Pinky Cole’s Slutty Vegan Faces $87K Rent Lawsuit

Pinky Cole Hayes, the entrepreneur behind the popular vegan burger chain Slutty Vegan, is once again in the spotlight for legal troubles. A real estate firm has filed a lawsuit accusing Cole and her businesses of owing over $87,000 in unpaid rent and fees for two Atlanta locations.

Allegations of Over $87,000 in Back Rent

The lawsuit was filed in Fulton County State Court by an affiliate of Asana Partners, a real estate company involved in developing popular Atlanta hubs like Krog Street Market. The complaint alleges that Cole and associated business entities have breached lease agreements for two properties on Edgewood Avenue. The total amount claimed includes back rent, late fees, and interest.

This legal action comes shortly after Cole underwent a financial restructuring in February 2025. She had previously revealed that she temporarily relinquished ownership of her business due to significant corporate overhead and cash flow issues, reportedly around $10 million, before repurchasing it under a new entity. Prior to this latest suit, her businesses had also faced legal challenges in Maryland and New York concerning alleged unpaid rent and credit card charges from the period before the restructuring.

Mixed Reactions to Business Challenges

News of the lawsuit has sparked varied reactions on social media. While some supporters have offered prayers and encouragement, others have pointed to the rapid expansion of Slutty Vegan as a potential cause for the business troubles. Critics suggest that growing and franchising too quickly without a solid foundation for sustainability can lead to such issues.

Some have also questioned Cole’s ability to offer business guidance at events like Invest Fest while facing ongoing financial and legal challenges with her own company. Cole herself has been open about the difficulties, admitting in March that the business had grown too large and costly to manage effectively, leading to the restructuring. This shake-up also resulted in the cancellation of a planned airport location and the closure of a spot at Spelman College.

Despite these hurdles, Slutty Vegan continues to operate eight locations across the country, including five in Georgia, and others in Alabama, Maryland, and New York.