Can the Bambu Marketing and Technology Fund be used for public relations expenditures?
Bambu Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
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 can be used for public relations expenditures. Bambu has sole discretion over the administration of the fund. The fund may be used for applications that promote Bambu shops, such as loyalty programs, catering, and charitable events.
Specifically, the funds may be used for researching, preparing, maintaining, and directing advertising and promotional materials and public relations programs. This includes the production of commercial print, radio, television, magazine, newspaper, and internet advertising. It also covers direct response literature, direct mailings, brochures, collateral materials advertising, surveys of advertising effectiveness, Franchisee Advisory Council expenses, convention expenses, and social media marketing.
Bambu may also use the Marketing and Technology Fund to pay for expenses related to researching, developing, implementing, servicing, and operating any technology used in the Bambu franchise system or the Bambu shops. This includes technologies utilized in the website, search engine optimization, reporting of information, equipment, and computer systems. Bambu does not use the Marketing and Technology Fund to solicit franchisees.
In 2024, 63.6% of the Marketing and Technology Fund was spent on brand promotion programs, such as loyalty and gift cards and social media marketing, 32.7% on website and franchise resource center creative and menu design, 2.6% on software, and 1.1% on miscellaneous expenses. No percentage was spent on administrative expenses, and none of the Marketing and Technology Fund was carried over to fiscal year 2025.