Can Bumble Roofing restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring employees of the franchisor in Washington?

According to Bumble Roofing's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you operate a franchise in Washington, Bumble Roofing cannot restrict you from soliciting or hiring their employees. 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 as a Bumble Roofing franchisee in Washington, you have the freedom to recruit and hire employees from both other Bumble Roofing franchises and from Bumble Roofing itself, without legal repercussions from the franchisor. This could be a significant advantage in building your team, as you are not limited by non-solicitation clauses that are common in many franchise agreements.

However, it is important to note that while Bumble Roofing cannot legally enforce restrictions on hiring, this does not prevent them from attempting to influence franchisee behavior through other means. It would be prudent to discuss with existing franchisees their experiences and the practical implications of this clause. Additionally, franchisees should be aware of and adhere to all other applicable labor laws and ethical considerations when recruiting employees.