Wisconsin Pursues Over $1M from Burger King Franchisee for Child Labor Violations
Wisconsin officials say a Burger King franchisee committed more than 1,600 child labor violations across the state, calling it the largest such case in modern state history. (FOX 6)
Wisconsin officials are pursuing over $1 million from a Burger King franchise operator after uncovering more than 1,600 child labor and wage violations affecting hundreds of minors statewide.
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) reported that Cave Enterprises Operations LLC, an Illinois-based company managing 105 Burger King franchises in Wisconsin, committed at least 1,656 violations of state child labor and wage payment laws over a two-year period ending in January 2025.
State officials have labeled this case as the “largest determination of child labor and wage payment violations in modern Wisconsin history.”
According to DWD, these violations impacted over 600 children. The agency discovered that 593 employees aged 14 and 15 began work without the necessary child labor permits. Additionally, 627 minor employees worked shifts exceeding six hours without legally mandated meal breaks, and many minors under 16 worked outside permitted hours or exceeded limits set for school-age workers.
RESTAURANT GIANT FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY UNDER MASSIVE DEBT SHORTLY AFTER TOUTING MAJOR EXPANSION
A Burger King location, seen in Wisconsin. (FOX 6 / Fox News)
Governor Tony Evers emphasized that this enforcement action underscores the state’s commitment to safeguarding minors in the workforce. “Here in Wisconsin, we have a proud history of ensuring workers are treated with dignity and respect, especially our kids,” Evers stated. He added that the state has a responsibility to protect working children from exploitation and hazardous conditions.
Evers, a Democrat, criticized Republican lawmakers for weakening child labor protections, asserting that his administration is dedicated to holding employers accountable.
MCDONALD’S BRINGS BACK AN ICONIC ITEM FROM THE 1980S
The DWD’s Equal Rights Division initiated its investigation after examining 33 separate child labor and wage payment complaints against various Cave Enterprises franchises from 2020 to 2023. The agency scrutinized employment records related to minors from January 1, 2023, to January 25, 2025, before issuing a formal determination letter.
Burger King logo is seen at a shopping mall. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)
As a result of the determination, Cave Enterprises is required to pay $237,437.29 in unpaid regular wages, overtime wages, and penalty wages directly to the affected employees. Additionally, under state law, workers are entitled to liquidated damages of up to 200% of lost wages.
Beyond the owed wages, DWD is pursuing civil penalties totaling up to $828,000, calculated at $500 per violation, which could bring the company’s total potential liability to over $1 million.
STEAK ‘N SHAKE PLEDGES $1K CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRUMP ACCOUNTS FOR EMPLOYEES’ CHILDREN
State officials indicated that the heightened penalty reflects the widespread nature of the violations across multiple franchise locations, the significant number of minors affected, and the company’s previous enforcement history involving child labor and wage issues at numerous locations.
DWD has offered to resolve the matter without court intervention if Cave Enterprises pays both the owed wages and the civil penalty within 20 days of receiving the determination letters. The penalty determination letter will be issued separately from the wage determination.
An exterior view of a Burger King fast food restaurant in Danville, Pennsylvania. (Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)
If Cave Enterprises does not make timely payments, DWD has stated it will pursue enforcement through the Wisconsin Department of Justice, with the final penalty amount to be determined by a court if a ruling is unfavorable to the company.
State officials have also mandated that Cave Enterprises immediately comply with Wisconsin’s Employment of Minors laws and related regulations, warning that additional penalties may be imposed for any future violations.
CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO
Cave Enterprises Operations LLC has not yet responded to FOX Business’ request for comment.
Wisconsin officials say a Burger King franchisee committed more than 1,600 child labor violations across the state, calling it the largest such case in modern state history. (FOX 6)
Wisconsin officials are pursuing over $1 million from a Burger King franchise operator after uncovering more than 1,600 child labor and wage violations affecting hundreds of minors statewide.
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) reported that Cave Enterprises Operations LLC, an Illinois-based company managing 105 Burger King franchises in Wisconsin, committed at least 1,656 violations of state child labor and wage payment laws over a two-year period ending in January 2025.
State officials have labeled this case as the “largest determination of child labor and wage payment violations in modern Wisconsin history.”
According to DWD, these violations impacted over 600 children. The agency discovered that 593 employees aged 14 and 15 began work without the necessary child labor permits. Additionally, 627 minor employees worked shifts exceeding six hours without legally mandated meal breaks, and many minors under 16 worked outside permitted hours or exceeded limits set for school-age workers.
RESTAURANT GIANT FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY UNDER MASSIVE DEBT SHORTLY AFTER TOUTING MAJOR EXPANSION
A Burger King location, seen in Wisconsin. (FOX 6 / Fox News)
Governor Tony Evers emphasized that this enforcement action underscores the state’s commitment to safeguarding minors in the workforce. “Here in Wisconsin, we have a proud history of ensuring workers are treated with dignity and respect, especially our kids,” Evers stated. He added that the state has a responsibility to protect working children from exploitation and hazardous conditions.
Evers, a Democrat, criticized Republican lawmakers for weakening child labor protections, asserting that his administration is dedicated to holding employers accountable.
MCDONALD’S BRINGS BACK AN ICONIC ITEM FROM THE 1980S
The DWD’s Equal Rights Division initiated its investigation after examining 33 separate child labor and wage payment complaints against various Cave Enterprises franchises from 2020 to 2023. The agency scrutinized employment records related to minors from January 1, 2023, to January 25, 2025, before issuing a formal determination letter.
Burger King logo is seen at a shopping mall. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)
As a result of the determination, Cave Enterprises is required to pay $237,437.29 in unpaid regular wages, overtime wages, and penalty wages directly to the affected employees. Additionally, under state law, workers are entitled to liquidated damages of up to 200% of lost wages.
Beyond the owed wages, DWD is pursuing civil penalties totaling up to $828,000, calculated at $500 per violation, which could bring the company’s total potential liability to over $1 million.
STEAK ‘N SHAKE PLEDGES $1K CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRUMP ACCOUNTS FOR EMPLOYEES’ CHILDREN
State officials indicated that the heightened penalty reflects the widespread nature of the violations across multiple franchise locations, the significant number of minors affected, and the company’s previous enforcement history involving child labor and wage issues at numerous locations.
DWD has offered to resolve the matter without court intervention if Cave Enterprises pays both the owed wages and the civil penalty within 20 days of receiving the determination letters. The penalty determination letter will be issued separately from the wage determination.
An exterior view of a Burger King fast food restaurant in Danville, Pennsylvania. (Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)
If Cave Enterprises does not make timely payments, DWD has stated it will pursue enforcement through the Wisconsin Department of Justice, with the final penalty amount to be determined by a court if a ruling is unfavorable to the company.
State officials have also mandated that Cave Enterprises immediately comply with Wisconsin’s Employment of Minors laws and related regulations, warning that additional penalties may be imposed for any future violations.
CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO
Cave Enterprises Operations LLC has not yet responded to FOX Business’ request for comment.
