For Even Hotels franchises in Washington, what is the effect of RCW 49.62.060 on the franchise agreement?

According to Even Hotels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, RCW 49.62.060 affects the franchise agreement in Washington state by prohibiting Even Hotels 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. As a result, any provisions within the franchise agreement that conflict with these stipulations are considered void and unenforceable in Washington. This protection is explicitly outlined in the Washington addendum to the disclosure document.

This means that Even Hotels franchisees in Washington have the freedom to recruit and hire employees from other Even Hotels franchises or from Even Hotels itself without contractual limitations. This could be beneficial for franchisees looking to expand their workforce by tapping into a pool of experienced individuals already familiar with the Even Hotels system.

However, franchisees should be aware that this statute does not prevent employees from independently seeking other employment opportunities. It solely focuses on preventing the franchisor from enforcing restrictions that would limit a franchisee's ability to solicit or hire. This ensures a competitive labor market within the Even Hotels franchise network in Washington, promoting fair employment practices and potentially driving innovation through the movement of talent.