How might RCW 19.100.180 affect the termination and renewal provisions in the Chicken Guy franchise agreement?

According to Chicken Guy's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, RCW 19.100.180(2)(h) directly impacts the franchise agreement. Specifically, any provision within the franchise agreement or related documents that restricts a franchisee from communicating with or complaining to regulators is deemed inconsistent with the express instructions in the Franchise Disclosure Document and is unlawful under Washington law. This means Chicken Guy franchisees in Washington have the right to communicate freely with regulatory bodies without fear of reprisal written into the franchise agreement.

This protection for franchisees extends to the Development Agreement as well. The FDD explicitly states that any similar prohibitions on communication with regulators found in the Development Agreement are also unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(h). This ensures that developers working to establish multiple Chicken Guy locations in Washington are equally protected in their ability to engage with regulatory agencies.

In practical terms, this means that Chicken Guy cannot enforce any clause that penalizes or discourages a franchisee from reporting violations or concerns to government authorities. This promotes transparency and accountability within the franchise system, allowing franchisees to raise issues without risking termination or non-renewal of their agreements. Prospective franchisees in Washington should carefully review the franchise agreement to ensure compliance with this provision and understand their rights to communicate with regulators.