Image via Flickr/ Random Retail

A new report released by CNN Money shows that popular sandwich chain Subway leads the fast food industry in underpaying its employees. Over the course of more than 1,100 investigations into individual Subway franchise stores from 2000 to 2013, there have been about 17,000 violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The violations have resulted in the individual restaurants having to reimburse employees more than $3.8 million.

McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts follow Subway in the number of violations. Subway’s corporate office declined to comment to CNN Money’s report, but the other two fast food restaurants sent in their following comments.

McDonald’s and our independent owner-operators share a concern and commitment to the well-being and fair treatment of all people who work in McDonald’s restaurants. Whether employed by McDonald’s or by our independent owner-operators, employees should be paid correctly. When McDonald’s learns of pay concerns in restaurants which we own and operate, we review the concerns and take appropriate action to resolve them. We trust that our independent owner-operators do the same. McDonald’s and our owner-operators employ separately but in total over 750,000 workers in the United States, and we caution against drawing broad conclusions based on the actions of a few.

From Dunkin’ Donuts:

The Department of Labor report represents a very small percentage of cases per year involving the Dunkin’ Donuts system, given that there are more than 7,700 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants independently owned and operated by our franchisees who employ approximately 120,000 crew members at any given time across the country. However, we and our franchisees, who are solely responsible for all employment decisions at their restaurants, take these matters seriously and are committed to the well-being and fair treatment of all crew members.

It’s reported that the Department of Labor partnered up with the Subway’s headquarters last year to boost compliance efforts. Check out the full report at CNN money.

Foram Mehta

Foram is a journalist by day and photographer/foodie/bookworm by night. She’s a die-hard Texan living and exploring the streets of the Big Apple just hoping to run into the likes of Kristen Wiig or Anderson Cooper. When she’s not enjoying scrumptious weekend brunches and weeknight dinner excursions to Curry Hill, you can find her rummaging flea markets and pushing around a little, red cart full of laundry or groceries.

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