How might RCW 19.100.180 affect the Angry Chickz Development Agreement in Washington?
Angry_Chickz Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- **3.
Franchisee Bill of Rights.** RCW 19.100.180 may supersede provisions in the Development Agreement or related agreements concerning your relationship with the franchisor, including in the areas of termination and renewal of your franchise.
There may also be court decisions that supersede the Development Agreement or related agreements concerning your relationship with the franchisor.
Development agreement provisions, including those summarized in Item 17 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, are subject to state law.
- 18. Prohibitions on Communicating with Regulators. Any provision in the Development Agreement or related agreements that prohibits the franchisee from communicating with or complaining to regulators is inconsistent with the express instructions in the Franchise Disclosure Document and is unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(h).
- 16. Nonsolicitation Agreements. 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 Development Agreement or elsewhere are void and unenforceable in Washington.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 54–260)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Angry Chickz's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, RCW 19.100.180, also known as the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act, plays a significant role in governing the relationship between Angry Chickz and its franchisees in Washington state. Specifically, RCW 19.100.180 may supersede certain provisions within the Development Agreement or related agreements. This means that if any terms in the franchise agreement conflict with the rights and protections provided under Washington law, the state law will take precedence.
This could impact various aspects of the Development Agreement, particularly concerning the termination and renewal of the franchise. For example, if the Development Agreement contains clauses that unduly restrict a franchisee's rights regarding termination or renewal, those clauses might be rendered unenforceable under RCW 19.100.180. Franchisees in Washington should be aware that their relationship with Angry Chickz is not solely governed by the Development Agreement but is also subject to the protections afforded by Washington state law.
Moreover, the FDD stipulates that any provision in the Development Agreement or related agreements that prohibits a franchisee from communicating with or complaining to regulators is unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(h). This ensures that franchisees can freely report concerns or violations to the appropriate authorities without fear of reprisal from Angry Chickz. This protection is explicitly highlighted in the addendum to reinforce the franchisee's right to communicate with regulators, regardless of any conflicting terms in the franchise agreement.
In addition, Washington state law addresses nonsolicitation agreements, prohibiting Angry Chickz from restricting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of another Angry Chickz franchisee or any employee of Angry Chickz itself. Any provisions in the Development Agreement that conflict with this are considered void and unenforceable in Washington. This ensures franchisees have the freedom to hire qualified individuals without undue restrictions imposed by the franchisor.