She’ll be serving as the company’s newest ambassador!
Pinky Cole Hayes is a renowned restaurateur, philanthropist, and founder of the uber-popular Slutty Vegan franchise. Launched in 2018, Cole has grown her plant-based business from a humble food truck to a $100 million empire with locations in multiple cities. Cole credits the success of her company to early supporters in her local community and major brands who understood the vision and got behind her products. Now, Cole is partnering with one of those brands to spotlight the nation’s best Black-owned restaurants, Essence reports.
Cole Hayes has now teamed up with PEPSI Dig In to serve as an ambassador, highlighting some of the best Black-owned restaurants in the U.S. The initiative is geared at providing access, accelerating business growth, and raising awareness for Black-owned restaurants. PEPSI Dig In is now hoping to leverage some of Cole’s people power to offer rewards programs for eager participants.
“Slutty Vegan wouldn’t be where it is today without its community of fans. From the start they’ve been dedicated and loyal in supporting Slutty Vegan…That’s why I’m thrilled to be partnering with PEPSI Dig In, a platform that has been there for me since the beginning, to inspire even more foodies to be vocal about their favorite restaurants and help crown them Restaurant Royalty,” Cole said via statement.
The “Restaurant Royalty” program will allow fans to submit their favorite local restaurants from now until June 30th in exchange for winning prizes like JetBlue flights and tickets to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The goal is to create an interactive experience that engages the local community while amplifying the work of Black food entrepreneurs.
“PEPSI Dig In has been a proud supporter of Slutty Vegan since the beginning and part of the restaurant’s success is a testament to the platform’s mission to help grow the business it backs. Programs like Restaurant Royalty are an integral step in that process because it rallies restaurants’ existing fans, engages new ones, and leverages the Pepsi brand’s network and scale to help make a long-term impact,” explained Scott Finlow, CMO of PepsiCo Global Foodservice.
To submit your favorite Black-owned restaurant to be crowned “Restaurant Royalty, visit DigInShowLove.com.
Cover photo: Pinky Cole Partners With Pepsi to Spotlight Nation’s Best Black-Owned Restaurants/Photo Credit: Slutty Vegan/Forbes