In Washington, what happens to provisions in the Apricot Lane franchise agreement that conflict with restrictions on soliciting or hiring employees?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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 51–222)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Washington state law RCW 49.62.060 prohibits Apricot Lane from restricting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of another Apricot Lane franchisee or any employee of Apricot Lane itself.
As a result of this law, any provisions within the Apricot Lane franchise agreement, or any other document, that conflict with these restrictions on soliciting or hiring employees are considered void and unenforceable in the state of Washington. This means that Apricot Lane franchisees in Washington are not bound by any part of the franchise agreement that would prevent them from hiring or soliciting employees from other Apricot Lane locations or from Apricot Lane corporate.
This addendum ensures that Apricot Lane's franchise agreement complies with Washington state law, specifically protecting the rights of franchisees to recruit and hire employees without undue restrictions from the franchisor. Prospective franchisees in Washington should be aware of this protection, as it could impact their ability to staff their Apricot Lane store.