Hundreds of KFC workers in the Illawarra region have allegedly been short-changed by the international fast food giant, with a $28.8 million settlement reached in a class action. Shine Lawyers alleges that KFC and its franchisees failed to provide legally required rest breaks to approximately 90,000 current and former workers across Australia between 2017 and 2023.
Eight Illawarra outlets are among those eligible for compensation, including Albion Park, Dapto, Fairy Meadow, Shellharbour (Stockland food court), Shellharbour (outside Shellharbour Square), Unanderra, Warrawong, and Wollongong, along with others on the South Coast. Workers are now being urged to register for compensation through the class action.
Former KFC worker Lily O'Sullivan, who worked at an Illawarra store part-time while studying at age 19, said she was told by a manager that the 10-minute rest breaks she was entitled to were not provided. She described the work environment as loud and hot, with machines constantly running and the responsibility of cooking chicken properly.
Craig Allsopp, head of class actions at Shine Lawyers, emphasized that timing is critical, with registrations closing in June. He stated, 'This is about making sure workers are paid what they're owed. Workers missed out on rest breaks, they shouldn't also miss out on compensation they're entitled to.'
Allsopp noted that compliance risks can be higher in sectors employing large numbers of young and casual workers. He added, 'Class actions like this are so important to ensure big businesses are held to account. This is how system-wide change begins.'
If the Federal Court approves the settlement, registered participants will have their claims assessed under a compensation scheme. Anyone who worked at KFC between October 2017 and December 2023 can register for free by 4pm June 26, 2026 at kfcsettlement.com.au.
