Under what conditions might Bambu reduce or waive the Initial Franchise Fee?

According to Bambu's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the standard initial franchise fee is $49,000, payable in four installments. However, Bambu may, at its discretion, reduce or waive this fee under certain circumstances. Specifically, this can occur for franchisees who are opening in non-traditional locations. This could include venues like airports, universities, or stadiums, which often have different operational requirements and potentially lower revenue expectations.

Another instance where Bambu might reduce or waive the initial franchise fee is if a franchisee has already secured a suitable location for their Bambu shop before signing the Franchise Agreement. This suggests that franchisees who take initiative in finding and securing a viable location may be rewarded with a reduced fee, incentivizing proactive site selection.

Furthermore, the FDD indicates a discounted initial fee for franchisees who qualify to open multiple shops simultaneously under a Multi-Unit Development (MUD) Agreement. In this case, the initial franchise fee for the second and subsequent shops is $39,000, which is lower than the standard initial franchise fee. This discount is likely intended to encourage multi-unit ownership and expansion within the Bambu franchise system.

It is important to note that the decision to reduce or waive the initial franchise fee is ultimately at Bambu's discretion. Prospective franchisees should discuss these possibilities with Bambu during the franchise application process to understand the specific conditions and requirements for fee reduction or waiver.