Fast Food Brands Duck Joint Liability for Child Labor Violations

Major brand names are facing new pressure to address child labor violations at their franchised locations following a surge in cases involving fast food restaurants and other businesses operating under corporate licensing agreements.

Most fast-food and drive through restaurants aren’t run by the name hanging above the door, but are actually independent owners who have signed a licensing agreement with a corporation to operate under their brand.

Throughout the Biden administration, the US Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division has cited at least 33 independent franchisees of McDonald’s, Sonic Drive-In, and Dunkin’ Donuts, among other national brands, ...