In Hawaii, does the filing of the Bambu franchise constitute approval or endorsement by the Commissioner of Securities?
Bambu Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ADDENDUM TO THE BAMBU FRANCHISING LLC DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII
THESE FRANCHISES WILL BE/HAVE BEEN FILED UNDER THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW OF THE STATE OF HAWAII. FILING DOES NOT CONSTITUTE APPROVAL, RECOMMENDATION OR ENDORSEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES OR A FINDING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN IS TRUE, COMPLETE AND NOT MISLEADING.
THE FRANCHISE INVESTMENT LAW MAKES IT UNLAWFUL TO OFFER OR SELL ANY FRANCHISE IN THIS STATE WITHOUT FIRST PROVIDING TO THE PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEE, OR SUBFRANCHISOR, AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXECUTION BY THE PROSPECTIVE FRANCHISEE, OF ANY BINDING FRANCHISE OR OTHER AGREEMENT, OR AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE PAYMENT OF ANY CONSIDERATION BY THE FRANCHISEE, OR SUBFRANCHISOR, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, A COPY OF THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT, TOGETHER WITH A COPY OF ALL PROPOSED AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE SALE OF THE FRANCHISE.
THIS DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT CONTAINS A SUMMARY ONLY OF CERTAIN MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT. THE CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT SHOULD BE REFERRED TO FOR A STATEMENT OF ALL RIGHTS, CONDITIONS, RESTRICTIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF BOTH THE FRANCHISOR AND THE FRANCHISEE.
The Franchisor's registered agent in the state authorized to receive service of process is:
Commissioner of Securities Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Business Registration Division Securities Compliance Branch 335 Merchant Street, Room 203 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 52–209)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bambu's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the filing of the franchise in Hawaii does not constitute approval, recommendation, or endorsement by the Commissioner of Securities. The document explicitly states that the filing does not indicate that the Commissioner of Securities has found the information provided to be true, complete, and not misleading. This is a standard disclaimer in franchise filings, meant to prevent franchisees from assuming that the government has vetted the franchise opportunity.
This means that prospective Bambu franchisees in Hawaii must conduct their own thorough due diligence. They cannot rely on the fact that the franchise is registered with the state as an indication of its quality or viability. It is the franchisee's responsibility to carefully review the FDD, seek legal and financial advice, and assess the risks and rewards of investing in a Bambu franchise.
The addendum also highlights that Hawaii's Franchise Investment Law requires franchisors to provide prospective franchisees with the disclosure document and all related agreements at least seven days before any binding agreement is signed or any consideration is paid. This 'cooling off' period is designed to give franchisees time to review the documents and make an informed decision. Bambu's registered agent in Hawaii is the Commissioner of Securities, located within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in Honolulu.