NJDOL Orders Work to Halt at 27 Boston Market Locations Statewide 

More than $2.5M assessed in back wages, damages, fees, and penalties 

TRENTON – On August 14, 2023, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) issued 27 stop-work orders to Boston Market locations across the state after finding multiple violations of workers’ rights, including more than $600,000 in back wages owed to 314 workers. 

The investigation was prompted when the NJDOL’s Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance received a complaint in November 2022 from a Boston Market worker at 770 Route 33 in Hamilton, Mercer County. Since then, nearly three dozen additional complaints have been received naming several New Jersey Boston Market locations. Initial findings included citations for: unpaid/late payment of wages, hindrance of the investigation, failure to pay minimum wage, records violations, failure to pay earned sick leave, and failure to maintain records for earned sick leave. 

“With restaurants across the country, Boston Market needs to set a better example for fair treatment of its workers,” said Joseph Petrecca, Assistant Commissioner of NJDOL’s Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance. “Thanks to the Murphy Administration, NJDOL has the tools to carry out large-scale enforcement efforts within the state so we can work with employers to stop worker exploitation, create sustainable change, and prevent future violations.” 

Initial findings of the investigation were sent to parent company Boston Chicken of NJ, LLC d/b/a Boston Market headquartered in Golden, Colo., to C.E.O. Jignesh Pandya of Newtown, Pa., and to the registered agent of the company at Princeton South Corporate Center in Ewing. 

NJDOL investigators have found $607,471 in back wages owed to 314 workers, as well as $1,214,942 in liquidated damages. Boston Chicken of NJ was also assessed an administrative fee of $182,241.30 and $549,500 in administrative penalties, for a total of $2,554,154.30. 

Stop-work orders are initiated by NJDOL to halt work being performed in a manner that exploits workers, or is otherwise noncompliant with state laws and regulations. An employer may appeal a stop-work order, in which case NJDOL has seven days to schedule a hearing. Boston Market has requested a hearing. 

NJDOL continues to monitor locations where stop-work orders have been issued, and can assess civil penalties of $5,000 per day against an employer conducting business in violation of the order. The stop-work order may be lifted if and when any remaining back wages and penalties have been paid and all related issues have been resolved. 

Below is the complete list of Boston Market locations that were issued a stop-work order: 

491 Ridge Rd, North Arlington, NJ 07031 

314 Essex Street, Lodi, NJ 07644 

180 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07602 

21-20 Broadway, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 

321 Broad Street, Ridgefield, NJ 07657 

20 Wycoff Avenue, Waldwick, NJ 07463 

395 NJ-17, Mahwah, NJ 07430 

175 Kinderkamack Road, Emerson, NJ 07630 

275 Livingston Street, North Vale, NJ 07647 

471 Central Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018 

247 NJ-10 East, Succasunna, NJ 07876 

332 Route 10 West, East Hanover, NJ 07936 

1160 US-46, Clifton, NJ 07013 

1342 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07012 

523 Chestnut Street Union, NJ 07083 

770 Route 33, Hamilton, NJ 08619 

1729 N. Olden Avenue, Ewing Township, NJ 08638 

300 Rt-18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816 

878 US Rt. 1 North Bound, Edison, NJ 08817 

1560 St. Georges Avenue, Avenel, NJ 07001 

4159 US 9, Howell, NJ 07731 

1103 Broad Street, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 

900 Easton Avenue #165, Somerset, NJ 08873 

514 High Street, Mt. Holly, NJ 08060 

5716 Blackhorse Pike, Blackwood, NJ 08012 

891 Hurffville Road, Woodbury, NJ 08096 

301 S. Main Road, Vineland, NJ 08360 

NJDOL has issued 138 stop-work orders since this power was expanded in July 2019. For more information on worker benefits and protections, visit myworkrights.nj.gov.