In Washington state, is Bft allowed to restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of Bft itself?
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 franchisee operates in Washington state, Bft is prohibited from restricting them from soliciting or hiring any employee of Bft. This protection is explicitly stated under Washington state law RCW 49.62.060. Any provisions within the franchise agreement that attempt to impose such restrictions are considered void and unenforceable in Washington.
This means a Bft franchisee in Washington has the freedom to recruit and hire employees directly from Bft without facing legal repercussions or contractual penalties from the franchisor. This can be a significant advantage for franchisees looking to build a skilled team, as they are not limited in their recruitment efforts.
It is important for prospective Bft franchisees in Washington to understand this legal protection, as it can influence their staffing strategies and overall business operations. Franchisees should ensure their franchise agreement does not contain clauses that conflict with RCW 49.62.060, and if such clauses exist, they should be aware that these are unenforceable in Washington.