Three McDonald's franchisees will owe over $200,000 in fines after violating federal child labor laws. The three franchisees accused of violating these laws include Bauer Food, Archways Richwood, and Bell Restaurant Group. Collectively, the three groups operate 62 locations across Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, and Ohio.

Investigators with the Department of Labor announced the fines against the three franchise groups and accused them of employing at least 305 children to work above the legally permitted hours. Additionally, the restaurants are accused of employing children in work conditions that are prohibited by law for child workers.

Kentucky’s Wage and Hour Division District Director Karen Garnett-Civils explained, “Too often, employers fail to follow the child labor laws that protect young workers,” adding, “Under no circumstances should there ever be a 10-year-old child working in a fast-food kitchen around hot grills, ovens, and deep fryers.”

Bauer Food LLC is accused of employing 24 children under the age of 16 to work longer hours than legally allowed. At least two 10-year-olds were also discovered to be working in the restaurant without payment and often working as late as 2:00 a.m. A fine of $39,711 was levied against the franchise owners.

Archways Richwood, which operates 27 locations, is accused of allowing 242 minors aged 14 and 15 to work beyond legally permitted hours. A fine of $143,566 has been levied against them.

Bell Restaurant Group I LLC is also accused of employing at least 39 workers aged 14 and 15 to work longer hours than permitted. The students were also found to be working during school day hours. A fine of $29,267 was levied against them in addition to $14,730 for back pay for some employees.

According to federal child labor regulations, minor children including those aged 14 and 15 years old are protected from certain working conditions, including when and how long they can work.

Minor children can only work outside of school hours, no more than three hours on a school day including Fridays, no more than eight hours on a non-school day, and no earlier than 7:00 a.m. or later than 7:00 p.m. These working hours are extended to 9:00 p.m. between June 1 And Labor Day. Additionally, minor children may not work more than 18 hours during the school week or more than 40 hours during a non-school week.

The Department of Labor has also shared that they are seeing an increase in federal child labor violations across the nation. This increase includes children being allowed to work in hazardous conditions or operate equipment they are not legally allowed to.

They also detail that in the fiscal year 2022, at least 688 minors were found illegally employed in hazardous occupations. Children who are put to work in these hazardous conditions and for a long period of time face an increased risk of injury while on the job.