Residual feed intake (RFI) is being used to replace traditional measures of feed efficiency due to improved accuracy for determining production efficiency for cattle in a selection program. The research examined the effects of RFI classification (determined in the grower phase using a common diet) and diverse management regimens (using metabolic modifiers (implants, beta agonists) applied in the finisher phase) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality for 156 Angus x Simmental steers. RFI determined in the grower phase did not always predict RFI accurately for the finisher phase. Metabolic modifiers did not affect RFI classification within a production phase or RFI classification across production phases. Metabolic modifiers increased carcass leanness and decreased meat tenderness. RFI may be a valuable tool for selecting feed efficient animals, but there may be a reduction in longissimus tenderness depending on the type of metabolic modifiers used.