In Washington, what is Crave Cookies prohibited from doing regarding employees of its franchisees?

According to Crave Cookies' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, in the state of Washington, Crave Cookies is prohibited from restricting, restraining, or prohibiting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of a franchisee of the same franchisor, or soliciting or hiring any employee of the franchisor. This means that Crave Cookies cannot enforce any provisions in the franchise agreement or other documents that would prevent a franchisee from hiring employees from other Crave Cookies locations or from Crave Cookies itself.

This protection is provided under RCW 49.62.060, which supersedes any conflicting terms in the franchise agreement. This addendum ensures that Crave Cookies franchisees in Washington have the freedom to recruit and hire employees from within the Crave Cookies network, as well as from the franchisor's corporate staff, without facing legal repercussions or contractual limitations.

For a prospective franchisee in Washington, this is a significant benefit. It allows them to tap into a pool of experienced individuals who are already familiar with the Crave Cookies system, potentially reducing training costs and improving operational efficiency. However, franchisees should be aware of other employment laws and regulations in Washington State to ensure full compliance.