Young workers engaged in safe practices at a fast-food restaurant.
Massachusetts has significantly increased penalties for child labor violations at major fast-food chains, including Dunkin’, McDonald’s, and Subway. Attorney General Andrea Campbell is dedicated to enforcing labor laws to protect minors’ safety and education. Notable fines include $140,000 for Cafua Management Company operating Dunkin’ franchises and $64,000 for Brewster Company running McDonald’s locations. The state encourages community vigilance in reporting violations to ensure compliance with labor regulations.
In a significant move to protect young workers, Massachusetts officials have taken a hard stance against child labor violations, landing a few major franchise owners in hot water and resulting in hefty fines. The spotlight shines brightly on popular names like Dunkin’, McDonald’s, and Subway, as Attorney General Andrea Campbell cracks down on violations that could potentially jeopardize the safety and education of minors.
Leading the charge, the Cafua Management Company, which operates over 80 Dunkin’ franchises across various Massachusetts cities, has been fined a staggering $140,000. The fines stem from several violations that allegedly occurred between 2020 and 2023. Reports indicate that Cafua was caught employing minors without the necessary work permits and allowing them to work past restricted hours—all practices that contravene established child labor laws.
Some of the eyebrow-raising allegations include allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to work shifts exceeding nine hours a day and permitting them to work without adult supervision after 8 p.m. Cafua’s Dunkin’ locations can be found in towns such as Billerica, Burlington, Charlestown, and Worcester, to name just a few.
Not too far behind, the Brewster Company, which operates eight McDonald’s locations, has also felt the heat. The company has been slapped with fines nearing $64,000 for breaching child labor laws between 2021 and 2024. Similar to Cafua, Brewster has been accused of not securing work permits for young workers and allowing them to work during prohibited hours. They also faced allegations concerning minors working more than the daily limit of nine hours.
The Brewster Company’s McDonald’s locations span cities like Everett, Quincy, and Woburn. With complaints rising, the fast-food giant is now under scrutiny, highlighting the importance of adhering to labor regulations.
Meanwhile, Knight Food Service, the operator of several Subway locations, has not escaped unscathed, either. They received fines totaling over $22,000 for violations identified between 2023 and 2024. Allegations against Knight include failing to obtain necessary work permits for minors, allowing them to exceed nine hours of work in a day, and even not providing meal breaks for those working longer shifts.
Subway locations operated by Knight were reportedly flagged due to these discrepancies, with many coming from towns such as Brockton.
The state has been rigorously enforcing child labor laws. In recent years, several other Dunkin’ franchise owners in Massachusetts were cited for similar violations, with one owner racking up over 1,200 infractions! Previous issues included allowing young workers to operate dangerous machinery, like hot ovens.
Massachusetts law restricts minors aged 16 and 17 from working over nine hours a day, six days a week, or more than 48 hours in total. The goal is to ensure not just their safety but also their continued education. Attorney General Campbell recently highlighted the critical need for such regulations, indicating a solid commitment from her office to enforce these laws strictly.
To further this initiative, the AG’s office encourages workers to report any infringements they may witness. Complaints can be filed easily via mass.gov/ago/fld or by calling the Fair Labor Hotline at 617-727-3465. Protecting young workers is a community effort, and everyone’s eyes and ears are essential in this ongoing endeavor.
As the dust settles from these penalties, one thing is clear—the Massachusetts labor laws are here to stay, and strict compliance is non-negotiable. The safety and well-being of young workers should always come first, and vigilance is key to ensuring that these laws are adhered to in the future.
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