Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
2 weeks ago
United States Pinky Cole is a visionary restaurateur known for founding Slutty Vegan, a rapidly expanding plant-based burger chain, and for her commitment to entrepreneurship and community upliftment.
Pinky Cole founded Slutty Vegan, a plant-based burger restaurant chain. She temporarily lost control through restructuring due to cash-flow issues but bought it back, promising growth through a franchising model. Early investors included Danny Meyer of Shake Shack and Richelieu Dennis of Sundial, who participated in a $25 million Series A round.
Pinky Cole collaborated with Shake Shack to create the 'SluttyShack' burger. Chef Mimi from Slutty Vegan provided inspiration for the creation.
Pinky Cole partnered with Pepsi as an ambassador to help amplify and recognize Black-owned restaurants across the country.
Richelieu Dennis's New Voices Fund invested in Slutty Vegan as part of a $25 million Series A funding round, taking a twenty-five percent stake in the company.
Pinky Cole has on multiple occasions provided financial assistance to students of her alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, including paying tuition for students and gifting LLCs to graduating classes.
The Pinky Cole Foundation partnered with The Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation for philanthropic initiatives, as mentioned by Cole in an interview.
Aisha “Pinky” Cole, born on December 8, 1987, in Baltimore, Maryland, is an American restaurateur of Jamaican descent. Her entrepreneurial spirit was evident early on, influenced by her parents’ diverse business approaches. Cole became a vegetarian in 2007 and a vegan in 2014, which later inspired her culinary ventures. She received her bachelor’s degree from Clark Atlanta University in 2009, where she was elected “Miss CAU” in 2008 and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. After college, Cole pursued a career in television, working as an actress in Los Angeles and later in television production, including producing for “Judge Karen’s Court” in 2010. She moved back to Atlanta in 2016, where she worked as a casting director for programs such as “Iyanla: Fix My Life.”
In 2014, Cole launched her first restaurant, Pinky’s Jamaican and American Restaurant, in Harlem. This venture operated for two years before a grease fire forced its closure in 2016, leading to significant financial challenges for Cole. This experience, though difficult, served as a foundational learning period. She re-entered the food industry in July 2018 by selling vegan burgers through delivery apps, which quickly led to the launch of the Slutty Vegan food truck in September 2018. The immediate success of the food truck prompted the opening of the first brick-and-mortar Slutty Vegan restaurant in Atlanta’s Westview neighborhood in January 2019.
Slutty Vegan grew rapidly, attracting media attention and a dedicated customer base due to its unique branding and plant-based menu. In 2022, the company raised $25 million in a Series A funding round, valuing Slutty Vegan at $100 million. By 2023, Slutty Vegan had expanded to 11 locations across Georgia, New York City, Birmingham, Alabama, and Dallas. In 2023, Cole was recognized on the Time magazine 100 Next list for her significant cultural influence. Despite facing corporate overhead challenges and a brief loss of ownership due to restructuring in early 2025, Cole successfully reacquired Slutty Vegan. The company has since shifted to a franchising model as part of its strategy for global expansion. She has also authored a cookbook, “Eat Plants, B*tch” (2022), and a self-help book, “I Hope You Fail,” and operates The Pinky Cole Foundation, dedicated to supporting children of color.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
