Slutty Vegan Founder Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Slutty Vegan founder Aisha "Pinky" Cole has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in Georgia, according to recent court documents. The filing reveals significant financial obligations, including a $1.2 million debt from a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan issued by the Small Business Administration and approximately $192,000 in outstanding state taxes.
The Rise of Slutty Vegan
Cole launched the provocative fast-food concept in 2018, beginning as a delivery-only service featuring a menu with intentionally risqué item names. The brand quickly evolved, moving to a food truck model before establishing its first permanent restaurant in Atlanta in 2019. At its peak, the chain expanded to 14 locations, though it has since consolidated to six operating sites. Cole's entrepreneurial impact was recognized in 2023 with a place on the Time100 Next list.
Legal and Financial Challenges
The company encountered several legal disputes prior to the bankruptcy filing:
- Multiple lawsuits in 2023 concerning alleged unpaid wages.
- A case filed in August of that year for reportedly unpaid rent at its Atlanta properties.
Earlier in 2025, the business entered a state-administered financial restructuring process known as an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors. This procedure involved transferring company assets to an independent administrator to be liquidated for creditor repayment, which temporarily removed Cole from ownership.
In a recent interview, Cole acknowledged the difficulty of her decision, stating she resisted the move for a long time to avoid public criticism. She expressed a deliberate choice not to seek public financial assistance, emphasizing she did not want to adopt a victim mentality.
Moving Forward
Despite these business challenges, Cole continues to expand her public profile. She was recently confirmed as a new cast member for the upcoming seventeenth season of a popular reality television series. Neither Cole nor Slutty Vegan has issued an official public statement regarding the Chapter 11 filing. Requests for comment on the matter have not yet received a response.
