Tennessee Restaurant Franchise Fined After Minor Burned on Job
A Captain D franchisee paid more than $62,000 in penalties after exposing teenage workers to dangerous equipment and illegal hours
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Aug 26, 2026
A fast-food franchisee in Tennessee faces $62,235 in civil monetary penalties after federal investigators found minors operating hazardous kitchen machinery, resulting in an injury to one young worker.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division launched an investigation into Two Beacons LLC, operating as Captain D’s in Cleveland, after a minor employee suffered hot grease burns while operating a manual deep fryer. Federal law prohibits 14- and 15-year-olds from operating manual fryers.
Investigators also determined the restaurant permitted workers under age 18 to operate a commercial-grade batter mixer, a violation of federal hazardous occupation standards. Additionally, the employer allowed 14- and 15-year-old staff members to work hours outside of federal limits established by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
To resolve the violations, the franchisee entered into an enhanced compliance agreement covering all seven of its current and future restaurant locations. Under the terms of the agreement, the company must require employees under age 16 to wear distinct uniforms to clearly signal age-related working restrictions to supervisory staff.
The agreement also mandates employee rights education for young workers and establishes manager accountability measures, including potential termination for future child labor noncompliance.
Federal officials reported that nationwide enforcement actions in fiscal year 2025 uncovered child labor violations in 976 cases affecting 5,272 minors, resulting in more than $37 million in civil money penalties assessed against noncompliant employers.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.