Nationwide — Popular Atlanta-based Black-owned restaurant Slutty Vegan is facing a lawsuit that claims owner Pinky Cole owes more than $87,000 in rent and fees for two properties on Edgewood Avenue. The case adds to the financial hurdles of the once fast-growing brand.
The suit, filed in Fulton County state court, alleges that Slutty Vegan, Inc. failed to pay rent, late fees, and interest. Asana Partners LLC, the property owner, says both Slutty Vegan and Cole’s other restaurant, The Morning After, fell behind on payments.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, court documents state the company owes nearly $40,000 in rent, which grew with a 5% late fee and 7% interest on past due amounts. The landlord says total damages now exceed $87,000, with additional rent and charges of more than $13,000 a month continuing to build.
Slutty Vegan first gained national attention after starting as a food truck in 2019. At its peak, the chain had 14 locations across four states. But the business has since downsized to five, as listed on its website. Bar Vegan, another venture co-founded by Cole, also closed several locations earlier this year.
Cole previously spoke about the company’s financial struggles, citing $10 million in overhead costs. In February, she temporarily handed the business to an assignee during restructuring. By March, she had regained control of the business for an undisclosed amount.
Plans for a Slutty Vegan location inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were canceled in June. The site will instead feature Buffalo Wild Wings and Wu Tang Asian Kitchen, a new Asian-Southern fusion concept.
Cole, who has recently been seen filming for Real Housewives of Atlanta, now faces both a legal battle and the ongoing challenge of rebuilding her restaurant brand.
