considered in the future.

Source: Los Angeles Times