Delivery drivers sue largest Pizza Hut franchisee

Overland Park-based NPC International Inc., which operates about 1,275 Pizza Hut stores, is facing a class-action lawsuit brought on by delivery drivers.

The Kansas City Business Journal reports the employees claim their hourly compensation fails to meet federal minimum wage regulations.

For tipped employees, including delivery drivers, the minimum wage in Missouri is $3.68. Pizza Hut's drivers are paid $4.25 an hour, plus a flat $1 for each delivery. When considering fuel cost and vehicle maintenance, the hourly pay dips well below the minimum wage, according to the report.

The largest Pizza Hut franchisee, NPC faced a lawsuit in 2012 that brought about a per-mile compensation of 33 cents for delivery drivers, which is still below the IRS standard of 55 cents per mile.

Wichita-based Bushwood Investments Inc. is facing a similar lawsuit in Kansas from Jimmy John's delivery drivers.

Read more from the Kansas City Business Journal.