Why is this Church’s Chicken in Macon closed? Health dept. notes violations

Church’s Chicken in west Macon was closed Tuesday, after it repeatedly violated state health standards, according to records from the Georgia Department of Health.

Inspector Nelson Morales Rodriguez from the Macon-Bibb County Health Department reported several “foodborne illness risk factors and public health interventions” during a three-hour observation of the fast food restaurant Monday morning, according to an inspection report.

The business, which received a 74 out of 100 for health and safety Monday, is attached to a BP gas station and located at 5394 Thomaston Road off Mercer University Drive. This is one of two Church’s Chicken locations in Macon.

The department of health requested in the report that the business should temporarily close due to these “continued repeat violations.”

• “Two pans of raw chicken” were held at improper temperatures, Rodriguez said in the health inspection report.
• “Dripping clumps” of grease built up under an oven hood vent and seeped into floor drains, which the restaurant was previously notified of, the report said.
• Some areas that did and didn’t touch food were not properly cleaned, according to the report.

Rodriguez also found structural issues including a gap and damage to an exit door, which could bring “insects and rodents,” the report said. There were also plumbing issues.

Employees were working in the kitchen Tuesday afternoon, but the front door was locked with a “temporarily closed” sign.

Despite the inspection report, Khan Sher, a manager at the restaurant, told The Telegraph in person that the business was closed because “we’re working on the (air conditioning).”

Sher said the temporary closure was not because of the health inspection, and declined to comment further.

It was unclear when the restaurant would reopen.

This story was originally published October 21, 2025 at 3:30 PM.