Can a Bambu franchisee register any of the marks as part of a domain name on the Internet?
Bambu Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must use the mark "BAMBŪ" as the principal identification of your Bambū shoppe. You must also identify yourself as an independent owner of the shoppe, however, in the manner as we may require. You may not use any of the Marks or words that are confusingly similar to the Mark as part of any corporate or trade name or with any prefix to identify unauthorized services or products or in any other manner not expressly authorized in writing by us. Except as permitted in the FRC Materials, you may not use any of the Marks as part of an electronic mail address or on any sites on the Internet and you may not use or register any of the Marks as part of a domain name on the Internet. You must modify or discontinue your use of the Marks if we require modification or discontinuance, at your own expense.
Source: Item 13 — (FDD pages 40–42)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bambu's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are explicitly prohibited from registering any of Bambu's marks as part of a domain name on the Internet. The FDD states that franchisees cannot use the marks in any way not expressly authorized in writing by Bambu. This restriction extends to using the marks as part of an email address or on any websites.
This restriction is typical in franchising, as franchisors need to protect their brand identity and ensure consistent representation across all franchise locations. Allowing franchisees to register domain names using the brand's trademarks could lead to inconsistencies, brand dilution, and potential legal issues for Bambu.
Furthermore, Bambu retains the right to require franchisees to modify or discontinue their use of the marks at the franchisee's own expense. This underscores the franchisor's control over the brand and the franchisee's obligation to adhere to Bambu's standards and directives. Prospective franchisees should be aware of these limitations and ensure they understand the approved methods for online representation and marketing.