In Washington, can Kitchen Solvers restrict a franchisee 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, in the state of Washington, Kitchen Solvers is prohibited from restricting a franchisee 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 due to RCW 49.62.060, a Washington state law that explicitly prevents franchisors from imposing such restrictions. As a result, any provisions within the Kitchen Solvers franchise agreement or other related documents that attempt to enforce such limitations are considered void and unenforceable in Washington.
For a prospective Kitchen Solvers franchisee in Washington, this means they have the freedom to recruit and hire employees from both Kitchen Solvers corporate and other Kitchen Solvers franchise locations without facing legal repercussions from the franchisor. This can be a significant advantage in building a skilled and experienced team, as it allows franchisees to tap into a wider pool of talent within the Kitchen Solvers network.