ATLANTA, Ga. — A federal judge has sided with Aisha “Pinky” Cole, the founder of the popular Atlanta-based vegan restaurant chain Slutty Vegan, ordering the return of an investment property that was seized by a creditor shortly after she filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Cole filed for bankruptcy protection in February 2026 amid significant financial challenges. Court records indicate she owes approximately $1.2 million to the U.S. Small Business Administration for a COVID-19-related loan and another $192,000 in state taxes to the Georgia Department of Revenue.
According to court filings, Cole had planned to rent out the six-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Loganville (sometimes referred to in reports as the Lawrenceville area) starting in April to generate income toward paying down her debts.
However, on February 20, 2026, Guardian Asset Management—a property management and creditor-related firm—seized the property.
They changed the locks and placed a notice on a street-facing window stating that the home could not be entered until it was offered for sale.
Cole’s legal team promptly contacted Guardian, notifying them that the seizure violated the automatic stay—a key protection under federal bankruptcy law that halts most collection actions and creditor interference once a bankruptcy petition is filed.
When Guardian did not respond, Cole filed an emergency motion seeking the return of the property.
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, a federal judge ruled that Guardian had indeed violated the automatic stay.
One of Cole’s attorneys told Atlanta News First that the court ordered the property returned to Cole and awarded her attorney’s fees and other costs, citing “Guardian’s utter disregard of bankruptcy protections.
This latest development comes after Cole had already navigated prior financial restructuring.
In 2025, she entered an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors—a state-level process in which a company’s assets are transferred to a third-party administrator for sale to satisfy debts.
That process briefly resulted in Cole losing ownership of the Slutty Vegan brand before regaining control.0
Pinky Cole has become a prominent figure in Atlanta’s business and entertainment scenes. Known for her bold branding and plant-based “slutty” burgers and other menu items that have drawn long lines and celebrity attention, she is set to join the cast of the upcoming season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, which premieres on April 5.0
The case highlights the protections afforded to debtors under bankruptcy law and the potential consequences for creditors who act without court approval during an active filing.
Cole’s team has emphasized that the Loganville property served as an investment intended to help stabilize her finances rather than her primary residence.
As the bankruptcy proceedings continue, this ruling provides Cole with immediate relief regarding the seized asset while she works through her broader financial reorganization.
This article is based on reporting from Atlanta News First and cross-referenced local coverage. Court proceedings can evolve, and additional details may emerge as the case progresses.