Five Guys and B&Q among businesses which paid their staff less than minimum wage

Five Guys, Chiswick High Road

Hundreds of businesses around the country named and shamed for breaking employment law

Two big businesses with branches in Chiswick are among companies which the Department for Business and Trade has named and shamed for paying their staff less than the minimum wage.

Fast food restaurant Five Guys, which has a branch on Chiswick High Road, and DIY retailer B&Q, which has an outlet beside Chiswick Roundabout, are among hundreds of businesses the government has listed.

More than 600 employers, including shops, restaurants, nurseries, social care providers and a handful of NHS trusts, underpaid their staff during the period from 2013 to 2025. Around £4 million has been repaid to 27,000 workers and the companies have also been fined £7m collectively.

Minimum wage is £12.71 for staff aged 21 and over. For 18 to 20 year olds the rate is £10.85, and for under 18s and apprentices it is £8.

Chiswick B&Q

Error ‘unintentional’, says B&Q, due to ‘technical’ issues, says Five Guys

B&Q underpaid 4,530 workers a total of more than £456,000, according to the government.

The company told the BBC:

“The shortfalls in payments were unintentional. They relate to calculations involving geographical allowances which are paid in addition to minimum hourly rates. All affected colleagues were quickly paid in full in July 2025.”

Five Guys, listed as owing over £54,000 to 3,699 staff, said:

“technical differences in how payroll regulations were applied” were the cause of its underpayments.

“We worked closely and transparently with HMRC throughout the process and have made all required payments to affected current and former employees.” they added.

Boss Pizza in Acton, now permanently closed

Boss Pizza in Acton and KFC in Brentford among West London businesses on the list

Among the west London businesses included in the list are two in LB Ealing, one in Hammersmith & Fulham and one in Hounslow:

• Fatman’s Acton Limited, trading as Boss Pizza Acton, London Borough of Ealing, W3, (now permanently closed) failed to pay £2,041.58 to 5 workers.
• Suntechgadget Limited, trading as Suntechgadget, London Borough of Ealing, W5, failed to pay £14,872.20 to 3 workers.
• Universal Care Services (UK) Limited, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, W6, failed to pay £15,121.39 to 77 workers.
• Hillcrest Catering Co. Limited, trading as KFC Brentford, London Borough of Hounslow, TW8, failed to pay £5,722.46 to 147 workers.

“Short-changing staff isn’t a shortcut to success”

Jonathan Reynolds MP

Naming and shaming companies which short change their workers is part of the government’s strategy to crack down on employers who treat their workers unfairly.

Earlier this year it launched the Fair Work Agency, under the Employment Rights Act 2025, which merged the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and minimum wage enforcement teams as a single national enforcement body for workplace rights.

‘Naming rounds’ have become a regular event.

READ ALSO: Halfords and Pizza Express among companies exposed for not paying minimum wage, May 2025

Publishing the list, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

“The best businesses know that looking after your workers isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do, building the stronger, more successful businesses that drive growth in every postcode.

“Most employers already understand this, and I want to work with them to ensure they have every piece of guidance and support available to help them follow the rules.

“Short-changing your staff isn’t a shortcut to success and we are determined to stamp it out.

“Underpaying your staff is illegal”

Kate Dearden MP

Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden said:

“Underpaying your staff is illegal, and we will not let workers foot the bill for their boss failing to follow the rules. We’re making sure workers get the hard-earned pay they deserve, and where employers fall short, they will be held to account.

“Every employer should check their payroll now and reach out to Acas if they need further support”.

If you suspect they are being underpaid, you can visit gov.uk/checkyourpay to find out more about what you can do.