10 LARGEST CORPORATIONS THAT PAY THE WORKERS THE LEAST

Seven of the 10 largest employers NELP studied are national restaurant chains, such as McDonald's, Burger King, and Starbucks. The others are national retailers, such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Sears.

Many of the companies have a history of poor labor relations. Long hours, unsafe or unpleasant working conditions and limited full-time positions and benefits, have been documented at some locations of many of these companies.

During the recession, layoffs and benefits cuts were widespread. More than three years after the recession ended, pay hikes or improved benefits have not materialized at most of the 12 companies. Yet, nine of the 12 companies have been profitable the past three years. Ten posted year-over-year revenue gains in 2011.

Of the 12 largest employers in industries that hire mostly low-wage workers NELP's report included the latest data on work force size, recent financial performance and the highest executive compensation, usually the CEO.

24/7 Wall St. also reviewed revenue, income, and the number of stores at these companies from public filings with securities regulators. Here are summaries of the 12 companies:

1. Wal-Mart
• U.S. workforce: 1.4 million
• CEO compensation: $18.1 million
• Revenue: $447 billion
• Net income: $15.7 billion                        
• No. of U.S. stores: 3,868

The labor practices of Wal-Mart (WMT) have long received negative media attention, but not penalized investors. Wal-Mart's share price rose more than 48% the past five years. 

In 2008, Wal-Mart agreed to pay $640 million to settle dozens of class-action lawsuits that claimed the company didn't pay workers for hours worked. In October, a class-action lawsuit was filed in a Chicago federal court, alleging the retailer violates minimum wage and overtime laws. Wal-Mart workers have begun to strike, and some walked off the job on Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. Wal-Mart filed an unfair-labor-practice complaint against the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union in protest.

2. Yum! Brands
• U.S. workforce: 880,330
• CEO compensation: $20.4 million
• Revenue: $12.6 billion
• Net income: $1.3 billion
• No. of U.S. stores: 16,006

Yum! Brands (YUM), operator of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and KFC chains, takes benefits seriously. The watchdog group Center for Media and Democracy, says the fast food giant co-chaired the labor and business regulation subcommittee of the American Legislative Exchange Council, which finances lobbying for laws to benefit its corporate members. At a 2011 meeting, attendees considered model bills designed to override paid sick leave legislation in a number of states. In 2012, McDonald's, Wendy's left the group as did Yum! Brands.

3. McDonald's
• U.S. workforce: 859,978
• CEO compensation: $4.1 million
• Revenue: $27 billion
• Net income: $5.5 billion
• No. of U.S. stores: 14,098

McDonald's (MCD) is the king of fast-food, with revenue greater than any other restaurant operator on this list, and far more locations as well. The company's website offers a long list of awards and recognition for the diversity of its workplace. But McDonald's is not immune to economic pressures. The company reported its first monthly drop in global revenue at locations open more than a year, down 1.8% in October. McDonald's USA president, Jan Fields was replaced by Jeff Stratton, who had been global chief restaurant officer, but workers say they don't expect pay or conditions to improve.

4. Target
• U.S. workforce: 365,000
• CEO compensation: $19.7 million
• Revenue: $69.9 billion
• Net income: $2.9 billion
• No. of U.S. stores: 1,763

Shortly after competitor Wal-Mart announced it would open its doors for Black Friday shoppers at 8 p.m., Thursday, Target (TGT) followed suit. Employees were not thrilled. One Calif.-based Target worker drafted a petition calling on Target to "save Thanksgiving," and stick to its Friday opening time. More than 220,000 people signed the petition. Target says it considered the impact on employees before deciding to open early. One executive said, "We had so many team members who wanted to work on Thursday that hundreds of our stores (kept) lists of volunteers who want to work if shifts open up."

5. Sears
• U.S. workforce: 264,000
• CEO compensation: $9.9 million
• Revenue: $41.6 billion
• Net income: -$3.1 billion
• No. of U.S. stores: 3,510

The Sears (SHLD) website says: "Our associates are at the heart of our company and we value teamwork, integrity, and positive energy." But the operator of Sears and Kmart has struggled to turn a profit in recent years. Their stores were also open on Thanksgiving for the first time this year. Sears said it expects holiday hiring to be about the same as a year ago, while Wal-Mart, ToysRUs and other retailers increased seasonal hires.

6. Burger King
• U.S. workforce: 191,815
• CEO compensation: $4 million
• Revenue: $2.3 billion
• Net income: $107 million
• No. of U.S. stores: 7,453

In August, Burger King (BKW), Subway and McDonald's executives went to Washington to complain to lawmakers about the Affordable Care Act, requiring companies to increase what they offer and pay for in health care insurance. Steen Wiborg, president of Burger King in North America, told The Wall Street Journal that "many of our franchisees will struggle with how to reconcile the financial implications … and will likely take other measures to reduce costs." Burger King currently offers a limited benefit plan, which it describes as "the red-carpet treatment," although workers say it is inadequate.

7. Starbucks
• U.S. workforce: 176,533
• CEO compensation: $16.1 million
• Revenue: $13.3 billion
• Net income: $1.4 billion
• No. of U.S. stores: 12,903

Unlike other companies on the list, some of Starbucks (SBUX) workers are represented by a union. The Starbucks Workers Union has argued that the company reports record profits while cutting benefits and keeping salaries unchanged.

8. DineEquity
• U.S. workforce: 173,350
• CEO compensation: $5.4 million
• Revenue: $1.1 billion
• Net income: $75.2 million
• No. of U.S. stores: 12,903

DineEquity (DIN), the parent company of Applebee's and IHOP, has more employees and more stores than Darden, a company similar to others in this list. Yet, DineEquity's revenue is less than Darden's, as its executive compensation. Zane Tankel, who owns 40 Applebee's franchises in the New York metropolitan area, recently raised the ire of Applebee's employees and customers when he said he would freeze hiring and consider cutting employee hours due to costs of implementing the Affordable Care Act. DineEquity has declined comment.

9. Macy's
• U.S. workforce: 171,000
• CEO compensation: $17.7 million
• Revenue: $26.4 billion
• Net income: $1.3 billion
• No. of U.S. stores: 842

Like Starbucks, some of Macy's(M)workers are members of a union, which has successfully negotiated labor-related concessions. Next spring, senior members of the retail unions at New York City's Bloomingdale's and Macy's will have some say over setting schedules and vacations. The union says "these gains … are in contrast to the scheduling uncertainties rampant in an increasingly 'just-in-time' work force." But only 4% of Macy's and Bloomingdale's' workforce are union members.

10. Wendy's
• U.S. workforce: 168,672
• CEO compensation: $16.5 million
• Revenue: $2.1 billion
• Net income: $13 million
• No. of U.S. stores: 6,594

Wendy's (WEN) efforts to remake itself appear to be paying off. Same-store sales have risen six straight quarters, and the company has moved toward the fast-casual arena occupied by Panera Bread (PNRA) and Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), among others. Though share prices have been stuck between $4 and $5 a piece for almost four years, the company recently upped the quarterly dividend to 4 cents per share, up 2 cents. Whether Wendy's employees will benefit is unknown, but for now the CEO compensation is greater than at McDonald's or Starbucks.