Slutty Vegan, the plant-based restaurant chain founded by Aisha “Pinky” Cole Hayes, is set to begin franchising following a significant restructuring earlier this year. Cole Hayes repurchased the business following a state-level restructuring alternative to bankruptcy. In a recent LinkedIn post, she noted that the company’s growth is not only about expanding the brand but also creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, building legacy, and demonstrating the power of resilience.
“This isn’t just about scaling a brand, it’s about…showing the world what’s possible when you never give up”
“This isn’t just about scaling a brand, it’s about creating opportunities, building legacy, and showing the world what’s possible when you never give up,” Cole Hayes wrote.
The decision to begin franchising follows a turbulent period for the company. After a rapid rise from a food truck to multiple brick-and-mortar locations in major cities, Slutty Vegan faced significant financial challenges in 2024, which led to debt and cash flow issues. In February 2025, Cole Hayes filed for a state-level insolvency process, which allowed the company to reorganize and restructure before she repurchased the business the following month.
The power of resilience
Hayes told Franchise Times, “I really want to show other entrepreneurs that even though it’s hard, you can redeem yourself, and you can come back from a tough situation, and you can rise above and come back on top.
According to the publication, franchise development for the brand is now under the leadership of Shawntel Daniels, who was appointed as Slutty Vegan’s franchise president in August 2025. Daniels, a former executive with Planet Fitness and 7-Eleven, emphasized that the brand is now focusing on finding franchisees who have restaurant experience or own restaurant real estate. Daniels noted that the company is looking for operators who are not only financially invested but also committed to growing the brand.
“We want people who really want to invest that time and money toward growing the brand. A franchise isn’t just, ‘hey, let’s slap the name on it and it’s going to do well,” Daniels said.
The franchise opportunity will require an investment ranging from $555,900 to $1,166,500 to open a restaurant location, with food trucks priced between $255,750 and $312,000. The restaurants are expected to range from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet with counter service and communal seating. Franchise efforts will first target Georgia and Florida, though the brand has filed its Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) in 32 states, allowing for future expansion.
Investing in the right people
Cole Hayes has said that the path to recovery and expansion includes not only a focus on the right people but also maintaining the brand’s identity. “Franchising is about selecting the right people who are qualified not just financially, but who also understand the restaurant business. You can have a lot of money and not know the first thing about restaurants, and that’s the surest way for a business to fail,” she explained.
Looking ahead, Cole Hayes teased that the brand will soon announce its first franchisee, a “very high-profile celebrity” who will also help market the brand.
Those interested in the franchising opportunity can apply to be a partner here.
