State officials have successfully recovered thousands of dollars in back pay for two dozen underage workers

State officials have successfully recovered thousands of dollars in back pay for two dozen underage workers following an investigation into child labor violations at a Wisconsin fast-food franchisee.

The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), working alongside the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Revenue (DOR), announced the recovery of $17,000 in penalty wages meant for 23 minor employees. The wages were secured following a 2024 audit of Iron Arch, an operator of multiple McDonald’s franchise locations across the state.

The audit was triggered by an employee complaint and uncovered systematic non-compliance with state employment laws governing minors. Among the infractions cited were scheduling minors during non-permitted hours, exceeding legal daily limits, and failing to provide required 30-minute rest breaks during shifts lasting six hours or more.

In addition to the back wages, DOJ enforcement led to a judgment against Iron Arch requiring $59,754 in civil forfeitures and surcharges. DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek highlighted the importance of protecting young workers from exploitation while maintaining their educational and family commitments, praising the inter-agency collaboration that made the financial recovery possible via state debt collection mechanisms.