How does Bambu handle market research using the Marketing and Technology Fund?

us year. Because we do not have the Fund audited, audited financial statements are not available to you.

We administer the Marketing and Technology Fund in our sole discretion. The Marketing and Technology Fund may be used for applications that promote Bambū shoppes, such as loyalty programs and other specialized applications that can add business to the shoppes, such as catering and charitable events. The Marketing and Technology Fund proceeds may also be used for researching, preparing, maintaining, administering and directing advertising and promotional materials and public relations programs, including production of commercial print, radio, television, magazine, newspaper, Internet advertising, direct response literature, direct mailings, brochures, collateral materials advertising, surveys of advertising effectiveness, Franchisee Advisory Council expenses, convention expenses, social media marketing, and other advertising or public relations expenditures, for any international, national, or regional media. We may also use the Marketing and Technology Fund to pay for the expenses related to researching, developing, implementing, servicing, and operating any technology used in any manner related to the Bambū franchise system or the Bambū shoppes, including any technologies utilized in or related to our website, search engine optimization, reporting of information for Bambū shoppes, the equipment used in Bambū shoppes, and Bambū shoppe computer systems (collectively, the "Technology"). We do not spend the Marketing and Technology Fund's money on soliciting franchisees.

We may reimburse ourselves from the Marketing and Technology Fund for administrative costs, salaries and overhead expenses related to the administration of the Marketing and Technology Fund and its programs, including conducting market research, preparing material, collecting and accounting for Marketing and Technology Fund contributions, providing any services related to any Technology, and all costs and expenses related to the Franchisee Advisory Council discussed below. In any fiscal year we may spend an amount greater or less than the aggregate contribution of all Bambū shoppes to the Marketing and Technology Fund in that year. The Marketing and Technology Fund may borrow from us or other lenders to cover deficits or cause the Marketing and Technology Fund to invest any surplus for future use. Any amounts remaining in the Marketing and Technology Fund at the end of each year accrue and we apply them toward the next year's expenses. We do not guarantee that advertising expenditures from the Marketing and Technology Fund will benefit you or any other franchisee directly or on a pro rata basis. The Marketing and Technology Fund is not a trust fund, and we do not owe a fiduciary duty to you with respect to the maintenance, direction, or administration of the Fund. We assume no other direct or indirect liability or obligation to you for collecting amounts due to any marketing account or for maintaining, directing or administering any advertising account.

We may use outside advertising agencies and personnel and in-house personnel to create international, national, or regional advertising, including social media ads, ad slicks, radio and television spots and other marketing pieces and programs and we may purchase and place national advertising.

Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 28–38)