SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Labor Department fined nine Chuck E. Cheese's locations in northern California more than $28,000 in December for violating federal child-labor laws.
Labor officials said the Chuck E. Cheese's locations "illegally" permitted minors (teenagers) to operate "dangerous equipment" including trash compactors and dough mixers.
CEC and its franchisees operate 555 Chuck E. Cheese's stores located in 48 states and seven foreign countries or territories. CEC Entertainment Inc., headquartered in Irvine, TX, is the parent company of the children's arcade and pizza chain.
Targeted by the fines were outlets in Cupertino, Redwood City, Brentwood, Newark, San Bruno, Fairfield and San Jose. Officials from the Wage and Hour Division's San Francisco District Office conducted the investigation, and CEC has paid the fines.
A CEC spokesperson said the company was previously unaware of the relevant regulations but is now in full compliance with federal law, including posting warning labels on certain equipment. The labels explain that operation by minors is prohibited.
For more information on child labor laws, visit youthrules.dol.gov.
In a positive development, Chuck E. Cheese's has expanded its online videogame lineup with a new redemption title called Chuck E. Blocks. For the first time ever, players can win free CEC tickets that can be used to redeem prizes during store visits. Each player can win up to 50 tickets online. | SEE GAME SITE
