What guidelines must a Bambu franchisee follow regarding promotional programs?
Bambu Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
or associated with the Marks and Bambū system including, without limitation, databases of customer email addresses and other customer information. Franchisee shall set up all social media accounts Bambu recommends, including utilizing a standardized third-party social media management technology. Bambu requires Franchisee to participate in certain designated Electronic Advertising programs and Franchisee agrees to do so in strict compliance with Bambu's policies and rules regarding the creation, maintenance, use and content of such Electronic Advertising as set forth in this Agreement, the FRC Materials or an Electronic Advertising code of conduct that Bambu may develop, disseminate and modify from time to time.
- 13.7 Loyalty Rewards and Other Promotional Programs. Except as prohibited or limited by law, Franchisee shall fully participate in all promotional campaigns, prize contests, customer loyalty rewards programs, special offers, discount programs, social media programs, and other programs, whether international, national, regional, or local in nature (including the introduction of new products or services or other marketing programs directed or approved by Bambu), which are prescribed from time to time by Bambu. Franchisee shall participate in Bambu's customer loyalty rewards program and be responsible for the costs of such participation. In addition, Franchisee shall honor any coupons, customer loyalty rewards program points or credits, discounts, or other authorized promotional offers of Bambu at Franchisee's sole cost unless otherwise specified in writing by Bambu. Franchisee acknowledges that Bambu frequently implements such promotions intended to increase customer awareness and build business on an international, national, regional, or local level, and Franchisee's participation in these promotions is essential to their success. Franchisee acknowledges that Bambu has no obligation to reimburse Franchisee for the costs associated with participating in these promotions. From time to time a promotion may not benefit all franchisees in the Bambū system; and if the promotion is not offered in the region, or another unknown hardship arises, Bambu may, at Bambu's option, exempt Franchisee and/or other franchisees on a case-by-case basis. Franchisee must follow the guidelines provided by the designated provider of any of these programs and the guidelines set forth in the FRC Materials with respect to Franchisee's obligations and responsibilities under the program (which may include a requirement to purchase related equipment and software), the methods of operation for the program, the transaction information Franchisee is required to provide to Bambu and the retention of complete and accurate books and records regarding transactions made pursuant to a program.
14. QUALITY CONTROL
- 14.1 Compliance with FRC Materials. Franchisee shall maintain and operate the Bambū shoppe in compliance with this Agreement and the mandatory standards and specifications contained in the OOM and other FRC Materials, as the same may be modified from time to time by Bambu.
- 14.2 Standards and Specifications. Bambu will make available to Franchisee standards and specifications for the menu items, products and services offered at or through the Bambū shoppe and for the Franchised Location, equipment, menus, including ingredients and nutritional information, finishes, counter, POS System, loyalty rewards program equipment, logoed paper products, uniforms, insurance,
advertising materials, equipment, certain supplies and other items used in connection with the shoppe. Bambu reserves the right to change standards and specifications for products and services offered at or through the Bambū shoppe and for the Franchised Location, equipment, menus, food, paper products, employee attire, supplies, advertising material and other items used in connection with the shoppe, upon 10 days prior written notice to Franchisee. Franchisee shall, throughout the term of this Agreement, remain in compliance and strictly adhere to all of Bambu's current quality, compliance and operations standards and specifications for the Bambū shoppe as prescribed from time to time.
- 14.3 Inspections. Bambu shall have the right to visit, inspect and conduct operational facility reviews of the Franchised Location, including the inventory, products, equipment, materials, supplies or programs used or sold there, to ensure compliance with all standards and specifications set by Bambu. Bambu shall conduct such inspections and reviews during regular business hours and Franchisee may be present at such inspections. Bambu, however, reserves the right to conduct the inspections without prior notice to Franchisee.
- 14.4 Restrictions on Products and Programs. Franchisee is prohibited from offering or selling any products or programs not authorized by Bambu as being a part of the Bambū system. If Franchisee proposes to offer, conduct or utilize any products, materials, items, supplies or programs for use in connection with or sale through the Bambū shoppe which are not previously approved by Bambu as meeting its specifications, Franchisee shall first notify Bambu in writing requesting approval. Bambu may, in its sole discretion, for any reason whatsoever, elect to withhold such approval; however, in order to make such determination, Bambu may require submission of specifications, information, or samples of such products, programs, materials, forms, items or supplies. Franchisee shall pay the reasonable costs of investigation in determining whether such products, materials, items or supplies meet its specifications. Bambu will advise Franchisee within a reasonable time whether such products, programs, materials, forms, items or supplies meet its specifications.
- 14.5 Approved or Designated Suppliers.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 52–209)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bambu's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to several guidelines regarding promotional programs. Bambu retains exclusive control over all electronic advertising content for Bambu Shoppes. Franchisees are required to set up social media accounts recommended by Bambu, utilizing standardized third-party social media management technology. Furthermore, franchisees must participate in designated electronic advertising programs, complying strictly with Bambu's policies and rules outlined in the Franchise Agreement, FRC Materials, or any Electronic Advertising code of conduct.
Bambu franchisees are expected to fully participate in all promotional campaigns, prize contests, customer loyalty rewards programs, special offers, discount programs, and social media programs prescribed by Bambu, whether international, national, regional, or local. Franchisees are responsible for the costs associated with participating in Bambu's customer loyalty rewards program and must honor all authorized promotional offers at their own expense, unless otherwise specified in writing by Bambu. Bambu may, at its option, exempt franchisees from certain promotions on a case-by-case basis if the promotion is not offered in their region or if another hardship arises.
Franchisees are required to conduct an initial marketing and promotional program for their Bambu Shoppe around the time of opening, using marketing and public relations programs and advertising materials developed or approved by Bambu. A minimum of $5,000 must be budgeted and spent on an initial opening marketing, public relations, and social media influencer program within the first 120 days after opening. Franchisees must obtain Bambu's prior written approval for all advertising or other marketing or promotional programs or materials, including online directory or search engine marketing, newspaper ads, flyers, brochures, magazines, coupons, direct mail pieces, specialty and novelty items, and radio, television, social media materials and videos, and in-shoppe marketing.
Bambu also has the right to determine the composition of geographic territories and market areas for regional advertising and promotional campaigns and may require franchisees to participate in such programs. If a regional advertising program is implemented, Bambu will use contributions from franchisees within that region for the specific program. Bambu reserves the right to seek reimbursement from the cooperative for administrative costs related to the implementation and administration of marketing programs. Franchisees must also abide by Bambu's advertising policies related to advertising prices.