Pinky Cole Hayes, the high-profile founder of the Slutty Vegan restaurant empire, is navigating a challenging financial chapter after filing for personal Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The filing, submitted on February 12, reveals that the Atlanta-based entrepreneur is facing nearly $1.4 million in debt. This news comes at a pivotal moment for Pinky, who recently confirmed her spot as a cast member on the upcoming season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, where she will appear alongside returning favorites like Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks.
The financial details, revealed in court documents, show that the bulk of Pinky’s debt includes $1.2 million owed to the U.S. Small Business Administration and an additional $192,000 owed to the Georgia Department of Revenue. These mounting liabilities follow a rapid expansion for Slutty Vegan, which grew from a single food truck in 2018 to 14 brick-and-mortar locations. However, that growth has faced recent setbacks, including the closure of several outposts and a lawsuit from an Edgewood Avenue landlord alleging over $87,000 in unpaid rent and late fees.
Despite these debts, the filings show that Pinky maintains significant assets totaling approximately $3.7 million. A significant portion of this wealth is tied to $2.8 million in real estate, comprising her primary residence and investment properties located throughout Georgia and in Baltimore, Maryland. Her personal property, valued at over $854,000, comprises diverse assets, including a Baltimore liquor license, commercial business equipment, and a valuable customer email list with 40,000 entries.
The documents also emphasize a stark contrast between Pinky’s current monthly earnings and her living costs. Her reported monthly income stands at $14,583, while her monthly expenses total $41,700. Beyond the bankruptcy, she is managing several ongoing legal hurdles, including a wage claim in Fulton County and a real estate dispute in Texas. Despite the current deficit, Pinky expressed optimism in the filings, noting that she anticipates more growth and new opportunities in the near future.
A bankruptcy teleconference is currently set for March 12, with a formal repayment plan due to the court by June 12. As she prepares for her reality television debut, Pinky remains focused on restructuring her finances while maintaining her presence in the hospitality industry.
