Las Vegas pizza chain fined, accused of illegally employing children

A franchisee of several Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza locations was fined nearly $300,000 after federal investigators determined the business violated regulations by the way it employed children over multiple years, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

A Monday news release from the Labor Department said Henderson-based Bryz Guyz Inc. was fined more than $270,000 after violating child labor regulations at 10 pizza joints in Las Vegas and Henderson.

The business violated multiple child labor regulations at its locations, according to the Labor Department.

Children working too many hours, dangerous tasks

Bryz Guyz Inc. permitted 23 children to operate industrial pizza dough mixers, which is considered by the Labor Department to be a dangerous task, the news release said.

The franchisee also allowed five 15-year-olds to work at times not permitted under the child labor provisions in the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Labor Department said.

“These 15-year-olds worked more than three hours on school days, when they worked as late as 10:30 p.m.,” the release said. “Federal law forbid employers from employing 14- and 15-year-olds more than three hours on school days and prohibits their employment after 7 p.m. from the day after Labor Day through May 31.”

Labor Department spokesman Jose Carnevali said the investigation into Bryz Guyz Inc. began in June 2020 and ended in June 2023.

‘Cooperated fully’

In an email to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, California-based Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza wrote that “Our franchisee cooperated fully with the investigation and have adhered to all state and federal labor laws since May 2023.”

Investors in the company, which has more than 300 locations in the U.S., include NBA superstar LeBron James.

The law firm Ballard Rawson Jorgensen sent a similar statement on behalf of the Bryz Guys Inc. to the newspaper about the Labor Department’s findings.

It said that since May 2023, Bryz Guyz Inc. has adhered to labor laws and has “cooperated fully” with the Labor Department’s investigation.

Protecting young workers

Gene Ramos, the department’s Wage and Hour Division district director, underscored the importance of keeping children safe as they enter the workforce.

“The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of all employees, particularly the youngest and most vulnerable,” Ramos said in the news release.

He noted that the department “continues to provide outreach and training to employers nationwide on compliance with federal wage and child labor laws.”

“Learning new skills in the workforce is an important part of growing up but we must protect children and ensure their first jobs are safe and do not interfere with their education or well-being,” he said. “The Fair Labor Standards Act allows these important work experiences but ensures that when children work, they are employed in a manner that promotes their health, safety and educational opportunities.”

At two Blaze locations run by Bryz Guyz Inc., two managers declined to comment Monday.

But business was brisk at both locations — one in Henderson and one in Las Vegas. Blaze employees at the Henderson location fired up pies during the lunch rush. An employee poured a vibrant red sauce onto dough while another worker took two pizzas out of a fiery oven.

Across the Las Vegas Valley, a Blaze restaurant on Sahara Avenue drew hungry customers who waited in a line that curved around the store. A couple sharing a pizza at a table spoke excitedly as they discussed upcoming plans.

Contact Peter Breen at pbreen@reviewjournal.com. Contact Annie Vong at avong@reviewjournal.com.