11 Crumbl Cookies' franchises violate child labor regulations

A federal investigation into child labor violations by Crumbl Cookies franchises found 11 operators in six states allowed young employees to work more than the law permits or in hazardous or prohibited occupations.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division found violations affecting 46 workers at Crumbl Cookies’ locations in California, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.

These violations ranged from employing some minor-aged employees to work longer and later than the time the law allows to assigning others to operate potentially dangerous ovens and machinery.

The division assessed $57,854 in penalties to resolve the child labor violations.

North Carolina stores, located in Brier Creek, Morrisville, Raleigh, Wake Forest, Durham, Holly Springs and other locations were not included in the violations.

“Employers must ensure that part-time employment does not jeopardize the safety or education of young workers,” said Betty Campbell, Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator in Dallas. “It is the responsibility of every employer who hires minor workers to understand child labor laws, and comply with them or potentially face costly consequences.”

The division that completed the child labor investigations at Crumbl locations released a statement:

"Whether school is in session or not, 14- and 15-year-old workers cannot work more than 8 hours per day or exceed 40 hours per work week. In addition, employers must not allow these workers to work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on any day, except from June 1 through Labor Day, when nighttime work hours are extended to 9 p.m. All workers under the age of 18 are banned from occupations considered hazardous by federal law."

In 2022, the Wage and Hour Division found more than 3,800 minors employed in violation of child labor laws, an increase of 37 percent over the previous year. Minors employed in violation of hazardous orders were up 26 percent in the same period, with a total of 688 minors found to be working in hazardous occupations.