In Virginia, when are Bambu franchisees required to pay the initial franchise fee?

According to Bambu's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees in Virginia are not required to pay the initial franchise fee until Bambu has completed its pre-opening obligations under the Franchise Agreement. This requirement is mandated by the Virginia State Corporation Commission's Division of Securities and Retail Franchising. This deferral also applies to other initial payments owed to Bambu.

This means that a new Bambu franchisee in Virginia will not have to pay the initial franchise fee upfront. Instead, the payment is delayed until Bambu fulfills its responsibilities in preparing the franchisee to open their location. This arrangement reduces the initial financial burden on the franchisee and aligns the payment with the progress of the franchise setup.

This condition is specifically outlined in the Virginia Rider to the Franchise Agreement, which adds a statement to Section 4.1 of the agreement. This ensures that the payment terms comply with Virginia state regulations. This deferral provides a level of financial protection for the franchisee, as they are not required to pay the fee until Bambu has met its obligations.