The founder of the plant-based concept Slutty Vegan has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Aisha “Pinky” Cole, who created the Atlanta-based fast-casual concept, filed for personal Chapter 11 reorganization last month, saying she owes nearly $1.4 million, including a $1.2 million U.S. Small Business Administration loan, as well as $192,000 in state taxes.
Slutty Vegan was first launched as a food truck in 2018, but Cole moved the brand into brick-and-mortar. The brand is known for plant-based burgers with names like The Fussy Hussy or the Hollywood Hooker, with fries sprinkled with “slut dust.”
An early investor was New York restaurateur Danny Meyer, whose Enlightened Hospitality Investments made a $25 million injection into the brand in 2022, along with Essence Ventures CEO Richelieu Dennis’ New Voice Fund.
Meyer once called Cole “the Pied Piper of veganism.”
She later married Derrick Hayes, who owns the Big Dave’s Cheesesteak brand.
Cole reportedly owns about 85% of Slutty Vegan. She lost control of the company in a state-level restructuring last year, and bought it back under a company called Ain't Nobody Coming to See You, Otis, according to Complex.com. The chain later launched franchising.
The chain has boasted as many as 14 units, but only five are listed on Slutty Vegan’s website.
Cole, meanwhile, last week reportedly announced she will be making her reality TV debut on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
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