Valvoline Illegal Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Investigation

By Bruno OrtegaDeceptive Trade Practice, Labor Protection

Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating reports that Valvoline LLC, along with Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchising Inc. and VGP Holdings LLC, enforced overly broad non-compete and non-solicitation agreements against hourly employees, severely limiting their employment opportunities after leaving the company.

Valvoline Restrictive Agreements Limit Job Mobility for Low-Wage Workers

According to a multistate settlement announced August 1, 2024, by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of attorneys general from Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania:

  • Valvoline required hourly employees to sign non-compete agreements that barred them from working within 100 miles of any Valvoline location for one year after termination;

  • The company enforced non-solicitation agreements, preventing former employees from contacting or hiring current Valvoline staff or customers for one year;

  • These agreements placed an undue burden on low-wage workers, restricting their career growth, job mobility, and earning potential.

Key Settlement Terms and Worker Protections

  • Valvoline ceased requiring these non-compete and non-solicitation agreements immediately;

  • The company must notify approximately 940 affected current and former employees across all coalition states that these restrictions are no longer in effect, within 15 days of the settlement announcement;

  • If Valvoline violates the settlement terms in any participating state, the respective Attorney General can seek penalties of up to $500,000;

  • This settlement is a major victory against overbroad non-compete enforcement in the auto services industry.

Were You Restricted by Valvoline Non-Compete or Non-Solicitation Agreements?

If you:

  • Worked hourly at Valvoline or its franchises in any of the coalition states

  • Were bound by a non-compete or non-solicitation agreement that limited your job options after leaving

  • Or believe your employment rights were unfairly restricted

— you may be entitled to legal recourse.

Contact Migliaccio & Rathod LLP for a free and confidential consultation. Fill out the form on this page, email [email protected], or call (202) 470-3520.

    The following will ask for your contact information so that we may reach you to talk about potential claims. This information is for our records only and will not be shared. By continuing, you consent to the collection of this information for these limited purposes.

    Are you currently employed with this company?

    Do you have paystubs from this employer?

    Please briefly describe the violation that you believe you experienced.


    Would you like to join our newsletter to receive notifications about other investigations we're looking into, as well as updates on ongoing cases?