The Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles location in Lithonia near the Mall at Stonecrest has permanently closed its doors.
This is the latest string of news that marks a tumultuous summer for the chicken and waffle concept that bears the name of music great Gladys Knight. In June, state revenue agents raided and temporarily closed all three locations of the restaurant chain, arrested owner Shanga Hankerson – son of Gladys Knight – on theft counts, and filed civil racketeering charges against him .
Last month, the AJC reported damaging accounts of how Hankerson spent the company's money and treated his employees .
Since the raid, the eateries have been operating under state receivership. The receiver made the decision to close the Lithonia operation because "that location was not supporting itself, and it was not in the best interest of the business to remain open," said Josh Waites, the revenue department’s chief investigator.
The last day of service at the Stonecrest location was this Sunday, Aug. 21, confirmed an employee at the flagship spot on 529 Peachtree Street downtown. That restaurant remains in operation as does the location at 3752 Cascade Road in southwest Atlanta.
The AJC has been unable to reach a company spokesperson for comment. The corporate phone number listed on the restaurant’s website is no longer in service.
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