The Deal
Slutty Vegan, the Atlanta-founded plant-based burger fast-casual, has signed a franchise agreement to enter Cincinnati — its third market in Ohio and the latest move by a single operator doubling down on the brand. The agreement was executed by Soul Republic Hospitality Group, led by founder Akin Affrica, who already holds franchise rights to the Columbus and Cleveland locations.
Columbus and Cleveland are both anticipated to open in fall 2026. A specific Cincinnati address and opening timeline have not been announced; those details will be released as buildout progresses. The Cincinnati signing rounds out Ohio's three largest metro markets under one franchise group — an uncommon multi-market commitment at this stage of a brand's expansion cycle.
Why Operators Are Buying In
Affrica's decision to layer on a third market rather than wait for his first two locations to open signals strong conviction about near-term consumer demand. "After signing on for Cleveland and Columbus, we saw firsthand how much demand there is for this brand in Ohio," Affrica 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."
For franchise development watchers, the reinvestment pattern matters. Slutty Vegan founder and CEO Pinky Cole Hayes, who launched the concept from a food truck in Atlanta in 2018, has built a franchising model that targets experienced multi-unit operators rather than single-store entries. "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," Cole Hayes said. The approach mirrors what larger fast-casual chains have used to accelerate footprint growth without overextending corporate resources — prioritizing operators who can absorb the culture of the brand alongside the business mechanics.
Context for the Channel
Plant-based fast-casual continues to compete for the same high-traffic, high-visibility real estate that convenience and fuel retailers eye for foodservice program partnerships and pad-site tenants. Slutty Vegan's bold branding and community-driven positioning have driven strong earned media since launch, which can translate to forecourt traffic for operators who co-locate or cross-promote. The brand's founder has also expanded her media profile this year as a cast member on Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta, a platform that routinely introduces restaurant concepts to younger, urban consumer demographics — the same cohort convenience operators are working to attract through loyalty programs and proprietary foodservice investment.
Since 2018, Slutty Vegan has scaled from a single food truck to a nationally recognized franchise concept with locations across multiple states. The Ohio push — three major markets under one experienced hospitality group — is among the brand's most concentrated regional bets to date. Franchising 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.
