A returning franchise partner has signed a third market agreement with Slutty Vegan, the Atlanta-born plant-based fast-casual concept, bringing the brand to Cincinnati and completing its presence in Ohio's three largest cities.

The Operator's Bet

Soul Republic Hospitality Group, led by founder Akin Affrica, is the group behind the deal. The same operator already holds franchise agreements for Slutty Vegan locations in Columbus and Cleveland, both of which are anticipated to open in fall 2026. Cincinnati adds a third market to that portfolio, making Soul Republic one of the brand's most committed multi-unit partners. "After signing on for Cleveland and Columbus, we saw firsthand how much demand there is for this brand in Ohio," said Affrica. "We know the market, we know the guest, and we are ready to bring that same energy here."

For Slutty Vegan's leadership, a returning franchisee investing in a third territory is a meaningful signal. "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," said Pinky Cole Hayes, Founder and CEO of Slutty Vegan. Cole Hayes founded the concept in Atlanta in 2018, building it from a food truck into a nationally recognized fast-casual brand known for bold flavors and high-energy in-store experiences.

Why Ohio, Why Now

Ohio has emerged as a key proving ground for Slutty Vegan's franchise expansion strategy. The brand's approach — pairing experienced multi-unit operators with high-opportunity regional markets — mirrors a model that has gained traction across the plant-based restaurant segment, where operators with cultural fluency and operational discipline tend to outperform single-unit first-timers. Cincinnati rounds out coverage of the state's top three metro markets, giving the brand a cohesive Midwest footprint that could support supply-chain efficiencies and regional brand awareness as all three units ramp up.

Details on the Cincinnati location's address and opening timeline have not yet been released, with the brand indicating that information will be shared as the buildout progresses.

Brand Momentum

Slutty Vegan's franchising push is accelerating alongside a surge in consumer brand awareness. Cole Hayes joined the cast of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Atlanta this year, exposing the concept to a significantly wider national audience. For operators and beverage and food franchise investors evaluating emerging fast-casual brands, that kind of mainstream visibility can meaningfully shorten brand recognition timelines in new markets. The company's franchise information is available at sluttyveganatl.com/franchise.

The Cincinnati signing underscores a broader industry pattern: in a market where new plant-based concepts continue to struggle with unit economics, brands that combine cultural identity with proven operator relationships are finding a more durable path to multi-unit scale. For Food & Beverage Magazine readers tracking the fast-casual plant-based space, Slutty Vegan's Ohio cluster will be a case study worth watching as all three locations open.

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.