The city of Hattiesburg has taken the owners of a local Cook Out fast-food restaurant to court after city leaders declared the establishment a public nuisance.
Cook Out’s Hattiesburg location sits in the heart of Hardy Street, one of the city’s busiest areas. Council members unanimously voted earlier this month to take the restaurant to court after repeated efforts to resolve what leaders say are ongoing issues with Cook Out permitting “improper or illegal” activity.
Specifically, city leaders cited in a June 11 court filing that Hattiesburg police have responded to multiple violent incidents, including a pair of shootings, at Cook Out since 2024.
City officials noted that on June 7 of this year, officers responded to a report of shots fired at the fast food outlet. Police spotted a man with a rifle on his person inside the facility and arrested him. Officers also recovered 66 shell casings around Cook Out’s property that night.
Hattiesburg officials say Cook Out has also been notorious for large crowds gathering both inside and outside of the restaurant, reportedly posing traffic concerns on Hardy Street. The large gatherings are said to be prevalent after midnight, with Cook Out being a popular late-night spot due to it being open until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
“The Defendant has permitted activities that are both illegal and dangerous to occur on and around the subject property which create an environment that is harmful to innocent patrons and others,” a portion of the court filing reads. “Further, the Defendant has failed to maintain a safe environment for the persons who frequent the establishment as well as the persons and property of adjoining landowners and businesses.”
The lawsuit was filed after city officials say they’ve attempted to reach out to Cook Out’s ownership to resolve the matter. Cook Out’s Hattiesburg location is technically under a Mississippi LLC, but according to Secretary of State Michael Watson’s office, the restaurant’s officers are in North Carolina.
Hattiesburg officials say efforts to remedy the situation have been dismissed by Cook Out’s ownership. Leaders added that they had similar issues with the Raising Cane’s restaurant located next door to Cook Out in the past, but that the owners of Raising Cane’s were much more receptive and helpful in working with the city and law enforcement.
As for the lawsuit’s purpose, city officials have confirmed that they don’t want Cook Out to be shut down. Instead, they are looking for all parties to come to the table and work out some sort of arrangement to curb alleged criminal activity at the fast food joint.