In Washington, is a Fat Shack franchisee allowed to solicit or hire employees of other Fat Shack franchisees?
Fat_Shack 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 53–223)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Fat Shack's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you operate a Fat Shack franchise in Washington, you are legally permitted to solicit or hire employees from other Fat Shack franchises. This is due to RCW 49.62.060, a Washington state law that prevents franchisors from restricting franchisees from soliciting or hiring employees of other franchisees within the same system.
This means that any clause in the franchise agreement that attempts to prevent you from hiring or soliciting employees from other Fat Shack locations is void and unenforceable in Washington. This protection is explicitly called out in the FDD, reinforcing the franchisee's right to recruit talent from within the Fat Shack network.
This provision aims to promote fair competition and employee mobility within franchise systems in Washington. A prospective Fat Shack franchisee in Washington can be assured that they are not restricted from recruiting qualified individuals who already have experience within the Fat Shack system, potentially giving them a hiring advantage.