Teen Burger King workers worked more hours than allowed, feds say. SC franchisee fined
An investigation found that dozens of teenage Burger King workers in South Carolina were working more hours than legally allowed, federal officials said.
A South Carolina Burger King franchisee will make sweeping changes to adhere to child labor policies and will pay a $17,966 fine after investigators discovered 26 minors working too many hours at the restaurant, a news release from the U.S. Department of Labor said.
Nine franchise locations of Applegreen USA Central Services LLC, which operate as Burger King, allowed 14- and 15-year-olds to work more than three hours on school days and past 7 p.m. when school was in session, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act, according to the release.
Aside from Burger King restaurants, Applegreen USA Central Services LLC also runs Pizza Hut, Subway and DeLucas franchise locations across the country.
Now, the franchisee is reviewing its workplace practices at the Burger King locations, the release said.
“What began as an investigation to determine compliance with labor standards turned into an opportunity for this business owner to make practical changes to help their workers and avoid costly violations at dozens of restaurant locations,” Wage and Hour Division District Director Jamie Benefiel said in the release. “We encourage other employers to use this agreement as a road map and to contact us for assistance.”
The U.S. Department of Labor urged employers to familiarize themselves and their team with child labor laws now that school is back in session.
In 2020 and 2021, the Department of Labor’s Southeast region found more than 190 food service employers who were in violation of child labor laws, the release said.
This story was originally published September 2, 2022 at 5:26 PM with the headline "Teen Burger King workers worked more hours than allowed, feds say. SC franchisee fined."
