The U.S. Department of Labor has obtained an enhanced compliance agreement from a Captain D’s restaurant franchisee to ensure future compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor provisions after an investigation of its Cleveland, Tennessee location found child labor violations.
The action comes after the department’s Wage and Hour Division learned that a minor employed by Two Beacons LLC, operating as Captain D’s, was hurt by hot grease while using a manual fryer. Investigators found that Captain D’s allowed minor employees to manually lower food into hot oil deep fryers, which is prohibited for 14- and 15-year-olds. Minors were also permitted to operate a commercial-grade batter mixer, which is prohibited for workers under age 18, violating federal child labor provisions under the FLSA. The employer also permitted 14- and 15-year-olds to work outside of legally allowed hours.
The franchisee paid $62,235 in civil money penalties to resolve the child labor violations and signed an enhanced compliance agreement that affects all seven of its current and future locations. Under the agreement, the employer will modify the uniforms of employees under 16-years-old to distinguish them from older employees, ensure youth workers are informed of their rights, and hold managers accountable to child labor regulations, including the possibility of termination for violations.
In fiscal year 2025, the department investigated 976 cases with child labor violations involving 5,272 minors nationwide, including 773 minors employed in violation of hazardous occupation standards. The department assessed employers more than $37 million in civil money penalties to address violations.
Employees and employers can contact the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers are encouraged to use the agency’s industry-specific compliance assistance toolkits to learn about their responsibilities under the laws enforced by the division.