Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles' downtown location flunked its third health inspection this year, earning a 65 during a Thursday check.

The troubled restaurant violated contamination, cleanliness and pest control rules, according to the state Department of Public Health restaurant inspection website.

Owner Shanga Hankerson, 40, son of the soul music legend and Atlanta native, was arrested in June on felony theft charges. Investigators said he collected tax money and failed to turn it over to the state. He faces nearly $1 million in taxes, fines and penalties and is fighting a civil racketeering case.

An investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that he was spending money on marijuana and sex parties as the restaurant sank. Knight is suing him in federal court to remove her name from the restaurant.

The eatery's Cascade location earned an "A" during its last inspection in September. A location in Lithonia closed in August.

Check here for more details on the inspection.

About the Author

Keep Reading

ajc.com

Credit: n/a

Featured

Inventor Lonnie Johnson stands with his Super Soaker water guns at JTEC Energy on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. Johnson, a former NASA engineer, is currently working on a new energy technology through his company’s JTEC device that turns thermal heat into usable energy. (Natrice Miller/AJC)