Drinks Partnership Brews Success Square Joins Forces with Bambu Dessert Drinks
Bambu Dessert Drinks, a fast-rising Vietnamese dessert and beverage franchise, has officially announced a major partnership with Square, the technology platform from Block, Inc. This strategic collaboration marks a significant step forward in Bambu’s growth trajectory, enabling the brand to scale its operations more efficiently across its network of franchise locations in North America. Through this partnership, all Bambu stores will now be equipped with Square’s suite of hardware and software tools to unify and streamline menu management, pricing, and day-to-day operational workflows.
Founded on the principles of authenticity and innovation, Bambu has quickly become a standout in the dessert drink category. Since launching its franchise model in 2015, the brand has seen impressive expansion, with dozens of locations across the U.S. and Canada and more in development. Known for its fresh, handcrafted Vietnamese chè, boba teas, smoothies, and fruit-based dessert drinks, Bambu’s menu has won the hearts of customers looking for bold flavors and visually stunning treats. However, as the brand scaled, the need for a centralized, adaptable, and scalable technology solution became clear.
“As we opened more stores and watched demand skyrocket, it became increasingly challenging to manage everything manually or with disconnected tools,” said Grant Bachman, Chief Operating Officer at Bambu Franchising LLC. “Every new location added complexity—new staff to train, different inventory systems, inconsistent pricing, and disjointed customer experiences. We realized we needed a partner with proven franchise capabilities to help us grow smarter.”
Bambu chose Square for Franchises, a solution specifically designed to address the unique challenges of scaling a multi-unit food and beverage operation. With Square’s centralized dashboard, Bambu’s corporate team can now update menus, adjust pricing, and introduce new items across every franchise location simultaneously. This ensures consistent branding, streamlined operations, and a seamless experience for customers regardless of where they visit.
“Square offered the best combination of power and simplicity,” Bachman continued. “The platform not only allows us to control critical elements of the business from a single interface, but it also empowers individual franchisees with easy-to-use tools that keep operations efficient and customers happy. With Square, we’re not just growing—we’re growing smarter.”
The implementation includes a full suite of Square tools to support both front- and back-of-house operations. At the point of sale, Bambu is rolling out Square Register, a sleek, all-in-one POS system designed to deliver fast, intuitive checkouts. In the kitchen, Square KDS (Kitchen Display System) enhances order accuracy and communication between staff, ensuring that complex dessert drinks are prepared precisely to spec. This is particularly valuable for Bambu, where visual presentation and ingredient customization are central to the customer experience.
In addition to hardware, Bambu is leveraging Square Loyalty, a tool designed to drive customer engagement and repeat business. With built-in rewards, personalized offers, and data-driven insights, Bambu franchisees can create lasting relationships with their guests while encouraging frequent visits.
“Loyalty is a big part of our brand,” Bachman noted. “Our customers love coming back to try new drinks, and they appreciate being rewarded for it. Square’s built-in loyalty tools help us make every visit more meaningful without adding complexity to our workflow.”
Behind the scenes, Square’s reporting and analytics tools give Bambu’s leadership a bird’s-eye view of performance across the franchise network. From sales trends and staff scheduling to inventory and compliance, decision-makers can now make faster, more informed choices that support growth while maintaining operational excellence.
Nick Molnar, Global Head of Sales at Block, emphasized the importance of simplicity and scale in today’s franchise environment. “For fast-growing franchises like Bambu, the right technology must deliver enterprise-level capabilities without the enterprise-level headaches. Square gives Bambu complete control over their operations while keeping the experience intuitive for their teams and franchise partners. It’s about enabling growth while preserving quality and brand integrity.”
Since adopting Square, Bambu has seen significant improvements in operational efficiency. Franchisees report less time spent on manual tasks and fewer errors in drink preparation, while customers benefit from faster service and more accurate orders. Corporate leadership now enjoys real-time access to data across locations, making it easier to spot trends, troubleshoot challenges, and provide support where needed.
One of the most transformative benefits has been the streamlined onboarding process for new locations. With standardized systems and centralized menu management, new stores can be up and running quickly with minimal technical hurdles. This enables Bambu to continue its aggressive growth strategy without losing the charm, quality, and consistency that have made it successful.
“Our mission is to share Vietnamese dessert culture with communities across North America,” Bachman said. “With Square, we now have the technology foundation to do that at scale. Whether we’re opening one store a month or five, we can maintain the same high standards and give every customer the true Bambu experience.”
The Bambu-Square partnership exemplifies how modern technology can serve as a growth engine for dynamic, consumer-focused brands. As Bambu moves into its next phase of development, the company is positioned not only to expand geographically but also to deepen its connection with customers through innovation, efficiency, and service.
Looking ahead, Bambu plans to continue integrating advanced features from the Square ecosystem, including marketing automation and deeper customer analytics, to drive even greater personalization and operational excellence. The brand’s leadership remains confident that with Square’s support, they can meet rising demand while staying true to their roots.
