Is a Fat Shack franchisee in Washington prohibited from communicating with regulators?
Fat_Shack Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Prohibitions on Communicating with Regulators.
Any provision in the franchise agreement or related agreements that prohibits the franchisee from communicating with or complaining to regulators is inconsistent with the express instructions in the Franchise Disclosure Document and is unlawful under RCW 19.100.180(2)(h).
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–223)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Fat Shack FDD, any provision within the franchise agreement or related documents that prevents a franchisee in Washington from communicating with or complaining to regulators is unlawful.
Specifically, the FDD states that such prohibitions are inconsistent with the instructions provided in the Franchise Disclosure Document and violate Washington state law RCW 19.100.180(2)(h). This means Fat Shack cannot enforce any clause that restricts a franchisee's ability to contact regulatory bodies.
This protection ensures that Fat Shack franchisees in Washington can freely report concerns or issues to the appropriate authorities without fear of reprisal from the franchisor. This promotes transparency and accountability within the franchise system, aligning with standard franchise regulations that prioritize franchisee rights and compliance with the law.