Business status update

Updated 28 September 2020.

We’re pleased to see that the second lockdown restrictions are easing. It is still early days, but Again Again is actually coming back really strong, and we are ready to start refunding for fleet that has come back to us.

If your fleet is already with us, we will be in touch directly. If not, you can review the returns process here, and we will refund you once it gets back to us.

13 May 2020. From Managing Director, Nada Piatek.

COVID-19 has been an unprecedented event that has destabilized the global economy.

Just as businesses throughout the hospitality industry are under financial stress, so too is Again Again. In order for us to navigate together these rocky waters, we have documented below the current status of Again Again.

First up, Again Again is not charging any businesses in Lockdown 3 or above anything. 

We suspended all network fees proactively before the first lockdown, and have committed to remaining fee-free [for existing vendors] whilst cafes are in lockdown three or above. This simply takes some pressure off having to make decisions about our future relationship while cafes get up and running again.

Second, We have paused in accepting and refunding for fleet returns.

I'm afraid that for the moment Again Again is currently rejecting fleet returns and we are unable to honour a refund on this fleet at this time. Like you, Again Again has been at zero revenue and our advisory board has deemed the company to be under 'gross financial hardship'.  The Sunset Clause of the Vendor Terms of Trade allows for this within the terms of our agreement. This clause was inserted precisely for an extreme economic situation, such that COVID-19 has created, and to allow Again Again to remain resilient through such shocks. We acknowledge that temporarily activating this clause is not ideal for your company, and apologise. 

What’s next then? FBAU: future business as unusual.

Once the advisory board deems that Again Again is no longer in a position of 'gross financial hardship', we expect to return to receiving back and refunding for returned Again Again fleet. Notably, we will ensure that as 'future business-as-[un]usual' re-establishes, we will commit to receiving back and refunding for fleet, prior to ordering any new fleet.

Where to from here?

Is there an easier/more affordable way for Cafes to continue offering Again Again to your coffee drinking customers?

With recovery on the horizon, all businesses within the industry are looking for more lean and affordable ways to provide the warm New Zealand hospitality that we are so known for.

We have put our heads together and dreamed up a way of making Again Again work much (much) better for you. It will dramatically increase your impact on waste and save your cafe much more money:

PROJECT RESET: Eliminate single-use cups (SUCs) altogether + pay what you can.

COVID has heightened everyone's awareness of the urgency for change. Again Again has forged a new path forward for existing network cafes to increase the impact on avoidable SUC-waste, while absolutely reducing your costs. While you need time to get back on your feet financially we will come to the party by introducing 'pay-what-you-can' for network fees for the next six months, and you can put your existing cup fleet to greater work. It's win:win:win.

We invite you to:

• Pay what you can (for six months)

• Divert thousands more cups from landfill

• Have a sanitised, wastefree default option for your customers, and

• Save $$$ thousands.

And if we actually just need to withdraw?

We acknowledge that for some, withdrawing from Again Again, or worse, closing your cafe, will be on the cards. Kia kaha. These are hard times and you are not alone.

We can go ahead and start that process for you, but please be patient while we get Again Again out of our own financial pickle and give us your support and understanding on the delay in refunding for your fleet. We genuinely will do all we can to honour this as soon as we are able to.

You can choose to hold on to your fleet until Again Again is ready to refund for it, or you can send it back - we will acknowledge receipt of it. See here for details of how to return fleet.

In just over a year from launch, it has been incredible to see the power of partnering with a cohort of almost 200 cafes committed to reducing/eliminating single-use cup waste. Our purpose remains undimmed; to end single-use waste with a commercial, reusable cup lending system that supports guilt-free on the go coffee culture. We hope that in light of the post-COVID considerations above that you will take up the Project Open offer and up the ante on getting rid of single-use cups completely.

Kind regards,
Nada Piatek, and the Again Again team.