Cake Box franchisees have reopened 79 stores – and the business hopes to have all its sites open again by early next month.
In line with many bakery chains, Cake Box closed all its stores after the government updated it social distancing advice in March.
Since then, the business has been reviewing its processes and operations and consulting with franchisees and their employees.
As a result of this, Cake Box has put in place new processes:
- Operating with smaller teams in store to allow for social distancing
- Clear demarcation of required social distancing throughout the premises
- Staff wearing PPE at all times including face masks and shields
- Implementing an enhanced personal and property hygiene regime.
The company said that after an initial trial of these processes, with stores operating click & collect and delivery, it told franchisees they could start trading again if they wished.
To date, 79 franchise stores are open offering a limited menu of products supplied from the Cake Box bakery in Enfield where the company has also brought in new health and safety procedures. The bakery is operating with reduced staffing levels to maintain appropriate distancing.
“Initial demand from customers has been encouraging, albeit at much lower levels than in normal trading conditions given the ongoing lockdown restrictions,” stated Cake Box, which hopes to have its full estate open by early June.
Cake Box has previously said that relatively low levels of rent and overheads would help its franchisee businesses recover from the impact of coronavirus.
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