Does 1 800 Packouts prohibit franchisees from soliciting employees of the franchisor or other franchisees?

According to the 2025 1 800 Packouts Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement generally restricts franchisees from soliciting employees of the franchisor or other franchisees. However, this restriction is void and unenforceable in Washington state.

Specifically, outside of Washington, during the term of the franchise agreement, franchisees are prohibited from directly or indirectly soliciting for employment any person who, at any time within the immediate past 12 months, has been employed by 1 800 Packouts, its affiliates, or any of its franchisees. This means a franchisee cannot actively try to recruit current or recent employees of the franchisor or other franchisees for a period of one year after their employment ends.

For prospective franchisees in Washington state, the FDD stipulates that RCW 49.62.060 prohibits a franchisor from restricting, restraining, or prohibiting a franchisee from (i) soliciting or hiring any employee of a franchisee of the same franchisor or (ii) soliciting or hiring any employee of the franchisor. As a result, any such provisions contained in the franchise agreement or elsewhere are void and unenforceable in Washington. Therefore, franchisees operating in Washington are not bound by the general restriction on soliciting or hiring employees of 1 800 Packouts or its other franchisees.