Slutty Vegan Gifts Brooklyn Store to Destiny Correa as First Operating Franchisee

Slutty Vegan named Destiny Correa its first-ever operating franchisee, converting the brand's Fulton Street location in Brooklyn, New York into its first operating franchised restaurant. The company announced the move on October 14, 2026, according to PR Newswire.

Correa Takes Ownership of Fulton Street

Correa spent nearly five years as general manager of the Fulton Street location, helping build it into one of Slutty Vegan's flagship restaurants. Founder and CEO Pinky Cole Hayes gifted her the store outright, and Slutty Vegan waived both the initial franchise fee and the recurring marketing fee typically required of new franchise partners. The Fulton Street location now operates under Correa's ownership.

"I walked into this store five years ago as a manager, and now I'm walking back in as the owner," Correa said. "Most people in this industry never get told that ownership is possible for them. Pinky told me it was, and then she helped make it a reality."

Cole Hayes said Correa ran the store as though it were already hers. "Destiny helped get Slutty Vegan Brooklyn up and running and has managed it beautifully ever-since," Cole Hayes said. "She showed up every single day for five years and ran that store like it was already hers."

Slutty Vegan's Franchise Expansion

Slutty Vegan operates a plant-based fast-casual restaurant chain founded in Atlanta in 2018, according to akta.pro company records. The company raised a $25 million Series A in May 2022 led by Union Square Ventures, and its headcount range is 101-250. The company was valued at $100 million at its peak, and its revenue estimate is $10 million-$25 million.

Earlier Franchise Agreements

In September 2026, Slutty Vegan signed a franchise agreement with Soul Republic Hospitality Group to open a Cincinnati location, its third Ohio market, PR Newswire reported. In July 2026, the brand signed franchise agreements to enter Ohio with locations in Columbus and Cleveland, marking its debut in the Midwest, PR Newswire reported. In June 2026, Slutty Vegan signed a franchise agreement for its first Midwest location in Detroit (Corktown), with operator Obinani Iwuoha, according to akta.pro company records.

The company's move into franchising follows additional franchise deals announced in Washington, D.C., Detroit, Ohio and Atlanta. Slutty Vegan's franchise opportunity is detailed on its company website.