---
title: "Slutty Vegan Signs Deals to Grow in Columbus and Cleveland"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/1f099db2-e6da-4491-911a-c0085227d55c
source: "QSR Magazine"
original_url: https://www.qsrmagazine.com/growth/franchising/slutty-vegan-signs-deals-to-grow-in-columbus-and-cleveland/
category: "Burger"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Burger"
published: 2026-07-10T16:31:32.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T13:18:00.273Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1555396273-367ea4eb4db5?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Slutty Vegan Signs Deals to Grow in Columbus and Cleveland

**TL;DR:** Slutty Vegan has signed franchise agreements to expand into Columbus and Cleveland, marking the brand's debut in Ohio. The expansion will be led by Soul Republic Hospitality Group, which will bring the Slutty Vegan experience to both cities.

*originally published in QSR Magazine on 2026-07-10. [Read the original](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/growth/franchising/slutty-vegan-signs-deals-to-grow-in-columbus-and-cleveland/).*

## Key facts

- Slutty Vegan signs deals for Columbus and Cleveland
- Soul Republic Hospitality Group to lead development
- Locations to open in fall 2026

## Story

Slutty Vegan, the nationally recognized plant-based burger brand founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Pinky Cole Hayes, has officially signed franchise agreements to bring the rapidly growing concept to Columbus and Cleveland, marking the brand’s highly anticipated debut in the state of Ohio. The expansion marks a major milestone in the company’s continued national growth plan and signals rising demand for the brand across the Midwest.

As the company continues its growth momentum, Slutty Vegan has intentionally partnered with operators who understand both the business fundamentals and the culture behind the brand. Soul Republic Hospitality Group, led by Akin Affrica, will lead development efforts across the Ohio market, bringing the Slutty Vegan experience to both Columbus and Cleveland.

“Soul Republic Hospitality Group is excited to add Slutty Vegan to our family of Ohio based hospitality brands,” said Akin Affrica, Founder of Soul Republic Hospitality Group. “I first visited Slutty Vegan in Atlanta in 2019 and quickly became a fan of both the guest experience and the business behind it. I knew then that I wanted to be part of the brand’s growth.

From that first email to Pinky to signing our franchise agreements, we have built Soul Republic into a family of seven brands and a dozen locations, and we could not be more ready to bring the Slutty Vegan experience to Ohio, beginning in Cleveland and Columbus.”

## Expansion plans

The locations are anticipated to open sometime in the fall of 2026. More details about each location’s grand opening will be made public as the buildouts progress.

“Ohio embodies the bold, hardworking and ready for something different energy that Slutty Vegan was built on,” said Pinky Cole Hayes, Founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan. “Making our state debut in Columbus and Cleveland was a no-brainer and we’re looking forward to creating opportunity, building legacy and proving that plant-based dining can be fun, loud and unapologetically delicious in these markets and every market we enter thereafter.”

## Brand background

Since launching in Atlanta in 2018, Slutty Vegan has grown from a viral burger concept into a nationally recognized brand known for bold flavors, high-energy customer experiences, and community impact. The brand’s founder, Pinky Cole Hayes, is a best-selling author and philanthropist who built the brand from a single food truck into a cultural phenomenon. Cole Hayes has continued her rise to stardom this year with her television debut as a cast member of Bravo’s *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* for its 17th season, bringing her boldness and business savvy to one of television’s most-watched franchises and introducing Slutty Vegan to millions of new fans.

## Entities

- unit expansion (topic)
- QSR (sector)
- QSR Magazine (publication)
- franchise agreement (topic)
- market growth (topic)
- ohio (location)
- Columbus (location)
- Cleveland (location)
- Slutty Vegan (company)
- Pinky Cole Hayes (person)
- Soul Republic Hospitality Group (company)
- Akin Affrica (person)

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Originally reported by QSR Magazine (https://www.qsrmagazine.com/growth/franchising/slutty-vegan-signs-deals-to-grow-in-columbus-and-cleveland/). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/1f099db2-e6da-4491-911a-c0085227d55c).