Updated: April 27, 2026
Pinky Cole, the bold and brilliant founder of Slutty Vegan, has built a plant-based empire that’s anything but ordinary. But behind her success is a loving partnership with her husband, Derrick Hayes. Their story blends business ambition, family values, and real-life resilience in the spotlight. As Pinky steps into The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 17, fans are curious about the man who stands beside this vegan queen.
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Who Is Pinky Cole’s Husband?
Derrick Hayes is a self-made entrepreneur, proud father, and the founder and CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. Originally from Philadelphia, he now calls Atlanta home, where he turned an abandoned gas station into a multimillion-dollar franchise empire. Derrick describes himself as “Father 1st, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist” — and he lives that motto every day.
He and Pinky first crossed paths in 2020 during what was supposed to be a simple business meeting in Atlanta. Sparks flew, and the connection was instant. Derrick brings a grounded, food-loving energy that perfectly complements Pinky’s fiery drive. While her brand focuses on creative vegan burgers, his specializes in classic cheesesteaks — a fun contrast that shows opposites (or at least different menus) can attract and thrive together.
Their Love Story: From DMs to “I Do”
Pinky once slid into Derrick’s DMs, and the rest, as they say, is history. They got engaged in 2022 during the ESSENCE Festival of Culture in a memorable public proposal. On June 10, 2023, they tied the knot in a glamorous, star-studded ceremony at The St. Regis in Atlanta. The event featured 300+ guests, including celebrities like Jeezy, with Montell Jordan officiating and Tasha Cobbs Leonard providing soulful music.
Pinky has called it her “Cinderella wedding” — full of elegance, Southern charm, and pure joy. Even amid their busy restaurant lives, they made time to celebrate big. In recent interviews, Pinky shared fresh insights into their marriage, noting how similar they are despite running separate food businesses. She highlighted the importance of keeping their empires independent while supporting each other fully.
Here’s a quick overview of their key milestones:
- Met: 2020 in Atlanta (business meeting turned romance)
- Engaged: 2022 at ESSENCE Festival
- Married: June 10, 2023, at The St. Regis, Atlanta
- Shared Philosophy: Two different empires, one powerful household
Building a Blended Family Together
Family is at the heart of Pinky and Derrick’s world. Derrick brought two daughters, Denver and Dallas, from a previous relationship. Together, the couple has welcomed three young children:
- Daughter D’Ella
- Son Derrick Hayes Jr.
- Son David Asher Hayes (born December 2023)
Pinky has joked that life comes at you fast with kids aged around 4, 3, and 2 — but their blended family of five (plus Derrick’s older daughters) radiates love and teamwork. Derrick often emphasizes being a present father, and the couple navigates parenting while scaling their brands. Pinky has opened up about the challenges of marriage and business, especially during tough financial moments for Slutty Vegan. She shared on podcasts how they keep their companies separate to avoid mixing pressures, yet lean on each other emotionally. “That’s the beauty of marriage,” she noted.
Quick Family Facts Table:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Husband | Derrick Hayes, CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks |
| Wedding Date | June 10, 2023 |
| Children Together | D’Ella, Derrick Jr., David Asher |
| Derrick’s Older Kids | Denver and Dallas |
| Family Size | Blended family of 7 |
| Shared Values | Entrepreneurship, philanthropy, family-first |
The Power Couple Dynamic: Challenges and Wins
Running two massive restaurant brands isn’t easy, especially when one is fully vegan and the other serves cheesesteaks. Pinky and Derrick have faced public scrutiny over their “opposites attract” businesses, yet they turn it into strength. They franchise simultaneously — Pinky with Slutty Vegan locations and Derrick expanding Big Dave’s across states.
Recent years brought real tests. Pinky dealt with business hurdles and even bankruptcy filings, while Derrick’s success was soaring. She has been candid about not always sharing every detail immediately and the emotional balancing act of being newlyweds during growth pains. Still, their bond shines through. Derrick supports Pinky’s RHOA journey with humor (joking he’ll never win another argument), and they continue building as a franchise power couple.
- Strengths: Mutual respect for separate businesses, shared entrepreneurial spirit, and family focus
- Inspirations: Turning personal pain into motivation and showing resilience in the public eye
- Current Vibe: Franchising together, parenting young kids, and appearing stronger than ever
Their story reminds us that successful relationships often involve honest communication, space for individual wins, and celebrating each other’s empires.
Conclusion
Pinky Cole’s husband, Derrick Hayes, is far more than a supportive spouse — he’s a driven entrepreneur, devoted dad, and true partner in every sense. From a chance business meeting to a fairy-tale wedding and a growing family, their journey is equal parts inspiring and relatable. In a world that loves to pit differences against each other, Pinky and Derrick prove that two bold restaurateurs can build separate successes while creating one beautiful life together.
Whether you’re a Slutty Vegan fan, a cheesesteak lover, or simply rooting for power couples, their story offers a fresh take on love, ambition, and balance. Here’s to more chapters from this Atlanta duo — may their empires (and family) keep thriving.
This post is for informational and entertainment purposes based on publicly available details as of April 2026.