US Department of Labor finds 11 Crumbl Cookies’ franchisees violated child labor regulations in 6 states, affecting 46 minor-aged workers

DALLAS – A federal investigation into child labor violations by franchisees of a Lindon, Utah-based franchise network of a fast-growing national chain of cookie bakeries found 11 operators in six states allowed young employees – many 14 and 15 years of age – 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. 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.

“Employers must ensure that part-time employment does not jeopardize the safety or education of young workers,” explained Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Betty Campbell 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 completed child labor investigations at Crumbl locations as follows:

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 workweek. In addition, employers must not allow these workers to work before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. on any day, except from June 1 through Labor Day, when nighttime work hours are extended to 9:00 p.m. All workers under the age of 18 are banned from occupations considered hazardous by federal law.

Founded in 2017, Crumbl Cookies is based in Lindon, Utah, and operates a network of franchised bakeries and dessert shops with more than 600 locations in 47 states.

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.

Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division.