The once-fast-rising vegan burger brand Slutty Vegan has closed locations and entered bankruptcy proceedings as financial pressures mount on the Atlanta-born restaurant concept.
The company, founded by entrepreneur Pinky Cole Hayes, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year, citing mounting debt and operational challenges. Known for its provocative branding and plant-based comfort food, the chain had expanded rapidly across several U.S. cities during its peak popularity.
Rapid rise fueled by viral popularity
Slutty Vegan launched in 2018 as a late-night pop-up in Atlanta before quickly becoming a viral sensation on social media. Long lines regularly wrapped around its original location as customers flocked to try burgers with names like “One Night Stand” and “Fussy Hussy.”
The brand capitalized on the momentum by opening additional restaurants across the South and Midwest, including locations in Birmingham, Brooklyn and Dallas. At its height, the chain was widely celebrated as one of the fastest-growing Black-owned vegan restaurant brands in the United States.
Cole Hayes also gained national attention after appearing on the reality show Shark Tank and launching multiple spin-off ventures tied to the brand.
Financial challenges lead to bankruptcy
Despite the brand’s strong cultural following, financial challenges began to surface as the company expanded. Court filings associated with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case list $1.2 million owed to the U.S. Small Business Administration (related to COVID relief loans), as well as $192,000 owed to the state of Georgia for unpaid taxes.
Several Slutty Vegan locations had already closed in recent months prior to the bankruptcy filing. (It had around 14 locations at its peak, and now the count is around six.)
Future of the brand remains uncertain
The bankruptcy process is intended to allow the company to restructure its debts while exploring potential paths forward for the brand.
However, the closure of multiple restaurants highlights the challenges facing independent and regional restaurant chains, particularly those that expanded aggressively during the pandemic recovery period.
For many fans, the struggles of Slutty Vegan mark a dramatic turn for a brand that once symbolized the explosive growth of plant-based dining in America.
Links on this page may be affiliate links, for which the site earns a small commission, but the price for you is the same
Leave a Comment