The Deal
Slutty Vegan has signed a franchise agreement to enter Cincinnati, marking the Atlanta-founded plant-based burger brand's third market in Ohio and the latest sign of accelerating momentum in its national franchise push. The agreement was executed by Soul Republic Hospitality Group, led by founder Akin Affrica — the same operator already contracted to open Slutty Vegan locations in Columbus and Cleveland, both of which are scheduled to debut in fall 2026.
The Cincinnati signing underscores a deliberate strategy by the brand to deepen relationships with proven operators rather than cast widely for new franchise partners. Soul Republic's reinvestment into a third market, before its first two Ohio units have even opened, signals operator-level confidence in the concept's unit economics and consumer demand curve — a dynamic that is increasingly rare in the current fast-casual franchising environment, where new signings have slowed amid higher buildout costs and tighter lending conditions.
Ohio Becomes a Proving Ground
Affrica cited firsthand demand data from pre-opening activity as the driver behind the Cincinnati decision. "After signing on for Cleveland and Columbus, we saw firsthand how much demand there is for this brand in Ohio," he said. "Adding Cincinnati was an easy decision. We know the market, we know the guest, and we are ready to bring that same energy here." Cincinnati rounds out Ohio's three largest metro markets for the brand, giving Slutty Vegan a triangulated footprint across the state.
For Slutty Vegan, the optics of a multi-unit operator returning for additional development agreements carry strategic weight in franchise sales conversations. Pinky Cole Hayes, Founder and CEO, framed the reinvestment in commercial terms: "When a franchise partner comes back to invest in a third market, that further compounds the fact that our brand is valuable and in demand."
No address or opening timeline for the Cincinnati unit has been disclosed; the company said those details will be released as the buildout progresses.
Brand Context
Founded in Atlanta in 2018 as a food truck, Slutty Vegan has scaled into a multi-unit fast-casual operator with locations across the United States, built on a high-energy service model and bold marketing identity. The brand occupies a specific niche in the plant-based fast-casual segment, positioning vegan comfort food as a mainstream, indulgent choice rather than a health-driven compromise — a positioning that has helped it attract consumers well beyond a core vegan demographic.
Cole Hayes's profile has risen considerably in 2026 through her appearance on Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta, a platform that has extended brand awareness into markets the company has not yet entered. That kind of earned media exposure has historically accelerated franchise inquiry volume for emerging restaurant brands, giving Slutty Vegan a recruitment tailwind as it selects new development partners.
The Cincinnati agreement is the latest data point in a broader franchise expansion narrative for the brand, which has framed its growth strategy around pairing cultural cachet with operators who understand local market dynamics. Franchise information is available at sluttyveganatl.com/franchise.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
