Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems Inc. paid $24,660 in penalties after regulators found child labor law violations at franchise stores in New Jersey and threer other states, the U.S. Labor Department said Tuesday.

Among the violations: At least some of the stores allowed 14- and 15-year-old employees to work past 7 p.m. on school nights; past 9 p.m. during the summer; and more than three hours on school days, the department said.

"Child labor laws exist to protect employed minors and ensure their work experience does not compromise their health, well-being, or education,” said Charlene Rachor, wage and hour district director based in Lawrence.

Wall-based Jersey Mike's has about 2,000 stores and is one of the nation's fastest-growing franchise operators.

The penalty from the Labor Department comes as employers from cleaning crews to municipalities needing lifeguards struggle for another summer to find enough employees to keep up with demand.

The Labor Department said it conducted investigations at Jersey Mike's stores in Freehold, Long Branch, Neptune and Red Bank; Radnor and Horsham, Pennsylvania; Jacksonville and Salisbury, North Carolina; and Bend, Oregon.

In addition to excessive hours, the agency found Jersey Mike's didn't maintain proof-of-age records for minors, it said.

Federal law prohibits 14- and 15-year-olds from working:

• More than three hours on a school day, including Fridays.
• More than eight hours on a non-school day.
• More than 18 hours a week when school is...

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