Slutty Vegan is finally coming to Detroit in fall 2026.
Slutty Vegan founder and CEO Pinky Cole Hayes announced on social media on June 17, that she has signed a franchise agreement with Detroit entrepreneur Obinani Iwuoha, who will lead development of the company’s first Midwest location in Corktown. The restaurant is planned for 1441 W. Elizabeth Street, placing one of the country’s most recognizable Black-owned food brands in one of Detroit’s fastest-growing dining and entertainment districts.
For Iwuoha, the deal represents the culmination of years spent in the food and beverage industry and more than two decades living in metro Detroit. While Cole Hayes has long been the public face of the brand, the company’s move into Detroit reflects a broader strategy of partnering with local operators who understand the communities they serve. In announcing the agreement, the company highlighted Iwuoha’s background in food and beverage and his entrepreneurial experience as key reasons he was selected to lead the Detroit market.
The expansion also reflects Detroit’s continued emergence as a destination for food entrepreneurs, particularly Black-owned businesses looking to build brands in a city where residents have repeatedly shown a willingness to support new concepts. That enthusiasm has already been tested by Slutty Vegan.
In spring 2026, the company held a one-day pop-up in metro Detroit that drew hundreds of customers, with many waiting hours for the opportunity to try the restaurant’s plant-based burgers and sandwiches. The turnout reinforced what many local observers had suspected for years: Detroit had an appetite for the brand long before a permanent location was announced.
The road to Detroit has been longer than many fans realize. A Slutty Vegan pop-up was previously planned in partnership with Bedrock’s Monroe Street Midway during the summer of 2022, but the event never materialized. Even so, interest in the Atlanta-based concept never disappeared. The success of the 2026 pop-up helped demonstrate that demand remained strong enough to support a brick-and-mortar location.
“Expanding into Detroit represents a pivotal moment for us,” said Cole Hayes. “This city embodies the kind of resilience and boldness that Slutty Vegan was built on. We’re proving that plant-based fast-casual can thrive in any market when you have the right people, the right message, and the right mission.”
Since launching as a food truck in Atlanta in 2018, Slutty Vegan has evolved from a niche vegan concept into one of the most visible Black-owned restaurant brands in the country. The company attracted national attention for its creative marketing, provocative branding and menu built around plant-based versions of fast-food staples. The brand expanded rapidly, securing celebrity fans, national media coverage, and major investment backing as it grew beyond Georgia. Recent years have also brought increased visibility for Cole Hayes herself, including her debut on Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
But the Detroit expansion comes during a period of rebuilding for the company and its founder.
Over the last two years, Cole Hayes and businesses associated with her have faced a series of financial and legal challenges. Slutty Vegan underwent a restructuring process in 2025 that temporarily resulted in Cole Hayes losing control of the company before she later reacquired it and began rebuilding the brand. Court filings in 2026 showed Cole Hayes seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while working to reorganize debts tied to business obligations. The entrepreneur has also faced lawsuits involving alleged unpaid rent and disputes connected to former business operations. Despite those challenges, she has continued to push forward with new ventures, franchising efforts and expansion plans.
In a social media announcement revealing the Detroit franchise agreement, Cole Hayes directly addressed the scrutiny surrounding her recent struggles.
“I lost everything. The company went through bankruptcy. I had to fight to get that what I wanted,” she said.
She continued by describing how public criticism and financial setbacks shaped her outlook as a business owner.
“My wounds have become my wisdom. My setbacks had become my credentials. My losses had become my lessons.”
The remarks offered insight into why the Detroit deal may carry significance beyond the opening of another restaurant. It serves as evidence that franchise operators remain willing to invest in the brand despite its recent turbulence. For Iwuoha, it represents a vote of confidence in Detroit’s ability to support innovative restaurant concepts. And for the city itself, it signals that national brands continue to see opportunity in Detroit’s evolving food landscape.
“The people who didn’t matter see my bankruptcies, but the people who matter they see a comeback,” Cole Hayes said in the announcement.
That sentiment appears to align with the Detroit franchise agreement. While financial setbacks and legal disputes have generated headlines, the company continues to attract new operators and enter new markets. The decision by Iwuoha to bring Slutty Vegan to Corktown suggests confidence not only in the brand’s future but also in Detroit consumers, who have increasingly embraced diverse culinary concepts ranging from traditional soul food and international cuisine to plant-based dining.
The Detroit location is expected to open following the completion of construction and buildout work later this year. Additional details about the grand opening are expected in the coming months. When the doors open, the restaurant will mark Slutty Vegan’s first permanent Midwest location and the latest example of Detroit’s ability to attract nationally recognized brands while creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs to lead their growth.
