Wendy's corporate responds after Lehigh Acres location gets too hot to bear

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — Customers at a Lehigh Acres Wendy's say the heat inside the restaurant is making it nearly impossible to enjoy a meal.

WINK Investigates visited the Wendy's off Lee Boulevard on Wednesday after customers raised concerns about the lack of air conditioning inside.

When the team walked in, they felt the hot and stuffy conditions firsthand. Employees also told WINK the heat makes it extremely difficult to work.

When a WINK Investigates reporter arrived, staff said a manager was not there and asked the team to leave.

Oscar Diaz visited the restaurant the previous Friday and said the conditions were unbearable.

"You walk in, it's a sauna. As soon as you walk in you can feel the heat. It was actually cooler outside that day, even though it was hot outside, than it was inside. I can only imagine how it is for the employees," Diaz said.

Diaz said he is worried about the health and wellbeing of the employees.

WINK Investigates called and left messages for the local franchise owner but has not heard back.

Wendy's corporate did respond with a statement. "Wendy's expects all restaurants to provide a safe and comfortable environment for employees and customers. The franchisee who owns and operates this restaurant is aware of the issue and is working expediently to resolve it," the statement said.

Neither state nor federal law requires businesses to provide air conditioning for employees or customers.

Florida law also prohibits local governments from putting heat exposure or cooling requirements in place for workers.