Can the Bambu Marketing and Technology Fund be used for social media marketing?
Bambu Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
unts 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.
Although we intend the Marketing and Technology Fund to be of perpetual duration, we reserve the right to terminate the Marketing and Technology Fund on 30 days' notice, in which case we will distribute the funds remaining in the fund to our franchisees in proportion to their respective contributions during the preceding 12-month period. We may later reinstate the Marketing and Technology Fund upon the same terms and conditions set forth in this Disclosure Document upon 30 days' prior written notice.
During the 2024 fiscal year of the Marketing and Technology Fund, 63.6 percent of the Marketing and Technology Fund was spent on brand promotion programs, such as loyalty and gift cards and social media marketing, 32.7 percent on website and franchise resource center creative and menu design
photography expenses, 2.6 percent on software, and 1.1 percent on miscellaneous expenses. No percentage was spent on administrative expenses. None of the Marketing and Technology Fund was carried over to fiscal year 2025. No portion of the Marketing and Technology Fund was retained by our affiliates or us. No portion of the Marketing and Technology Fund was spent principally to solicit new franchise sales.
Local Advertising. You may create your own advertising, promotion, and social media materials and videos;
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 social media marketing. The document states that the fund may be used for advertising and promotional materials, including social media marketing, for international, national, or regional media.
Specifically, the FDD mentions that during the 2024 fiscal year, 63.6 percent of the Marketing and Technology Fund was allocated to brand promotion programs, which included social media marketing. This demonstrates a past allocation of funds towards social media efforts, indicating its permissibility and use within the marketing strategy.
While Bambu utilizes the Marketing and Technology Fund for social media marketing, franchisees are also permitted to create their own social media materials. However, these local materials must be approved by Bambu and adhere to their standards. Bambu also retains the right to mandate franchisee participation in electronic advertising, including social media programs.