Can Kitchen Solvers restrict a franchisee in Washington from soliciting or hiring employees of the franchisor?
Kitchen_Solvers 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 area development agreement or elsewhere are void and unenforceable in Washington.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 49–190)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Kitchen Solvers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Kitchen Solvers is prohibited from restricting a franchisee in Washington from soliciting or hiring any employee of the franchisor. This also applies to soliciting or hiring any employee of another Kitchen Solvers franchisee.
This protection is explicitly stated in the FDD addendum for Washington state, referencing RCW 49.62.060. This statute makes any conflicting provisions within the Area Development Agreement or other documents void and unenforceable in Washington.
For a prospective Kitchen Solvers franchisee in Washington, this means they have the freedom to solicit and hire employees from Kitchen Solvers itself or from other Kitchen Solvers franchisees without facing legal repercussions from the franchisor. This can be a significant advantage in building a skilled team, as it broadens the potential talent pool.