In Washington, can Brueggers Bagels restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring employees of other franchisees or the franchisor?
Brueggers_Bagels 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 61–335)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Brueggers Bagels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you are a franchisee in Washington, Brueggers Bagels cannot restrict you from soliciting or hiring employees from either other Brueggers Bagels franchisees or from Brueggers Bagels itself. This protection is explicitly stated under Washington state law (RCW 49.62.060).
This means that any clause within the franchise agreement that attempts to prevent you from hiring or soliciting employees from these sources is legally void and unenforceable in Washington. This addendum ensures that the franchise agreement adheres to Washington state law, which aims to promote fair competition and employee mobility.
For a prospective Brueggers Bagels franchisee in Washington, this is a significant benefit. It allows you to recruit experienced staff who may already be familiar with the Brueggers Bagels system, potentially reducing training costs and improving operational efficiency. However, franchisees should be aware of all applicable labor laws and ethical considerations when recruiting employees from other businesses.