As reported by VegNews, Entrepreneur Pinky Cole-Hayes is embarking on an ambitious expansion of her renowned Slutty Vegan enterprise, with plans to introduce three new outposts to cater to a growing audience of plant-based food enthusiasts.
Famous for its decadent plant-based burgers boasting evocative names like Ménage à Trois, featuring vegan bacon, shrimp, and cheese, Slutty Vegan has cultivated a distinctively playful atmosphere at its locations, often frequented by both staff and celebrities alike. They enthusiastically welcome "virgins" and proudly announce their "slutffied" status, setting the stage for lively celebrations.
As a testament to its widespread appeal, each new Slutty Vegan outpost draws remarkable crowds, with patrons forming lengthy lines that frequently evolve into impromptu block parties. With successful establishments already established in Atlanta, Brooklyn, Harlem, Birmingham, Los Angeles, and Dallas, Cole-Hayes has set her sights on introducing the Slutty Vegan experience to Nashville, Florida, and even the world's busiest airport.
Recently, Nashville was permeated with the Slutty Vegan fervor as the brand rolled out an electrifying pop-up residency from August 1st to August 7th. Keeping in line with its reputation, the pop-up offered the same vibrant atmosphere and delectable plant-based fare.
Also, in Brandon, FL, a month-long August residency has seen a similar influx of enthusiastic fans eager to savor meatless delights such as The One Night Stand and the Fussy Hussy, accompanied by the signature "Slut Dust" dusted Slutty Fries.
In a video interview with USA Today, Cole-Hayes provided insights into the viral brand, describing it as "a little bit of ghetto; it’s just a little bit of fun; it’s just a little bit of energy but it’s all sophisticated and professional and organized."
She further emphasized the growing demand and the evolving nature of the business, stating, "When the business is showing up, people are adapting to the business and they want more."
Following an immensely successful residency at Nomoo New American Burgers in Los Angeles from June 24th to July 24th, the anticipation surrounding the LA pop-up only serves to underscore the continued ascendancy of Slutty Vegan's renowned plant-based creations.
Having initially launched Slutty Vegan in 2018 by selling burgers via Instagram, Cole-Hayes quickly transitioned to a food truck and then a brick-and-mortar location due to overwhelming demand and secured $25 million in funding, paving the way for strategic expansion efforts.
Notably, these pop-ups are intended to serve as testing grounds for potential permanent Slutty Vegan locations.
By the end of 2024, Slutty Vegan is poised to establish a presence at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, marking the airport's first fully plant-based restaurant, complete with a bar and offering the entire Slutty Vegan menu. With the airport welcoming over 104.6 million passengers annually, the strategic move is aligned with Slutty Vegan’s broader mission to promote plant-based consumption and foster dialogue about vegan cuisine in communities affected by high rates of hypertension, cholesterol, and obesity.
Jason Crain, Slutty Vegan’s founding partner and chief revenue officer, affirmed the anticipated success of the new airport location, noting, “Given that Atlanta Airport is the busiest airport in the country, with high foot traffic, we expect it to be one of our busiest locations,” in an interview with Food Chain Magazine.
In 2023, Slutty Vegan further extended its presence by establishing locations at Spelman College, Georgia Tech, and Truist Park, demonstrating a commitment to diversifying its channels beyond traditional establishments and leveraging a food truck to gauge market receptivity and gather demographic insights for prospective site selections.
As part of an ongoing evolution of the menu, Slutty Vegan recently partnered with plant-based steak company Chunk Foods to introduce "The Big Meat," a vegan pulled brisket sandwich, and a 4-ounce steak entrée at select locations through September. Additionally, entrepreneur Angela Simmons has teamed up with Slutty Vegan to supply Vegan Fried Oreos as a delectable dessert option.
Pioneering the Slutty Vegan enterprise, Cole-Hayes continues to carve out new frontiers, recently being appointed as the inaugural Creative Visionary in Residence at Revolt, a prominent Black-owned multimedia company. Emphasizing her resilience, vision, and community-building efforts, Detavio Samuels, CEO of Revolt, lauded Cole-Hayes' contribution, stating, “We’re excited to welcome Pinky Cole Hayes as the inaugural Revolt Creative Visionary in Residence.”
Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Cole-Hayes is deeply committed to philanthropy, spearheading initiatives through the Pinky Cole Foundation to uplift Black-owned businesses and communities. Notably, she employs her platform to advocate for "group economics experiments," recently aiding The Sistah Shop to avert eviction by leveraging her followers to raise over $30,000 for the struggling Black-owned business.
In response to her appointment as the inaugural Creative Visionary in Residence, Cole-Hayes expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “As someone deeply committed to challenging norms and amplifying Black voices, this is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with like-minded creatives and bring dynamic projects to life.”
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