Is it permissible for Bumble Roofing to restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring employees of other franchisees in Washington?
Bumble_Roofing 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 43–45)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bumble Roofing Franchise Disclosure Document, in the state of Washington, Bumble Roofing cannot restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring employees of other Bumble Roofing franchisees.
Specifically, RCW 49.62.060 prohibits Bumble Roofing 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. The FDD states that any provisions in the franchise agreement that conflict with this law are void and unenforceable in Washington.
This means that a Bumble Roofing franchisee in Washington has the freedom to solicit and hire employees from other Bumble Roofing franchise locations or from Bumble Roofing itself, without facing legal repercussions from the franchisor. This could be beneficial for franchisees looking to expand their workforce with experienced individuals already familiar with the Bumble Roofing system. However, it also creates a competitive environment where franchisees may compete for the same pool of employees.