Chipotle Mexican Grill has agreed to pay the state of New Jersey $7.7 million for violations of child labor laws.  Chipotle hired under-age workers as confirmed in a 2020 audit by the State of New Jersey.  There were approximately 30,000 violations relating to minors working past the 40-hour working week in addition to other less serious infractions.  Under New Jersey law juveniles 14 to 15 years of age can work up to 40 hours per week when school is out of session with a 30-minute meal break after 5 hours of work.  Sixteen and seventeen year-olds can work up to 40 hours per week with 30-minute meal break year-round.

In 2020, Chipotle settled with the state of Massachusetts for similar violations paying $1.3 million.  Previously Chipotle paid a $20 million penalty to New York City over workplace violations including scheduling changes involving 13,000 workers. 

In accordance with the New Jersey settlement, Chipotle has agreed to retrain managers, appoint a child-labor compliance officer and to intensify internal auditing.