The Department of Labor has assessed a $3,000 civil penalty against a Tennessee McDonald’s franchisee for a fire hazard it claims was a minor fryer.

Morristown, TN – A U.S. Department of Labor child labor investigation found that the operator of a McDonald’s franchise location in Morristown assigned a 15-year-old hot-oil worker to work that was considered dangerous for young workers.

Investigators with the department Wage and hour class Farris Enterprises of TN LLC, the operator of the McDonald’s location at 2505 East Morris Blvd., was found to have illegally prepared undercooked French fries without an automatic basket in a hot oil fryer, allowing the contents to be lowered and the contents raised. The department determined that the 15-year-old worker was manually removing the food from the cooker when it caught fire. The Division assessed a civil penalty of $3,258 against Fair Enterprises for child labor violations.

During the investigation, the division found that Farris Enterprises withheld wages from two employees during the overtime work week, lacked uniforms and cash registers, violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Farris has committed similar violations in the past. The division awarded $45 in back wages to the injured workers and assessed the employer $882 in civil money penalties.

“Since 2018, we’ve seen an alarming increase in federal child labor, including allowing minors to operate tools or perform work that puts them at risk or working longer hours or longer than federal law allows,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Lisa Kelly in Nashville, Tennessee. “Any employer hiring young workers needs to know what work is allowed and when they can and cannot do it. Unfortunately, our investigators are finding too many employers who are unaware of the law or choose to ignore it.

The division found 688 minors employed in hazardous occupations in fiscal year 2022, the highest annual count since fiscal year 2011.

“Young workers, their parents and other stakeholders should use our online tool or contact the Wage and Hour Department for guidance, compliance assistance or other resources,” Kelly added.

The Wage and Hour Division offers many tools to help employers understand their responsibilities and offers confidential compliance assistance to anyone asking how to comply with the law, by calling The agency’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). The department can communicate with callers in more than 200 languages. Visit the agency’s website to learn more about the wage and hour section, including Information about the protection of young workers Room Youth rules! website.