A Blaze Pizza franchisee in the Las Vegas area is facing $277,414 in civil penalties for violating child labor laws.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) says the franchisee, which owns 10 Blaze Pizza stores, “employed dozens of children to perform dangerous tasks and work more hours than allowed on school days, in violation of federal regulations.”
A press release from the Department of Labor stated that the franchisee, Bryz Guys Inc., “willfully employed 23 children, ages 15 to 17, to operate industrial pizza dough mixers.”
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Additionally, the Department’s investigation found the team members were allowed to work at times that are not in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act’s child labor provisions. The press release helpfully contained a link to those provisions. The law prohibits American children ages 14 and 15 to work more than three hours on school nights—or to work after 7 p.m. after Labor Day and through May 31.
“Learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up but we must protect children and ensure their first jobs are safe and do not interfere with their education or well-being,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Gene Ramos in Las Vegas. “The Fair Labor Standards Act allows these important work experiences but ensures that when children work, they are employed in a manner that promotes their health, safety and educational opportunities.”
In a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Blaze’s corporate office said, “Our franchisee cooperated fully with the investigation and have adhered to all state and federal labor laws since May 2023.”
Pizzeria owners should familiarize themselves fully with federal regulations covering the use of child labor. According to the DOL, in the fiscal year 2023, the division found more than 5,700 children employed in violation of federal law nationwide. The division assessed more than $8 million worth of child labor-related penalties, which was an 83% increase year-over-year.
“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of all employees, particularly the youngest and most vulnerable,” Ramos added. “We continue to provide outreach and training to employers nationwide on compliance with federal wage and child labor laws.”
