SAN RAMON, CA — A San Ramon Crumbl Cookies franchise was fined $15,417 for child labor violations, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced Tuesday. The San Ramon store was one of 11 franchise locations in six states, including three East Bay stores, accused of child labor violations, and the San Ramon store was hit with the heaviest fine in the region.
The labor department said in a news release that the 11 operators allowed young employees - many as young as 14 or 15 years old - to work more than the law permits, or in hazardous or prohibited occupations.
14 and 15-year-olds cannot work more than 8 hours a day or exceed 40 hours per week. All workers under 18 are banned from working jobs the labor department deems “hazardous,” which includes driving vehicles on public roads and using power-driven bakery machines.
The labor department issued a total of $57,854 for the violations, though it did not specify the exact nature of them. Tri-Valley Treats LLC, a San Ramon-based Crumbl franchisee that operates stores in San Ramon, Dublin and Livermore, was fined $15,417 for violations affecting nine minor employees.
The San Ramon store opened on Sunset Drive in Bishop Ranch in July 2021.
Two other East Bay locations were cited:
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