In Washington state, what is Dq Treat prohibited from doing regarding employees of its franchisees or its own employees?

According to the 2025 Dq Treat FDD, Washington state law RCW 49.62.060 prohibits Dq Treat from restricting, restraining, or prohibiting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of another Dq Treat franchisee or soliciting or hiring any employee of Dq Treat itself. This means that any provisions in the franchise agreement or other documents that attempt to prevent franchisees from hiring each other's employees or Dq Treat's employees are void and unenforceable in Washington.

For a prospective franchisee in Washington, this addendum to the franchise agreement provides significant protection regarding their ability to recruit and hire employees. It prevents Dq Treat from enforcing any non-poaching clauses that would limit a franchisee's access to experienced workers already familiar with the Dq Treat system. This can be a valuable advantage in a competitive labor market, as it allows franchisees to attract talent from other Dq Treat locations or from Dq Treat's corporate operations.

This type of provision is not universally included in franchise agreements across all brands and states. Some franchise systems may have enforceable non-poaching agreements that restrict franchisees from hiring employees from other units within the same system. Therefore, it is important for prospective franchisees to carefully review the franchise agreement and any state-specific addenda to understand the rules regarding employee recruitment and hiring. The Washington addendum provides a more franchisee-friendly environment in this regard, promoting greater labor mobility within the Dq Treat system.