Can a Bambu franchisee use the Bambu marks as part of a domain name on the Internet?

According to Bambu's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is generally prohibited from using Bambu's trademarks as part of a domain name on the internet. Specifically, the FDD states that franchisees cannot use or register any of Bambu's marks as part of a domain name, except as explicitly permitted in the Franchise Resource Center (FRC) Materials. This restriction is in place to protect Bambu's brand identity and ensure consistent representation across all online platforms.

This restriction extends beyond domain names. Bambu franchisees are also prohibited from using the marks as part of an email address or on any internet sites, further limiting their ability to create an online presence that directly incorporates the Bambu brand. The FDD emphasizes that Bambu retains sole ownership and control over its trademarks, granting franchisees only a limited right to use them in the operation of their Bambu store as outlined in the franchise agreement.

Upon termination of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must take action to remove all references to the former Bambu store or any of the marks from the internet, including social media accounts. They may also be required to cancel or assign any domain names associated with the marks to Bambu, at Bambu's discretion. This ensures that the franchisee's online presence is completely disassociated from the Bambu brand after the franchise relationship ends.

These stipulations are typical in franchising, as franchisors like Bambu need to maintain tight control over their brand and online presence. Prospective franchisees should carefully review the FRC Materials to understand the permitted uses of the Bambu marks online and ensure they comply with these restrictions to avoid potential breaches of the franchise agreement.