Pinky Cole Hayes Regains Ownership of Slutty Vegan After Entrepreneurial Setback

Ever heard of the Slutty Vegan restaurant chain? If not, let’s put it under the spotlight. Pinky Cole Hayes, the powerhouse and visionary behind this unique concept, took the food industry by storm, not just with her plant-based burgers but also with her rag to riches story.

Based mainly in Georgia, the chain grew to seven prime locations, including spots at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the renowned Spelman College. By 2022, the business was sipping champagne to a handsome market value of nearly $100 million, with a fancy $25 million poured in from a Series A funding round, as recorded by AFROTECH™.

However, success is a rollercoaster that often tests our mettle and resilience, something Cole Hayes can vouch for. She had a turbulent ride in 2024 when the company faced major challenges, ultimately resulting in losing the venture. “I was chasing something that I couldn’t catch for so many reasons,” she confessed to People.

Her failure, she admitted, was linked to her lack of experience as “the operational person”. She had been following her passions blindly, only to realize that even passion needs strategic and operational planning as its partners. But, believe me when I say, this isn’t a sign-off for Pinky Cole Hayes. Stick around as we watch this enterprising woman dust herself off and rise again, carrying with her powerful lessons on ambition, resilience, strategy, and leadership.