KFC Franchise Operator Sued for Violating NYC Worker Rights

Posted by: Brian Schaffer

On June 13, 2025, a former KFC employee filed a class action lawsuit against Value FoodService LLC and related entities that operate KFC locations in New York City. The complaint alleges violations of New York City’s Fair Workweek Law, New York Labor Law, and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

What Does the KFC Franchise Lawsuit Allege?

The lawsuit alleges that the KFC operators failed to provide predictable schedules, proper notice of schedule changes, and required pay for last-minute changes. Workers also claim they were required to work “clopening” shifts without consent or additional pay.

What Fair Workweek Violations Are Claimed?

Additional allegations include automatic meal-break deductions when breaks weren’t taken, unpaid overtime and spread-of-hours pay, uniform-maintenance issues, inaccurate wage statements, and other wage-and-hour claims.

What Are the Affected Workers Hoping to Recover?

The lawsuit seeks back pay, premium pay, penalties, and other available relief for covered workers.

An inquiry doesn’t establish that a claim exists, guarantee that the firm can accept the matter, or create an attorney-client relationship. This page provides general information, not legal advice. Don’t send confidential or time-sensitive information through an online form. Prior results don’t guarantee a similar outcome.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Which NYC fast-food workers are protected by the Fair Workweek Law?

NYC’s Fair Workweek protections apply to covered fast-food workers, and the law protects workers regardless of immigration status. Covered employers have obligations involving regular schedules, advance notice, schedule changes, clopenings, available shifts, and certain discharge or reduction-in-hours decisions. Whether a particular restaurant and worker fall within the law depends on the statutory definitions and facts, so workers should consider the employer, location, job, and scheduling practices rather than relying only on the restaurant brand name.

What records can help prove a Fair Workweek scheduling violation?

Workers can preserve written schedules, photographs of posted schedules, scheduling-app screenshots, text messages, emails, time punches, pay stubs, and notices about shift changes. Those materials can help show when a schedule was originally provided, when it changed, whether the worker consented, and whether premium pay appeared on the paycheck. Keeping records can be particularly useful when changes happen verbally or through an app that later overwrites an earlier version of the schedule.

Can NYC fast-food workers be fired or have their hours cut without a reason?

NYC’s Fair Workweek framework includes job-protection rules for covered fast-food workers. Employers generally can’t discharge a worker or reduce the worker’s hours by more than 15% without just cause, subject to rules for legitimate economic reasons and other requirements. The law also calls for written explanations in covered situations. Whether a particular termination or reduction violates the law depends on the circumstances, including the employer’s stated reason and compliance with required procedures.

Can a KFC franchise worker have claims against a franchise operator rather than KFC corporate?

Potentially. Employment claims ordinarily depend on which entity or entities legally employed the worker and controlled the relevant pay or scheduling practices. A restaurant may operate under a national brand while a separate franchise company employs the staff. The KFC article concerns allegations against a franchise operator. Determining the proper employer can require reviewing pay stubs, wage notices, employment records, corporate relationships, and who controlled scheduling, payroll, supervision, and workplace policies.

CONTACT FITAPELLI & SCHAFFER LLP

Thank you! Your email has been delivered.

Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP - Employment Lawyers
28 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10005
(212) 300-0375
(212) 481-1333

FREE CONSULTATION

212.300.0375