Gladys Knight sues her son over Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles debacle

[milven]

By A.R. Shaw | August 30, 2016
Gladys Knight wanted to give her son, Shanga Hankerson, an opportunity to achieve success. So when he came up with an idea to open a restaurant in 1997, Knight allowed her son to use her name with the hopes of giving the business an initial boost. The restaurant, Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles, soon became a staple in Atlanta and was known for its mix of breakfast and Southern cuisine. Customers would wait outside for hours to get a table and its downtown location became a popular spot for celebrities and top political figures. With the success of the first restaurant, Hankerson decided to expand the franchise and opened other locations in the Atlanta metro area.

But even with $8 million in annual sales, the three restaurants suffered due to poor management. Employees experienced bounced paychecks and delayed payments and a failed health inspection revealed deep issues within the company. In June, Hankerson was arrested on racketeering charges. According to reports by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hankerson diverted state income, sales and withholding taxes from his restaurants. He allegedly owed the Georgia Department of Revenue $1 million in unpaid taxes, penalties and interest.

The three restaurants were raided and property and funds were seized by authorities. Knight initially reassured customers after the restaurants failed inspections.

However, Knight has apparently decided to remove herself from the franchise completely. Knight recently filed a lawsuit against her son and wants to force him to remove her name and image from the business. The “Midnight Train to Georgia” singer also wants money from her son and wants to force him to remove all memorabilia featured in the restaurants.

Without Knight’s name on the brand of Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles, it would appear that the franchise which once served as an Atlanta landmark could be in the midst of its final days.

A mother's love can do just so much for her son. She gave him a great opportunity and he misused that opportunity because of his greed. He is definitely his father's son. Gladys' ex-husband Barry Hankerson ripped off his own wife and other artists such as Toni Braxton.

Gladys need not worry about her name being ruined by her son's greed. It will not affect the love and admiration that her fans [[including this one) have for Gladys.

http://rollingout.com/2016/08/30/gla...ffles-debacle/

[Luciano]

Gladys must be furious with her son. From interviews she made it clear what she expected from him. It's very sad but I am sure she knows she has to put him in his place. Tough love!

[marv2]

I hope he learns a lesson from all of this.

[midnightman]

That's one hardheaded boy. Gladys don't play...

[Motown Eddie]

I hope he learns a lesson from all of this.

And here's a song by Gladys & the Pips that says it all;

https://youtu.be/SV28Ez3rNv8

[marybrewster]

He owes the IRS a million bucks? Gladys better stand in line.

[jobeterob]

IRS comes first. She'll see nothing I bet.

[milven]

I don't think he owes her anything...except her good name. And that is what she wants back. She does not want her name associated with the restaurant, and she does not want anything related to her sold or displayed in the restaurants.

The restaurants will probably all soon be closed anyway. I think two already are shuttered. Shame on him and his greed. He should have named the restaurants after his father. It would have been more appropriate.