What is included in the definition of 'Technology' that the Bambu Marketing and Technology Fund can be used for?
Bambu Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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").
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 28–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bambu's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Marketing and Technology Fund may cover expenses related to researching, developing, implementing, servicing, and operating technology used in the Bambu franchise system or Bambu shoppes. This includes technologies utilized in or related to Bambu's website, search engine optimization, and reporting of information for Bambu shoppes.
Additionally, the definition of "Technology" extends to the equipment used in Bambu shoppes and the computer systems within those shoppes. This broad definition allows Bambu to allocate funds from the Marketing and Technology Fund towards a wide range of technological aspects of the franchise system.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that the mandatory monthly Marketing and Technology Fee, which is $550 per month as of the date of the 2025 Disclosure Document and will increase to $575 per month on January 1, 2026, could be used to improve various technology systems. This includes the Bambu website, the equipment in the store, or the point-of-sale system. However, Bambu retains sole discretion over how the Marketing and Technology Fund is used, and there is no guarantee that these expenditures will directly benefit any individual franchisee.