Wisconsin Targets Burger King Franchise for Child Labor Violations
Wisconsin officials are pursuing over $1 million in penalties from Burger King franchise operators after uncovering more than 1,600 instances of child labor and wage law violations impacting hundreds of young workers in the state.
The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) reported that Cave Enterprises Operations LLC, an Illinois company running 105 Burger King outlets in Wisconsin, violated state laws at least 1,656 times in a two-year span, ending in January 2025.
Officials emphasized that this case marks “the largest child labor and wage violation verdict in modern Wisconsin history.”
These infractions affected over 600 minors. Notably, 593 employees aged 14 and 15 commenced work without the necessary child labor permits. Additionally, 627 underage workers logged shifts lasting six hours or more without the legally mandated meal breaks, while many minors under 16 exceeded legal work limits.
Governor Tony Evers stated that this enforcement underscores the state’s commitment to safeguarding young workers. He noted, “Wisconsin has a proud history of ensuring that our workers, especially children, are treated with dignity and respect. We must protect working minors from exploitation and unsafe working conditions.”
Evers, a Democrat, criticized Republican lawmakers for diminishing child labor protections but affirmed his administration’s resolve to hold employers accountable.
The DWD initiated its investigation after examining 33 separate complaints related to child labor and wage issues at each Cave Enterprises franchise from 2020 to 2023. They reviewed employment records concerning minors from January 1, 2023, to January 25, 2025, before issuing a formal determination.
Cave Enterprises is mandated to pay affected workers a total of $237,437.29 for unpaid wages and penalties. Additionally, DWD indicated that state law allows for liquidated damages amounting to up to 200% of lost wages.
Beyond employee compensation, DWD is also pursuing civil penalties totaling up to $828,000, assessed at $500 per violation. This could bring the total financial repercussions for the company to over $1 million.
Officials clarified that the severe penalties reflect the extensive nature of the violations across numerous franchised locations, the significant number of minors impacted, and past issues with child labor laws at multiple stores operated by the company.
DWD proposed an opportunity for Cave Enterprises to settle the matter without litigation, provided they pay the owed wages and civil penalties within 20 days of receiving the decision.
Should the company fail to comply, DWD intends to enlist the Wisconsin Department of Justice to enforce the penalties, with final amounts potentially determined by the courts.
State officials have emphasized the urgency for Cave Enterprises to adhere to Wisconsin’s Employment of Minors Act and related regulations, cautioning that further violations could lead to additional penalties.
Cave Enterprises Operations LLC has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this matter.
