# Plant-Based Burger Brand Expansions Slutty Vegan Reports Successful Metrics in 2026 By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-08-12 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slutty-vegan References: [sluttyveganatl](http://www.sluttyveganatl.com/franchise) & [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pinky-cole-hayes-powers-slutty-vegans-comeback-with-a-standout-first-half-of-2026-302848730.html)  Slutty Vegan, the [plant-based burger brand](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aw-plantbased-burger) founded by entrepreneur Pinky Cole Hayes, has reported a strong first half of 2026 characterized by [new franchise agreements across multiple states](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-chain), industry recognition, and the initiation of its expansion into the Florida market following a period of corporate restructuring. Slutty Vegan has signed franchise deals with experienced restaurant operators in Atlanta, Washington D.C., Detroit, and Ohio, with the Atlanta-based franchisees also leading the brand's debut in Miami, marking the first step into the Sunshine State. Cole Hayes has received several accolades during this period, including recognition on the [Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-chicken) list, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Black Chamber of Arizona, and an ambassadorial role for the CIAA basketball championship, while also appearing as a cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, which has introduced the brand to a broader television audience. Image Credit: Slutty Vegan ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 53% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 85% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Plant-based Franchise Growth:** Restaurant brands with proven vegan menus are finding scalable white-space in regional franchise partnerships that combine operational experience with differentiated food positioning. - **Celebrity-founder Food Branding:** Media visibility around charismatic founders is reshaping customer acquisition as entertainment exposure becomes a powerful extension of restaurant marketing. - **Post-restructuring Expansion:** Corporate turnarounds in fast casual dining are increasingly tied to disciplined market entry strategies that signal renewed investor and franchisee confidence. ### Where This Applies - **Fast Casual Restaurants:** Plant-forward concepts are expanding competitive pressure in fast casual dining by blending indulgent menu design with values-driven consumer demand. - **Franchise Development:** Multi-state operator agreements are creating new pathways for emerging food brands to scale without relying solely on company-owned restaurant growth. - **Plant-based Foods:** Flavor-led vegan burger brands are broadening the plant-based category beyond retail substitutes into experiential dining and lifestyle-driven consumption. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Versatile Vegan-Friendly Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grilld-and-beyond-meat.md) - [Snack-Inspired Plant-Based Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-readytocook-range.md) - [Chef-Driven Restaurant Openings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breakfast-concept-eggslut.md) - [Plant-Based Burger Diner Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beyond-meat-and-hard-rock-cafe.md) - [Exclusive Smashburger Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steak-frites-burger.md) - [Plant-Based Cuisine QSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-king-uk-campaign.md) - [Chickpea Masala Veggie Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chickpea-masala-veggie-burger.md) - [Plant-Based Foodservice Chicken Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tindle-gourmet-chicken.md) - [Spiced Meat-Free QSR Sliders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/southwest-veggie-slider.md)