‘Cult’-run Yellow Deli gets rave reviews across US as escaped members dish on fear behind closed doors

Behind a chain serving up soups and hot deli sandwiches is a fundamentalist cult accused of exploiting its members – including children – for free labor. 

Since the founding of its Chattanooga, Tennessee, flagship location in 1973, the Yellow Deli has opened at least 33 stores across 11 U.S. states, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, Spain, Brazil and Argentina.

However, none of its workers are paid. Instead, proceeds go toward the communal lifestyles of the members of the Twelve Tribes...