In Washington, is Angry Chickz allowed to restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring employees of another Angry Chickz franchisee?
Angry_Chickz Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 15. 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 franchise agreement or elsewhere are void and unenforceable in Washington.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 54–260)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Angry Chickz Franchise Disclosure Document, Washington state law RCW 49.62.060 prohibits Angry Chickz as the franchisor from restricting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of another Angry Chickz franchisee. This also applies to soliciting or hiring any employee of Angry Chickz itself. Therefore, any provisions within the franchise agreement that conflict with this law are considered void and unenforceable in Washington. This protection is explicitly outlined in the addendum for the state of Washington.
This means that an Angry Chickz franchisee in Washington has the freedom to solicit and hire employees from other Angry Chickz locations or from the franchisor without facing legal repercussions from the franchise agreement. This can be a significant advantage for franchisees looking to build their team with experienced personnel already familiar with the Angry Chickz system.
However, franchisees should still exercise caution and consider the potential impact on their relationship with other franchisees and the franchisor when actively recruiting their employees. While the law protects their right to solicit and hire, maintaining positive relationships within the Angry Chickz franchise network is crucial for long-term success. Franchisees should also be aware of any potential ethical considerations or internal policies that, while not legally binding, could affect their standing within the franchise system.