The 'Slutty' Empire: How Pinky Cole turned vegan burgers into a national brand

Slutty Vegan founder and CEO Pinky Cole Hayes joins Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler to share her journey from television producer to…

Slutty Vegan signs franchise deal to open in Ohio

July 9, 2026

Atlanta-based Slutty Vegan is expanding into Ohio after signing a franchise agreement to open its first locations in Columbus and Cleveland. Soul Republic…

Slutty Vegan makes franchising push with deals in Atlanta and Washington, DC

June 3, 2026

Slutty Vegan is accelerating its national franchising strategy by inking new development agreements in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.

Top 10 leadership lessons shared in 2025

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

We take a look at 10 essential insights from successful entrepreneurs featured on the Founderology podcast, offering hard-earned wisdom on maintaining purpose…

Bankruptcy may not be the end for Pinky Cole

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Pinky Cole has built an empire on grit. She's faced the worst before, and she's come out on the other side. As she navigates this latest chapter, the question…

Pinky Cole stripping down Slutty Vegan’s business realities on ‘Real Housewives’

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

By bringing the fast casual world to one of reality TV's biggest stages, Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole is betting on the idea that authenticity — not just…

Founderology Growth Summit honoring inaugural 'Visionary Restaurant Founders'

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

To celebrate the spirit of innovation, the Founderology Growth Summit, being held Feb. 2-4 in Austin, will host a special ceremony to honor the "Top 5 Movers …

2025 in review: FastCasual’s 10 most-read stories

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Top stories centered on major brand pivots, such as Golden Corral rebranding its fast casual concept, and the return of seasonal events like Starbucks' Red Cup…

Founderology Growth Summit: The breakthrough experience Founders must attend

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Built for Founders. Powered by Founders.

How Slutty Vegan Founder turned $20M in debt into a $100M comeback

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

In this episode of "Founderology – Built to Breakthrough," Pinky Cole Hayes shares her “PhD. lessons” and mindset that fueled her comeback.

Pinky Cole hires President for Slutty Vegan

June 6, 2025

Pinky Cole, founder and CEO of Atlanta-based Slutty Vegan, has named entrepreneur, investor and marketer Lauren Maillian as brand president.

Pinky Cole saving vegan eatery

August 15, 2024

Restaurateur Pinky Cole, the owner of Slutty Vegan and Bar Vegan, is taking over The Boujee Southerner, a Black-owned vegan restaurant that recently closed its…