In Washington state, can Fat Shack restrict a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of Fat Shack itself?

According to Fat Shack's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Washington state law protects franchisees from franchisors imposing restrictions on soliciting or hiring employees. Specifically, RCW 49.62.060 prohibits Fat Shack from restricting, restraining, or prohibiting a franchisee from soliciting or hiring any employee of another Fat Shack franchisee or any employee of Fat Shack itself.

This means that any clause within the franchise agreement or any other document that attempts to prevent a Fat Shack franchisee in Washington from hiring or soliciting employees from Fat Shack or its other franchisees is legally void and unenforceable. This protection is in place to ensure franchisees have the freedom to build their workforce without undue interference from the franchisor.

This provision is particularly important for prospective Fat Shack franchisees in Washington as it allows them to compete for talent within the Fat Shack system. It prevents Fat Shack from enforcing non-solicitation agreements that could limit a franchisee's ability to recruit experienced employees who may already be working within the Fat Shack network. This can be a significant advantage for franchisees looking to quickly establish a skilled team.