In Washington state, is Bft allowed to restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring an employee of another Bft franchisee?
Bft 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 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 57–66)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bft's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a Bft franchisee operates in Washington state, Bft cannot restrict them from soliciting or hiring employees from another Bft franchise. This is due to RCW 49.62.060, a Washington state law that explicitly prohibits such restrictions by a franchisor.
This means that any provisions within the Bft franchise agreement or any other related documents that attempt to prevent a franchisee from hiring or soliciting employees from other Bft locations are considered void and unenforceable in Washington. This protection is in place to promote fair labor practices and employee mobility within the Bft franchise system in Washington.
For a prospective Bft franchisee in Washington, this is a significant benefit. It allows them to freely recruit talent from within the Bft network, potentially gaining experienced employees who are already familiar with the Bft business model. However, it also means that the franchisee's own employees could be targeted by other franchisees, creating a competitive labor market within the Bft system in Washington. Franchisees should be aware of this dynamic and focus on employee retention strategies to maintain a stable workforce.