In Washington state, is Bojangles prohibited from restricting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of another Bojangles franchisee?

According to Bojangles's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, specifically an addendum to the franchise agreement for Washington State, Bojangles is prohibited from restricting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of another Bojangles franchisee. This protection is due to RCW 49.62.060, a Washington state law. Any provisions in the franchise agreement that conflict with this are considered void and unenforceable in Washington. This also applies to restricting the franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of Bojangles itself.

For a prospective franchisee in Washington, this means that Bojangles cannot prevent them from actively recruiting or hiring employees who currently work for other Bojangles franchisees or for the franchisor. This can be a significant advantage in securing experienced staff familiar with the Bojangles system.

However, it is important for the franchisee to understand the implications of this law fully. While Bojangles cannot enforce a restriction, it does not prevent other franchisees' employees from choosing to stay with their current employer. Additionally, franchisees should be aware of any ethical considerations or potential damage to relationships with other franchisees that could arise from actively soliciting their employees.