In a recent investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits franchisee, 14th St. Chicken Corp., located at 7007 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94621, has been slapped with significant penalties totaling $212,034. The probe revealed egregious violations, including the employment of children as young as 13 and unjust denial of overtime wages for workers.
Investigators discovered that the franchisee engaged in illegal practices across its three locations in Oakland, Tracy, and Newark. The violations included hiring minors in contravention of child labor laws, compelling them to work beyond permissible hours. This marks the third instance of the Oakland-based Popeyes franchisee being cited for breaching the Fair Labor Standards Act, following violations in 2003 and 2022 at the Oakland and Tracy restaurants, respectively.
The investigation resulted in a recovery of $39,826 in unpaid overtime wages for 15 employees, with an additional $39,826 in damages. In a stern response to the child labor violations, the franchisee faces civil money penalties amounting to $121,104, while an additional $12,104 penalty has been imposed for overtime violations.