Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole is being sued for $87,312.65 in unpaid rent related too two of her Atlanta restaurant locations, according to a complaint filed in Fulton County State Court.The lawsuit, brought by an affiliate of real estate firm Asana Partners LLC, alleges breach of lease agreements for properties housing Cole’s Slutty Vegan and The Morning After restaurants.
The legal action adds to a series of recent financial and operational hurdles for Cole’s restaurant group. Slutty Vegan, which rapidly expanded from a 2019 food truck venture to 14 locations across four states, has since scaled back to five restaurants. Several Bar vegan locations, a separate concept co-founded by Cole, have also closed in recent months.This lawsuit underscores the challenges faced by fast-growing businesses,notably in the competitive restaurant industry,and the potential for financial strain even after initial success.
The complaint details approximately $40,000 in past due rent, compounded by a 5% late fee and a 7% interest rate on the outstanding balance. The lawsuit states the landlord has suffered damages “in no event less than” $87,312.65, plus accruing rent of $13,665.34 per month.
This lawsuit is the latest challenge for Cole, who also reported the theft of her Bentley in May while in front of her newest Atlanta location. At the time, Cole stated, ”We can’t catch a break, but you know, God is still good.”
