In Washington state, is Churchs Chicken allowed to restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring employees of other franchisees or the franchisor?
Churchs_Chicken 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 Development Agreement or elsewhere are void and unenforceable in Washington.
Source: Item 17 — RENEWAL, TERMINATION, TRANSFER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION (FDD pages 50–55)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Churchs Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document, Washington state law prohibits Churchs Chicken from restricting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring employees of other Churchs Chicken franchisees or employees of Churchs Chicken itself. Specifically, RCW 49.62.060 states that any provisions in the Development Agreement or elsewhere that conflict with this are void and unenforceable in Washington. This protection for franchisees is outlined in the Washington Disclosure addendum to the Franchise Disclosure Document.