Burger King franchise group accused of hundreds of child labour violations at Wisconsin restaurants

Show is a Burger King restaurant location in Philadelphia, Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says a Wisconsin Burger King franchise owner had 1,656 child labour and wage payment law violations over a two-year span at its restaurants across the state.

Those allegations include 14 and 15-year-olds starting work without a child labour permit, minors working six-hour or longer shifts without a required break, and children under 16 working before or after the hours permitted for school-age workers, or working more hours than they were given.

“My administration and I are committed to cracking down on fraud and abuse impacting Wisconsin workers, most especially our kids, and we will continue this good work to ensure our laws are working for the folks and families we serve,” Evers said in a news release.

Evers says the violations, which included more than 600 children from 2023 to 2025, are the largest amount of child labour and wage payment infractions in modern Wisconsin history.

The franchisee in question, Cave Enterprises, runs 105 Burger King locations in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is ordering Cave Enterprises to pay more than US$237,000 in unpaid wages to the employees affected, and penalties of up to $828,000 ($500 per violation for the 1,656 infractions).

“For kids who choose to work, child labour laws provide essential protection to ensure that they can continue to do well in school and enjoy the best parts about growing up in Wisconsin while staying safe in the workplace,” DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek said.