“We’re keeping calm and carrying on”

"Our franchise partners continue to provide a cautious, respectful and socially distanced service," Cafe2U CEO Martyn Ward says

It doesn’t seem long ago that I was writing down my thoughts for this publication about our year to date, providing an overview of what is now ‘the first’ lockdown. Moreover, I certainly didn’t expect to be talking about a lockdown again so soon.

I discussed how in February that at our annual conference we’d laid out our plans for the coming decade and announced our new branding, app and innovative new electric technologies in our mobile coffee shops. More importantly, though, I’d recounted how excited we were to see all these being rolled out.

Unprecedented times

However, I then went on to express my thoughts - and indeed the shared feelings of many other companies - about the unprecedented times we’d encountered in the few weeks between our conference and Boris Johnson announcing what was meant to be an initial three-week lockdown on March 23 and the subsequent continuation of this into late spring.

My key observations were essentially that the world as we know it was changing, that it was to be a time when people and organisations showed their true colours and how community spirit would be hugely important in and out of the working world.

Further to this, I shared my own sense of pride about our company’s response to the pandemic and the brilliant work of the wider franchise community to adapt and endure in what has historically been our biggest challenge.

Whether it was through our drive to provide focus and clarity for our employees, supporting the wellbeing of our franchise partners or the unique opportunities to do more for others - such as delivering more than 15,000 free cups of coffee to NHS frontline workers - I felt humbled by the grit and determination of our franchisees.

Positive attitude

While things have never quite returned to the ‘normality’ we once had - even as restrictions began to ease - this positive attitude and resolve has been something we’ve continued to foster and exude across the organisation.

Our franchise partners will keep on providing a cautious, respectful and socially distanced service, following the same measures that have served our customers so well this year.

Finally, I feel it’s worth highlighting that I don’t doubt that I may once again find myself noting things down about all of this in the near future, but at the same time I’m convinced that I’ll be echoing the same positive sentiments when I do. Until that time, stay safe and look out for those around you.

Cafe2U

Name of franchise:

Cafe2U

Established:

2004

Number of franchised outlets:

90-plus

Location of units:

nationwide

Investment range:

as low as £15,000 (subject to status)

Minimum required capital:

£10,000 (subject to status)

Contact:

Teresa Fowler