In Washington, is Even Hotels allowed to restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring employees of another franchisee of the same franchisor?
Even_Hotels Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
RCW 49.62.060 prohibits Holiday 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 99–438)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Even Hotels' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, in the state of Washington, Even Hotels is prohibited from restricting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring employees of another Even Hotels franchisee. This protection is explicitly stated in the Washington Addendum to the disclosure document.
Specifically, RCW 49.62.060 prohibits Even Hotels from restricting, restraining, or prohibiting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of a franchisee of the same franchisor. This means that any provisions in the franchise agreement or other documents that attempt to prevent an Even Hotels franchisee in Washington from hiring or soliciting employees from other Even Hotels locations are considered void and unenforceable.
This provision provides Even Hotels franchisees in Washington with greater flexibility in staffing their locations and potentially accessing a wider pool of qualified candidates. It also protects employees of Even Hotels franchisees, allowing them to pursue better opportunities without fear of contractual restrictions.