Wisconsin officials say a Burger King franchisee committed more than 1,600 child labor violations statewide, calling it the largest crime in modern state history. (IFX 6)
Wisconsin officials are seeking more than $1 million from the operator of a Burger King franchise after finding the company engaged in more than 1,600 child labor and wage violations affecting hundreds of children across the state.
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) said Cave Enterprises Operations LLC, an Illinois-based company that operates 105 Burger King franchises in Wisconsin, committed at least 1,656 violations of child labor and wage laws during a two-year period ending in January 2025.
State officials described the case as “the largest child labor and wage violation conviction in modern Wisconsin history.”
According to DWD, the violation affected more than 600 children. The organization found that 593 workers aged 14 and 15 were allowed to start work without the required child work permits, 627 young workers worked shifts of six hours or more without a legally required meal break, and hundreds of children under the age of 16 worked outside the permitted hours or exceeded child worker limits.
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A Burger King location, seen in Wisconsin. (FOX 6 / Fox News)
Gov. Tony Evers said the enforcement action reflects the state’s responsibility to protect children at work.
“Here in Wisconsin, we have a proud history of ensuring that employees are treated with dignity and respect, and that is especially true when it comes to our children,” Evers said. “We have a responsibility to ensure that working children are protected from exploitation, from employers’ employment practices, and from hazardous or illegal working conditions.”
Evers, a Democrat, criticized Republican lawmakers, saying they are weakening child protections across the country, while saying his administration is committed to holding employers accountable.
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The Equal Rights Division of the DWD opened its investigation after reviewing the department’s records that showed 33 separate complaints of child labor and wage payment against private companies Cave Enterprises between 2020 and 2023. The agency reviewed employment records related to children from Jan. 1, 2023, until Jan. 25, 2025, before issuing the decision letter.
The Burger King logo is seen in the mall. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Under the settlement, Cave Enterprises must pay $237,437.29 in unpaid regular wages, overtime wages, and punitive wages directly to the affected employees. DWD said workers are entitled to damages of up to 200% of lost wages under federal law.
In addition to wages owed to workers, DWD is seeking up to $828,000 in fines — calculated at $500 per violation — which would bring the company’s total exposure to more than $1 million.
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State officials said the high penalty reflects the prevalence of violations in multiple business areas, the large number of children involved, violations of multiple statutory provisions, and the company’s past enforcement history involving child labor and wage issues in more than a dozen locations.
DWD said it is willing to resolve the matter without taking court action if Cave Enterprises pays both the wages owed to the workers and the court penalty within 20 days of receiving the decision letters. The penalty determination letter will be issued separately from the wage determination.
An exterior view of a Burger King restaurant in Danville, Pennsylvania. (Photos by Paul Weaver/SOPA/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)
If Cave Enterprises fails to make payments on time, DWD said it will pursue law enforcement through the Wisconsin Department of Justice, and the amount of the final fine will be determined by the court, if the decision is against the company.
State officials also ordered Cave Enterprises to immediately comply with Wisconsin’s Minority Employment Act and related laws, warning the company could face additional penalties for any future violations.
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Cave Enterprises Operations LLC did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
