Everything Legendary co-founder Duane “Myko” Cheers and his crew have one goal: to create the most delicious plant-based meat alternatives in the world and get them into as many people’s hands as possible.
Everything Legendary, a plant-based burger company, has raised $6 million in Series A funding. According to Food Dive, the financing was led by CircleUp Growth Partners and includes General Mills’ 301 Inc. and prior investor Mark Cuban.
The cash will be used to grow the company’s retail footprint as well as develop additional product lines such as vegan boneless wings, sausages, and breakfast burgers. Everything Legendary’s distinctive burgers and grounds are now available in 1,500 retail locations across the United States, including Target and Publix. The company says it plans to open an additional 5,600 retail outlets by this summer.
Everything Legendary has grown from a family kitchen operation to a nationwide retail brand in less than a year since its inception. Its chef-created patties and grounds, which are made with a pea and hemp protein combination and coconut oil.
Everything Legendary was born out of Cheers’ search for healthier plant-based solutions for his lupus-stricken mother. Plant-based burgers were the company’s first product, which it began selling at community center pop-ups and barbershops. Since then, their products have been distributed nationwide through Giant Food, Safeway, Acme, Target, Ralphs, and Kings Food Markets. Everything Legendary’s team has remained small, with only six employees: Duane Myko (co-founder and CEO), Danita Claytor (co-founder and President), Jumoke Jackson (co-founder and chef), Cynthia Betterson (Chief of Innovation), Vincent Parker (Chief Operations Officer), and Darise Dill (Chief Operations Officer) (Social Media Manager).
Since Cheers and his co-founders appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank and struck a deal with Mark Cuban, the company has boomed with products now in over 1,400 stores. Cheers is successfully leading his team to become a household name. While the shark’s investment and mentorship has helped the company increase its production capacity, Cheers’ unrelenting grit and stellar promotion strategies are largely behind its recent success.
