Beyondburg, the brainchild of Mohd Anas, has been causing quite a stir and turning heads with its spot-on recreation of the Yankee classic. What began as a passionate love affair with the quintessential American classic—the smash burger—has blossomed into a thriving business venture that’s capturing the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts across the region.

Anas’s journey from chef-to-burger-preneur of Beyondburg shows just how committed he is to his unwavering dedication to authenticity and flavour. His drive to perfect the American-style smash burger took him through careful research, numerous taste tests, and a nearly obsessive focus on details.

Now, these aren’t your average, run-of-the-mill patties. We’re talking about true smash burgers: thin, crispy-edged meat patties smashed into a searing hot griddle. The result? A burger with the perfect balance of juicy insides and crispy outsides, topped with melty cheese, and snuggled in a soft bun. The emphasis on authentic methods and high-quality ingredients has burger fans lining up.

Today, we sit down with Anas to explore his journey to burger perfection and how he’s brought a true taste of America to our local food scene. Over to Anas…

In Conversation with Mohd Anas, Founder, Beyondburg

TheGlitzMedia: What inspired you to start a specialty burger joint?

ANAS: I was inspired to start Beyondburg Inc. by a desire to elevate and change the burger game in our country. Growing up, I was inspired by the simplicity and versatility of traditional American-style burgers. However, I realised that authentic Smash Burgers were absent locally.

Recognising this gap, I seized the opportunity to introduce high-quality, gourmet smash burgers made with the best organic produce and ingredients, resulting in a memorable dining experience at Beyondburg. The goal was to create a place where people could enjoy the comfort of a classic smash burger, but with a unique twist that reflected our commitment to quality, flavour, and sustainability.

Can you describe your signature burger and what makes it unique?

Our signature creation, the “Classic Smash Burger,” stands out for its simplicity and unmatched quality. We source our meat from specialty butchers across the country to ensure we use the finest, most flavourful buffalo meat. The Classic Smash Burger features two thin, crispy buffalo patties expertly smashed on the griddle to achieve a perfect sear, locking in the juices and enhancing the flavour. It’s topped with melted American cheese, fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, house-made pickles, and our special Beyond sauce, all served on a freshly baked, buttery brioche bun.

While there’s no magic involved, we can assure you that our commitment to using high-quality organic produce and specialty ingredients is evident in every bite. The unique combination of crispy, seared patties and fresh toppings creates a delightful experience. The balance of flavours and textures, along with our dedication to using only the finest ingredients, truly sets our Classic Smash Burger apart.

Besides burgers, what other standout items are on your menu?

At Beyondburg, in addition to our burgers, our milkshakes are a standout. We offer three varieties, all made entirely in-house from scratch. We source our milk directly from local farms, ensuring the freshest and highest-quality product. For our cookie milkshakes, we bake the cookies in-house at our bakery, making the milkshake 100% fresh and a perfect complement to our burgers. Personally, I believe no meal is complete without a milkshake; it’s a classic American diner-style pairing that brings together hamburgers and milkshakes in the most delightful way.

What have been the biggest challenges to growing your business?

The biggest challenge in growing Beyondburg was introducing a product that is 100% authentic and truly representative of an American-style burger—something the market had never experienced before. Our focus on high-quality ingredients and organic practices naturally made our products more expensive, which initially made it difficult to attract a broad customer base.

However, as we began educating our customers about the benefits of organic and high-quality ingredients, we saw a growing market for our burgers. Eventually, it became a win-win situation: consumers now appreciate the superior quality and taste of our burgers, and our team takes pride in their contributions to this exceptional product.

How do you approach sustainability in the different aspects of your day-to-day operations?

When it comes to sustainability, we have implemented several significant initiatives. As a home-grown organisation, we have eliminated 100% of plastic from all our practices, making us a completely plastic-free brand. Our sourcing strategy involves using vegetables from 100% pesticide-free organic farms. This approach benefits everyone involved: it’s advantageous for the farmers who cultivate these crops, for the consumers who enjoy healthier food, and for our team members who handle these vegetables daily without the risks associated with pesticides. By prioritising sustainability, we ensure that we are growing healthier together.

What’s next for Beyondburg Inc.?

Beyondburg Inc. is steadily expanding its footprint across the country, aspiring to become one of the best burger restaurants nationwide. We have already garnered a loyal fan base for our signature Smash Burgers, chicken sandwiches, and milkshakes. Our ongoing mission is to establish a burger brand distinguished by its 100% commitment to health and quality, a rarity in the global market.

We are confident in our vision and capabilities, and we plan to complete our nationwide expansion by 2028, including cities such as Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, as well as enter the Asian market by 2030. Our goal is not just to create a successful burger restaurant, but to build an institution where everyone can thrive together.

Beyondburg Inc.: Now dishing out delicious burgers in Kochi, Kozhikode and Bangalore.