In Washington, is Dog Haus allowed to restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring employees of other Dog Haus franchisees?
Dog_Haus 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 franchise agreement or elsewhere are void and unenforceable in Washington.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 87–328)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dog Haus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you operate a franchise in Washington state, Dog Haus is prohibited from restricting you from soliciting or hiring any employee of another Dog Haus franchisee. This protection is explicitly stated in the Washington Addendum to the Franchise Agreement due to RCW 49.62.060.
This means that as a Dog Haus franchisee in Washington, you have the freedom to recruit and hire employees from other Dog Haus locations without facing legal repercussions from the franchisor. This can be a significant advantage in a competitive labor market, allowing you to attract experienced staff familiar with the Dog Haus system.
It is important to note that this protection is specific to Washington state law. Franchise agreements often contain non-solicitation clauses that could be enforceable in other states. Therefore, this addendum provides a notable benefit to Dog Haus franchisees operating in Washington, ensuring their ability to build their teams without undue restrictions from the franchisor.