Slutty Vegan is a technology company.
Slutty Vegan has raised $25.0M across 1 funding round.
Slutty Vegan has raised $25.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Slutty Vegan has raised $25.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Slutty Vegan's investors include ACME Capital, Collab Capital, Jenny Fielding, New Voices Fund, Plug & Play Ventures, Reign Ventures, Serena Ventures, TechSquare Labs.
Slutty Vegan is a plant-based fast-food restaurant chain specializing in vegan burgers and comfort food, founded by Pinky Cole. It serves vegan-curious consumers seeking tasty, indulgent alternatives to traditional fast food, solving the problem of limited late-night or appealing plant-based options in a fun, unapologetic brand voice.[1][5] The company has demonstrated strong early growth, hitting $4 million in revenue within six months of its first location, raising $25 million in Series A funding, and reaching a $100 million valuation with expansions to multiple U.S. cities like Atlanta, Birmingham, and Brooklyn.[1][5] Recent challenges included a brief loss of ownership in 2025 due to financial issues from rapid scaling, but founder Pinky Cole has reclaimed 100% control under "Slutty Vegan 2.0," appointing tech executive Lauren Maillian as president to drive infrastructure, digital engagement, new locations, and consumer packaged goods like the VOAGIES vegan sub concept.[2][3][4]
Slutty Vegan originated in founder Pinky Cole's two-bedroom apartment in Atlanta, where she sought to address her own craving for flavorful vegan food late at night when options were scarce.[1] Cole, a celebrated vegan chef recognized on lists like Forbes Next 1000, Entrepreneur’s Top 100 Powerful Women, and PETA’s Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities, launched the first location with a disruptive, playful brand that redefines veganism as accessible and fun, emphasizing community service and "silent protest" against stereotypes.[1][5] Early traction exploded: $4 million in revenue in six months via guerrilla marketing, leading to rapid expansion to 14 locations, $25 million in Series A funding, and a $100 million valuation by 2022-2023.[1][4][5] A pivotal setback came in 2025 when over-expansion and under-the-hood operational issues triggered a 43-day loss of ownership via debt restructuring, teaching Cole key lessons in sustainable scaling before she reacquired full control.[2][3][4]
Note: Slutty Vegan is not a technology company; while incorporating tech for operations and customer experience, it is fundamentally a vegan restaurant chain.[2][3][4]
Slutty Vegan rides the wave of plant-based food disruption intersecting with tech-enabled food brands, leveraging digital marketing, AI for operations, and scalable consumer apps to challenge traditional fast food.[1][4] Timing aligns with surging vegan demand—projected to grow amid health, sustainability trends—fueled by post-pandemic shifts to indulgent yet ethical eating, where its fun branding converts skeptics.[1] Market forces like minority-led businesses gaining VC traction (e.g., $25M Series A) and tech exec hires like Maillian (ex-digitalundivided CEO, investor in 40+ startups) position it to influence the $5B+ alt-protein ecosystem by proving Black women-led scalability.[2][3][5] It shapes broader tech-food convergence by modeling resilient growth: rapid scaling via software, crisis recovery through infrastructure tech, and ecosystem impact via community philanthropy, inspiring diverse founders in foodtech.[1][4]
Under "Slutty Vegan 2.0," expect accelerated expansion with 10+ new locations, VOAGIES rollout, CPG lines, and tech-driven customer models led by Maillian's expertise in scaling nine-figure brands.[2][3] Trends like AI personalization in dining, vegan mainstreaming, and women-led VC will propel it toward sustained $100M+ valuation, potentially via franchising or acquisitions. Its influence may evolve from viral disruptor to blueprint for resilient, tech-augmented food empires, redefining Black excellence in business while tying back to Cole's apartment-born vision of joyful, universal vegan access.[1][4]
Slutty Vegan has raised $25.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $25.0M Series A in May 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2022 | $25.0M Series A | ACME Capital, Collab Capital, Jenny Fielding, New Voices Fund, Plug & Play Ventures, Reign Ventures, Serena Ventures, TechSquare Labs |