What restrictions are placed on Churchs Chicken franchisors in Washington regarding soliciting or hiring employees of franchisees or the franchisor?

According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Washington state law RCW 49.62.060 prohibits Churchs Chicken from restricting a franchisee's ability to solicit or hire employees from either another Churchs Chicken franchisee or from Churchs Chicken itself. This means that Churchs Chicken cannot enforce any provisions in its franchise agreement that would prevent a franchisee in Washington from hiring employees from these sources.

This protection for franchisees in Washington is explicitly stated in the state-specific addendum to the franchise agreement. The FDD clearly states that any conflicting terms within the Development Agreement or elsewhere are considered void and unenforceable within Washington state. This ensures that franchisees operating in Washington have the freedom to recruit and hire employees from within the Churchs Chicken system without facing legal repercussions from the franchisor.

This type of restriction is not uncommon in franchise agreements, as franchisors often seek to protect their existing workforce and prevent poaching between franchisees. However, the Washington statute overrides such restrictions, promoting employee mobility and competition within the Churchs Chicken franchise network in that state. Prospective franchisees in Washington should be aware of this legal protection, as it could impact their staffing strategies and ability to attract qualified employees.