Chipotle
Workplace Accountability Record
· Quick-Service Restaurants
· CMG
Over $9.4M in child labor penalties across Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington DC. More than 44,000 alleged child labor violations identified across multiple states. Federal DOL citation for assigning minors to operate hazardous equipment.
Accountability Snapshot
$9.4M+
Cumulative child labor penalties
Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington DC
30,660
Alleged violations (NJ alone)
Identified in 2020 state audit
13,253
Alleged violations (MA)
Across 50+ locations
Observed Pattern
Persistent pattern of child labor violations across multiple states spanning 2020 to present. Violations consistently involve minors working past legal hours, exceeding weekly hour limits, and working without required permits. Scale of violations — over 44,000 alleged across three states alone — suggests systemic scheduling and compliance failures rather than isolated incidents.
Accountability Timeline
Jan 29, 2025
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC. at ORLANDO, FL. Found 2 violation(s): 2 .
Nov 13, 2024
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of WA317983212 - CHIPOTLE SERVICES LLC at SEATTLE, WA. Found 1 violation(s): 1 .
Sep 24, 2024
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of WA317982428 - CHIPOTLE SERVICES LLC at SEATTLE, WA. Found 3 violation(s): 3 .
Aug 15, 2024
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of 317737462 - CHIPOTLE SERVICES LLC at BEAVERTON, OR. Found 2 violation(s): 2 .
Feb 28, 2024
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of WA317978740 - CHIPOTLE SERVICES LLC at BATTLE GROUND, WA. Found 3 violation(s): 3 .
Dec 4, 2023
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of WA317977403 - CHIPOTLE SERVICES LLC at TUKWILA, WA. Found 3 violation(s): 3 .
Nov 30, 2023
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of WA317977437 - CHIPOTLE SERVICES LLC at SEATTLE, WA. Found 5 violation(s): 5 .
Sep 1, 2023
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of WA317975710 - CHIPOTLE SERVICES LLC at SILVERDALE, WA. Found 1 violation(s): 1 .
Aug 28, 2023
Labor Relations
Washington DC Attorney General found over 800 potential violations of child labor law at Chipotle locations over three years. Most involved scheduling minors for later or longer hours than permitted. Investigation triggered by violations found in other states.
$322400 penalty
Jun 16, 2023
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of CHIPOTLE at INDIANAPOLIS, IN. Found 1 violation(s): 1 .
May 12, 2023
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL at RED BANK, NJ. Found 1 violation(s): 1 .
Mar 3, 2023
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL at SOUTH PORTLAND, ME. Found 5 violation(s): 5 .
Oct 19, 2022
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL at EL PASO, TX. Found 1 violation(s): 1 .
Sep 20, 2022
Labor Relations
New Jersey Department of Labor audit identified approximately 30,660 alleged violations impacting minors at Chipotle locations across the state. Historic settlement — largest child labor penalty in New Jersey history. Company required to implement comprehensive compliance plan across 85 NJ locations.
$7750000 penalty
Jan 13, 2022
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of WA317967140 - CHIPOTLE SERVICES LLC at OLYMPIA, WA. Found 1 violation(s): 1 .
Dec 30, 2020
Labor Relations
Federal investigation found Chipotle assigned five minor employees to repeatedly load and operate trash and cardboard compactors at Commerce, CA location. Minors assigned to compactor teams three times daily regardless of age. $27,150 in civil penalties.
$27150 penalty
Jul 23, 2020
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL, INC. at IRVINE, CA. Found 1 violation(s): 1 .
Jul 16, 2020
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL INC. at PINOLE, CA. Found 1 violation(s): 1 .
Jan 28, 2020
Labor Relations
Largest child labor penalty ever issued by the state. Violations included minors working past midnight, exceeding 48 hours per week, and working without permits. Teenagers reported hours prevented them from keeping up with schoolwork. Total settlement closer to $2M including sick time violations.
$1370000 penalty
Oct 22, 2019
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of WA317956626 - CHIPOTLE SERVICES LLC at BELLINGHAM, WA. Found 4 violation(s): 4 .
Oct 11, 2018
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of 98357 - CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL INC at SHAKOPEE, MN. Found 2 violation(s): 2 .
Aug 27, 2018
Workplace Safety
OSHA inspection of CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL at MENTOR, OH. Found 2 violation(s): 2 .
Primary Sources
Verified public records and government databases
DOL Wage and Hour Division — Dept of Labor
https://www.dol.gov/
https://www.dol.gov/
Checked May 22, 2025
State Attorney General Actions — State AGs (MA, NJ, DC)
Checked May 22, 2025
OSHA Enforcement Data (Bulk) — Dept of Labor / OSHA
https://enforcedata.dol.gov/
https://enforcedata.dol.gov/
Checked May 23, 2026