Racial discrimination lawsuit filed against Waffle House

<p>Eight people have filed a federal lawsuit against Waffle House Inc., claiming they experienced racial discrimination at Atlanta-area Waffle House restaurants.</p><p>The lawsuit against the Norcross-based restaurant chain was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.</p><p>The plaintiffs in the case are black.</p><p>One plaintiff, Eli Jackson of Atlanta, claimed that, unlike white customers, he had to pay in advance for his meal. Another, Hakieem Mack, also of Atlanta, said he placed a carryout order at one restaurant and was told he would have to pick it up at another location.</p><p>A Waffle House spokesman said Tuesday he had not seen a copy of the lawsuit. But spokesman Pat Warner said the chain treats complaints seriously and has fired employees found guilty of discrimination in the past.</p><p>"Our doors are open to everyone," Warner said. "The bottom line is 160 million customers come through our doors every year, and we try to ensure that everyone has a good time."</p><p>Two other plaintiffs, John Scott and his fiancee, Krystyll Gardner, claim they were confronted by a knife-wielding cook who shouted racial slurs at them at a Waffle House in Alpharetta. They say they were later pulled over by Alpharetta police who made them sign a form agreeing never to return to that Waffle House.</p><p>Warner said the company's records show that only two of the plaintiffs filed complaints. Their allegations were investigated and found to be without merit, he said.</p><p>Tuesday's suit is another in a wave of discrimination lawsuits filed in recent years against the privately held company. In September, lawsuits were filed against 13 Waffle Houses in five states, including four in Georgia.</p><p>The other plaintiffs in this latest suit are Tashina Green of Atlanta, Clarence Watson of Griffin, Terrance Taylor of Stockbridge and Brenda French of Atlanta.</p><p>___</p><p>On the Net:</p><p>Waffle House Inc.: www.wafflehouse.com</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x28667cc)</p>