The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced that a Louisville-based fast food restaurant franchisee will have to pay thousands of dollars for violating child labor laws.The DOL put out a news release last week saying Manna Inc., which it says operates 99 Wendy's and Fazoli's restaurants across the country, will have to pay a civil money penalty of $157,114. Investigators said Manna Inc. allowed 14- and 15-year-old employees to work outside of legally approved hours, and for more hours than allowed by law.They also found that 446 minors worked before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on school nights, worked more than three hours on a school day or worked more than eight hours on a non-school day, which are all FLSA violations.Manna Inc. was built by Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, according to Louisville Business First, but at least two years ago, it had moved to the hands of his son, Ryan. WLKY has not confirmed whether he is the current CEO.In all, 18 Louisville-area Wendy's restaurants were listed as violators. Three of those are just outside of the city in Lyndon, Bardstown and Shepherdsville.The other states listed include Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee and Wisconsin.For more information about the child labor standards, the FLSA and other laws enforced by WHD, you can contact the division’s helpline at 866-4US-WAGE. Information is also available here.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced that a Louisville-based fast food restaurant franchisee will have to pay thousands of dollars for violating child labor laws.

The DOL put out a news release last week saying Manna Inc., which it says operates 99 Wendy's and Fazoli's restaurants across the country, will have to pay a civil money penalty of $157,114.


Investigators said Manna Inc. allowed 14- and 15-year-old employees to work outside of legally approved hours, and for more hours than allowed by law.

They also found that 446 minors worked before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on school nights, worked more than three hours on a school day or worked more than eight hours on a non-school day, which are all FLSA violations.

Manna Inc. was built by Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman, according to Louisville Business First, but at least two years ago, it had moved to the hands of his son, Ryan. WLKY has not confirmed whether he is the current CEO.

In all, 18 Louisville-area Wendy's restaurants were listed as violators. Three of those are just outside of the city in Lyndon, Bardstown and Shepherdsville.

The other states listed include Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

For more information about the child labor standards, the FLSA and other laws enforced by WHD, you can contact the division’s helpline at 866-4US-WAGE. Information is also available here.