Editing Video Ezy (section)

== History ==
Video Ezy commenced trading in 1983, when Kevin Slater opened his first store in the [[Sydney]] suburb of [[Hurstville]], renting out a small selection of [[VHS]] and [[Betamax]] format movies. In September 1984, Peter McLaughlin and Bill Coe opened the first franchised store at [[Miranda, New South Wales|Miranda]]. Other stores to open in quick succession were in the Sydney suburbs of [[Bankstown]], [[Liverpool, New South Wales|Liverpool]] and [[Chatswood, New South Wales|Chatswood]]. In the majority of these stores, Slater funded 50% of the [[capital (economics)|capital]] required to open. By 1986, Video Ezy comprised 18 stores, and by August 1987, there were 34 stores located across [[New South Wales]] and [[Queensland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.videolibraries.com.au/video-libraries-articles/1987/8/19/corner-stores-being-pushed-out-by-video-supermarkets/|title=Corner Stores Being Pushed Out By Video Supermarkets|first=Lea|last=Wright|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=19 August 1987|access-date=7 November 2013}}</ref> Expansion followed throughout other Australian states.<ref name="Video Ezy Online">{{cite web|url=http://www.videoezy.com.au/info/About/|title=Video Ezy: About Us|publisher=Video Ezy Online|access-date=22 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="Superbrands">{{cite web | url=http://superbrands.com.au/index.php/volumes/volume-4/81-volumes/volume-4/217-videoezy-vol4| title=Superbrands: Video Ezy Australia | publisher=Superbrands.com | access-date=22 October 2012 }}</ref> By 1990, the brand had grown to 102 stores,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afr.com/companies/australians-turn-off-video-19900522-k3xlz| title=AUSTRALIANS TURN OFF VIDEO | date=22 May 1990 | publisher=[[Australian Financial Review]]| access-date=2 April 2021 }}</ref> and over 300 by 1996.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/video-booms-despite-pay-tv-19960422-k6vvf| title=Video booms despite pay-TV | date=22 April 1996 | publisher=Australian Financial Review| access-date=5 April 2021 }}</ref> In that same year the Malaysian [[Berjaya Corporation|Berjaya Group]] made a major investment in the company, obtaining a 60 percent stake in the business,<ref>{{cite news |date=17 January 1996| page =39|title= Berjaya buys stakes in Australian firms|work=[[The Straits Times]]}}</ref><ref name=global/><ref name=berjaya>{{cite web|url=https://www.berjaya.com/assets/images/annual-reports/bjcorp02-6-7.pdf|title=statements – Berjaya Corporation Berhad|access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> with Video Ezy Chairman Robert Maidment owning the other 40 percent of the company.<ref name=simon/> During that time Video Ezy was made a subsidiary of CarLovers, an Australian [[car wash]] business also owned by Berjaya.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afr.com/politics/carlovers-looking-for-an-ezy-fix-19991103-k947e| title=CarLovers looking for an Ezy fix | date=3 November 1999 | publisher=Australian Financial Review| access-date=3 April 2021 }}</ref><ref name=berjaya/> Berjaya Group eventually divested its stake in the company in 2002 for [[AUD]]$12.5 million, selling it to Australian [[private equity]] firm [[Castle Harlan|CHAMP Ventures]].<ref name=simon>{{cite web | url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/how-much-of-a-wait-can-simon-bear-20020523-gdfawf.html| title=How much of a wait can Simon bear? | work=The Sydney Morning Herald| date=23 May 2002 |access-date=3 April 2021 }}</ref><ref name=berjaya/>

In May 2000, the [[Australian Competition & Consumer Commission]] (ACCC) charged Video Ezy with unlawfully increasing the rental price of new release movies in its corporate-owned stores in anticipation of the introduction of the [[Goods and services tax (Australia)|Goods and Services Tax]] later that year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-takes-court-action-against-video-ezy-and-senior-managers-with-first-gst-price| title=ACCC takes court action against Video Ezy and senior managers with first GST price exploitation case | date=26 May 2000 | publisher=ACCC | access-date=1 April 2021 }}</ref> It was the first case of GST price exploitation to be investigated by the commission, and the company faced possible fines of up to [[AUD]]$10 million if found guilty. Video Ezy Chairman Robert Maidment refuted the allegations and vowed to fight the charges.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afr.com/politics/fels-video-ezy-star-in-gst-court-clash-20000527-jgfva| title=Fels, Video Ezy star in GST court clash | date=27 May 2000 | publisher=Australian Financial Review| access-date=1 April 2021 }}</ref> The case was ultimately dropped in April 2001 after the company admitted to misleading customers, made an apology, and paid part of the ACCC's legal costs.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.anzsog.edu.au/resource-library/case-library/australian-competition-and-consumer-commission-the-and-video-ezy-b-epilogue-2004-5-2| title=THE AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION AND VIDEO EZY (B:EPILOGUE) 2004-5.2 | publisher=ANSOG| access-date=1 April 2021 }}</ref>

In 2003, Video Ezy sold almost all its corporate-owned stores in Australia, leaving only 2 stores, [[Narellan]] and [[Rosehill, New South Wales|Rosehill]], some 10 minutes away from its new head office at [[Rhodes, New South Wales|Rhodes]] (although in 2006 it would acquire additional corporate-owned stores). The company also commenced selling and renting Ezy Exclusive-branded TV series and movies on DVD such as ''[[Dinotopia (TV miniseries)|Dinotopia]]'', ''[[Kingpin (TV series)|Kingpin]]'', ''[[Will & Grace]]'', ''[[Taken (TV miniseries)|Taken]]'', ''[[The Believer (2001 film)|The Believer]]'' and other exclusive titles from [[Hallmark Entertainment]] and [[NBC]]. These titles were usually branded with Video Ezy's logo and carried slightly different artwork to DVDs sold outside the [[DVD region code#4|Region 4]] market. Ezy Exclusives were phased out in 2006.<ref name="Video Ezy Online"/><ref name="Superbrands"/> In 2004 Video Ezy introduced a subscription scheme called DVD Unlimited; for a monthly fee, Video Ezy customers could take home up to four movies at any one time and pay no late fees. The scheme was inspired by [[Netflix]]'s online [[DVD-by-mail|DVD subscription service]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/video-stores-feel-online-heat-20050924-jjh4q| title=Video stores feel online heat |first=John|last=Davidson|publisher=Australian Financial Review |date=24 September 2005| access-date=26 October 2020 }}</ref> The scheme was unrelated to the [[DVD Unlimited|New Zealand venture]] of the same name.

In August 2005, business partners Paul Uniacke and Edward Nedelko, who between them owned 24 Video Ezy franchises in [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]], purchased the shares held in Video Ezy Australasia by CHAMP Ventures, Perpetual Trustees and Ivany Investments to become majority shareholders in the company and replaced Robert Maidment as chairman. At that stage Video Ezy-branded outlets numbered 560 in Australia.<ref name=home>{{cite web | url=http://www.franchisebusiness.com.au/c/Brumby-s-Bakery-338002/Will-they-still-call-Australia-home-n854616| title=Will they still call Australia home? (27 March 2006) | publisher=Franchise Council of Australia | access-date=24 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessreviewaustralia.com/reports/franchise_entertainment_group|title=Franchise Entertainment Group Creates Amusement Down Under|first=Laura|last=Canter|work=Business Review Australia|date=1 July 2010|access-date=24 October 2012}}</ref> The company established a training facility in 2006 to develop staff expertise. They had previously worked with a company called Rascals which promoted the use of [[Australian Workplace Agreement]]s.

In March 2006, Paul Uniacke announced that the company had been working with digital media consultancy The Content Factory to develop a [[video on demand]] service with a planned launch the following year. The service would have used [[set-top boxes]] for delivering content and was also planned to eventually launch in Video Ezy's international markets.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2006/03/28/video-ezy-gearing-up-for-video-on-demand-launch/| title=Video Ezy gearing up for video-on-demand launch | date=27 March 2006 | publisher=[[Crikey]]| access-date=1 April 2021 }}</ref> Video Ezy and The Content Factory also trialled a service where customers could download movies at a store to a [[portable storage device]], which could then be watched at home via a [[digital media player]] designed by Australian tech company Mobilesoft.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.itwire.com/home-it/video-ezy-launches-bulk-video-rental-scheme-via-ipod.html| title=Video Ezy launches "bulk" video rental scheme – via iPod | publisher=iTWire| access-date=6 April 2021 }}</ref> Although both services did not move beyond limited market testing in Australia, the New Zealand franchisor of the company would launch a short-lived streaming service named Video Ezy on Demand in 2014.<ref name=nzondemand>{{cite web | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/60989708/video-ezy-launches-online-platform| title=Video Ezy launches online platform | publisher=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]]| access-date=1 April 2021 }}</ref>

In February 2007, [[Blockbuster Video|Blockbuster]], seeking to rationalise its international operations and concentrate on its home United States market, sold its entire Australian store network to Video Ezy Australasia. At the time, Blockbuster Australia comprised 370 outlets nationwide: 29 owned by the company and 341 owned by franchisees. Video Ezy had 518 Australian outlets, all of them being owned by franchisees, pushing the combined group's [[market share]] to 40% of the country's video rental sector. Video Ezy committed to the master franchise agreement with Blockbuster for 10 years operating the brand with the possibility of renewal for a further 10 years after that. As a consequence of the deal, the company changed its name from Video Ezy Australasia Pty Ltd to Franchise Entertainment Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itwire.com/opinion-and-analysis/seeking-nerdvana/9862-video-ezy-to-acquire-blockbuster-as-rental-stores-prepare-for-video-download-onslaught|title=Video Ezy to acquire Blockbuster as rental stores prepare for video download onslaught|first=Adam|last=Turner|work=iWire|date=23 February 2007|access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.smartcompany.com.au/strategy/video-ezy-takeover-of-blockbuster-gets-green-light.html| title=Video Ezy takeover of Blockbuster gets green light (19 September 2007) | publisher=Smart Company | access-date=27 October 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/video-ezy-fast-forwards-with-blockbuster-buy/2007/02/23/1171734021454.html|title=Video Ezy fast forwards with Blockbuster buy|first=AAP|last=Breaking News|work=[[The Age]]|date=24 February 2007|access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref>

In January 2009, Franchise Entertainment Group bought failed video retail chain [[EzyDVD]] from receivers [[Ferrier Hodgson]] for an estimated $10 million. The transaction included the EzyDVD brand and online business, and its 25-store franchise network in addition to stock, plant, equipment and the remaining 11 company-owned stores. FEG CEO Paul Uniacke said to the media after the deal, "We don't have video rental stores in high-traffic areas such as the major malls because you can't rent a DVD and the next day just easily park your car and return to it. The EzyDVD stores are in all the major mall chains and this cements us well and truly in this market." Soon after, EzyDVD's head office, warehouse and distribution facility in [[Torrensville]] closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smartcompany.com.au/retail/ezydvd-bought-from-receivers-by-franchise-entertainment-group.html|title=EzyDVD bought from receivers by Franchise Entertainment Group|first=James|last=Thomson|work=Smart Company|date=23 January 2009|access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/top-stories/rival-buys-troubled-ezydvd-for-10m/story-e6frfkp9-1111118642717|title=Franchise Entertainment Group buys troubled EzyDVD for $10m|first=Anthony|last=Klan|work=News.com.au|date=23 January 2009|access-date=28 October 2012}}</ref> In October 2010, Uniacke and Nedelko arranged for the transfer of the Video Ezy Australia, Blockbuster Australia and EzyDVD online businesses from FEG to their other company [[Elan Media Partners]], leaving FEG to manage the franchise relationships with individual Video Ezy and Blockbuster outlets and the remaining EzyDVD-branded stores.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-news/industry/2010/08/20/stomp-sold-to-video-ezy-blockbuster-ezydvd/|title=Stomp Sold To Video Ezy, Blockbuster, EzyDVD|date=20 August 2010|work=The Music Network|access-date=13 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-features/industry/2010/09/09/the-aftershock-whats-next-for-shock-and-stomp/|title=The Aftershock: What's next for Shock and Stomp|first=Lars|last=Brandle|work=The Music Network|date=9 September 2010|access-date=13 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elanmediapartners.com/media/584/elan_release_6_oct_2010.pdf|title=Media Release: New Name, New Business Opportunities As Stomp Becomes Élan Media Partners|date=6 October 2010|work=Élan Media Partners|access-date=13 March 2013}}</ref> By October 2013, only three EzyDVD stores remained in [[Launceston, Tasmania|Launceston]], [[Browns Plains]] and [[Elizabeth, South Australia|Elizabeth]]. EzyDVD was later acquired by The Kingston Group in 2017; only its website and online store have remained operating as of 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allinteractive.com.au/third-party-logisitcs/australia-wide-third-party-logistics-3pl/| title=Australia-wide third-party logistics (3PL) | date=11 October 2020 | access-date=21 September 2021 }}</ref>

In May 2011, a new [[loyalty card]] branded as Flash Rewards was introduced by Video Ezy (superseding DVD Unlimited), offering customers who sign-up and pay a fee, discounts and extended services in all participating Video Ezy stores. This allowed customers to upgrade their basic rental membership, with Paul Uniacke adding, "when someone joins Flash Rewards, they can then rent from any participating Video Ezy store and access their Flash benefits without the need to sign up with each store every time." In addition, Flash Rewards offered discounts from partner companies such as [[Donut King]], [[Eagle Boys]], [[AMF Bowling Australia|AMF Bowling]], [[Anytime Fitness]], [[Are Media|ACP Magazines]], and 25% off cinema ticket prices at [[Village Cinemas]], [[Event Cinemas|Event Cinemas/Greater Union/Birch Carroll & Coyle]], [[Hoyts]], [[Reading Cinemas]], [[Wallis Cinemas]], Dendy, and [[Palace Cinemas (Australia)|Palace Cinemas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.franchise.net.au/inspire/franchisee/movie-downloads-no-threat-as-video-ezy-launches-ne|title=Movie downloads no threat as Video Ezy launches new rewards program|first=Danielle|last=Bowling|work=Franchising|date=1 June 2011|access-date=2 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.retailbiz.com.au/2011/05/26/article/Video-Ezy-launches-flashy-loyalty-program/PVFNITLYCS.html| title=Video Ezy launches flashy loyalty program (26 May 2011)| publisher=RetailBiz.com.au | access-date=2 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insideretailing.com.au/IR/IRNews/Flashy-new-rewards-program-981.aspx|title=Flashy new rewards program|first=Inside|last=Retailing|work=Inside Retailing|date=26 May 2011|access-date=2 November 2012}}</ref> However, the deals involving outside partner companies ended in early 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.flashrewards.com.au/| title=Flash Rewards| publisher=Video Ezy Online | access-date=6 July 2013 }}</ref>

In June 2011, a select group of Video Ezy and Blockbuster franchises incorporated [[Metcash]]'s Lucky 7 convenience stores, stocking more than 500 different products including newspapers, bread, milk and various snacks.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.franchise.net.au/inspire/franchisee/video-ezy-and-blockbuster-trialling-convenience-st| title=Video Ezy and Blockbuster trialling convenience store offering (6 June 2011)| publisher=Franchising | access-date=2 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.franchise.net.au/inspire/franchisee/franchisees-in-control-of-lucky-7-expansion|title=Franchisees in control of Lucky 7 expansion|first=Danielle|last=Bowling|work=Franchising|date=8 June 2011|access-date=2 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.retailbiz.com.au/2011/06/07/article/Lucky-7s-trial-in-video-stores/NTETKDBSZP.html| title=Lucky 7's trial in video stores (7 June 2011)| publisher=RetailBiz.com.au | access-date=2 November 2012 }}</ref> In October 2011, it was announced that Daryl McCormack, a former chief executive officer of Video Ezy and their largest franchisee, would partner his 15 stores with Franchised Food Company's [[Cold Rock Ice Creamery]] to open smaller, Express outlets within stores becoming dual franchises. The first Video Ezy and Cold Rock Express outlet opened in [[Kew, Victoria|Kew]], Melbourne.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.franchise.net.au/news/cold-rock-launches-new-express-model| title=Cold Rock launches new Express model (7 November 2011)| publisher=Franchising | access-date=1 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brw.com.au/Page/Uuid/6da5742c-f9ed-11e0-a5a3-48efda096a5a|title=Mix and match sales|first=Jessica|last=Gardner|work=[[BRW (magazine)|BRW]]|date=2 November 2011|access-date=1 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/iceman-plans-to-pair-licks-and-flicks/story-fn6ck2gb-1226353297283|title=Iceman plans to pair licks and flicks|first=Sophie|last=Foster|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|date=12 May 2012|access-date=1 November 2012}}</ref>

In November 2011, Video Ezy found itself embroiled in a [[social media]] backlash when it refused to end its long-term sponsorship with [[Southern Cross Austereo]]'s networked radio program ''[[Take40 Australia]]'' after its co-host, [[Kyle Sandilands]] made sexist comments about a [[News Corp Australia|News Limited]] journalist on his [[2Day FM]] breakfast program, ''[[The Kyle & Jackie O Show]]''. Even though the comments were made on another program with Video Ezy having the added complication of being a [[naming rights]] sponsor of ''Take40 Australia'', complaints piled up on its [[Facebook]] page to such an extent that after a month the brand was forced to pull advertising from the show temporarily during the summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smartcompany.com.au/internet/20111129-smes-warned-of-potential-for-social-media-backlash-after-customers-attack-video-ezy-on-facebook.html|title=SMEs warned of potential for social media backlash after customers attack Video Ezy on Facebook|first=Patrick|last=Stafford|work=Smart Company|date=29 November 2011|access-date=28 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.franchise.net.au/news/video-ezy-in-online-storm-over-ad-support-for-sand| title=Video Ezy in online storm over ad support for Sandilands' radio show (28 November 2011)| publisher=Franchising | access-date=28 October 2012 }}</ref> Sandilands was removed as co-host of ''Take40 Australia'' during this period, and Video Ezy continued to sponsor the program.

===International expansion and decline===
Video Ezy opened its first international location in [[Auckland]], New Zealand in 1988, with master licensor Video Ezy International Ltd established in 1991 to expand the brand worldwide.<ref name=berjaya1998/> In January 1997, partnering with Berjaya Group, Video Ezy expanded into the Asian market with its first outlet in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia.<ref name=variety/><ref name=global>{{cite web | url=https://www.afr.com/politics/video-ezy-plans-global-expansion-19980520-k83iz| title=Video Ezy plans global expansion | publisher=Australian Financial Review| access-date=2 April 2021 }}</ref> In May 1998, Video Ezy Chairman Robert Maidment told the ''[[Australian Financial Review]]'' that the company was "looking to make Video Ezy an international brand name", and had held discussions with potential partners in Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom, with plans to also expand into [[Brunei]] and the Philippines.<ref name=global/><ref name=variety>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2000/digital/news/oz-s-video-ezy-hits-new-asian-markets-1117785687/| title=Oz's Video Ezy hits new Asian markets | work=Variety| access-date=2 April 2021 }}</ref> In March 1999 the company opened its first outlet in [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]]. The company aimed to open 100 stores in the country by the end of the year 2000,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pattayamail.com/318/business.htm#hd7| title=Video Ezy plans ambitious expansion drive | work=Pattaya Mail| access-date=2 April 2021 }}</ref> and 150 in Malaysia by 2003.<ref name=berjaya1998/>

The first Indonesian Video Ezy outlet opened in March 2001.<ref name=variety2>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2002/biz/news/distribs-dent-vcd-piracy-in-indonesia-1117866762/| title=Distribs dent VCD piracy in Indonesia | work=Variety| access-date=7 April 2021 }}</ref> That same year the first Video Ezy outlet opened in Singapore within the Jelita Shopping Centre at [[Bukit Timah]]. The Singapore network consisted of a mixture of corporate-owned and franchised stores located in either outdoor shopping strips like [[Holland Village, Singapore|Holland Village]], residential towers such as [[International Plaza (Singapore)|International Plaza]], or large shopping centres such as [[VivoCity]]. Unlike Australia, Video Ezy Singapore could operate in most shopping centres due to 7-day-week late night shopping hours and its population less reliant on private automobiles needing to park outside stores.<ref name="Video Ezy Singapore">{{cite web|url=http://www.videoezy.com.sg/locations.aspx|title=Video Ezy: Singapore Store Locations|publisher=Video Ezy Online|access-date=10 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.videoezy.com.sg/aboutus.aspx | title=Video Ezy (Singapore): About Us | publisher=Video Ezy Online | access-date=17 March 2013 }}</ref> 

In June 2005, Video Ezy opened its first outlet in the [[United Arab Emirates]] at the [[Ibn Battuta Mall]] in [[Dubai]]. The company planned to open 17 more stores throughout Dubai in the following 10 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.albawaba.com/business/australia%E2%80%99s-leading-movie-rental-chain-arrives-dubai|title=Australia's leading movie rental chain arrives in Dubai|access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref> By August 2005, Video Ezy had 156 stores in New Zealand, 128 in Thailand, 135 in Indonesia, 19 in Singapore (24 in December 2005 <ref>{{cite news |title=DVD rental wars |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/today20051209-1.2.132.6?qt=%22video%20ezy%22&q=%22video%20ezy%22 |work=Today (Singaporean newspaper) |date=9 December 2005}}</ref> and 28 in 2007),<ref>{{cite news |title=Video Ezy no more |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20150423-1.2.6.5.9.1?qt=%22video%20ezy%22&q=%22video%20ezy%22 |work=The Straits Times |date=23 April 2005}}</ref> nine in Malaysia, one in the United Arab Emirates and one in [[Fiji]].<ref name=home/>

In its Asian franchises, Video Ezy also offered [[Video CD]] and [[LaserDisc]] movie rentals to its customers due to the increased popularity of the formats there.<ref name=berjaya1998/><ref name=variety2/> However one of Video Ezy's biggest challenges in doing business in Asia was the rampant [[video piracy]] in the region.<ref name=variety/><ref name=berjaya1998>{{cite web|url=https://www.berjaya.com/assets/images/annual-reports/bjcorp98.pdf|title=Berjaya Corporation 1998 Annual Report|access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref><ref name=berjaya2007>{{cite web|url=https://www.berjaya.com/assets/images/annual-reports/bjcorp07.pdf|title=Berjaya Corporation 2007 Annual Report|access-date=2 April 2021}}</ref> This had particularly affected Video Ezy's plans for expansion in Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iipa.org/files/uploads/2018/01/rbc20082008SPEC301MALAYSIA.pdf|title=INTERNATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ALLIANCE 2008 SPECIAL 301 REPORT – MALAYSIA|access-date=3 April 2021}}</ref><ref name=berjaya2007/> In Indonesia, where consumers could buy pirated movies on Video CD for as low as [[USD]]50¢, Video Ezy tried to mitigate this by lowering their rental prices to match, with some success.<ref name=variety2/> Video piracy also negatively effected the business in [[Fiji]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fijisun.com.fj/2008/06/07/fighting-an-illegal-industry/|title=Fighting An Illegal Industry|access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref><ref name=fiji>{{cite web|url=https://www.asiaiplaw.com/sector/copyright/video-store-owner-joins-pirates|title=Video Store Owner Joins Pirates|access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref> forcing the owner of the Fijian Video Ezy franchise to close his five remaining stores in 2012 after incurring losses of [[USD]]$170,000.<ref name=fiji/>

Between 2008 and 2011, Video Ezy Indonesia closed 51 of their stores, blaming the closures on the continuing wide availability of pirated movies on DVD and Video CD as well as the rise in popularity of [[Pay TV]] channels and internet downloads, leaving 105 outlets left in the country.<ref name=indon>{{cite web|url=https://peluangusaha.kontan.co.id/news/ceruk-bisnis-penyewaan-video-film-orisinal-kian-sempit|title=Ceruk bisnis penyewaan video film orisinal kian sempit|language=Indonesian|date=15 August 2011|work=Kontan.co.id|access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> From 2011 to January 2013, the Indonesian franchise had shut down a further 60 of their outlets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/01/12/video-rental-stores-survive-digital-era.html|title=Video rental stores survive in digital era|date=12 January 2013|work=[[The Jakarta Post]]|access-date=21 January 2013}}</ref> By mid-2014 Video Ezy had 90 stores left in New Zealand.<ref name=nzondemand/> In 2015, Video Ezy International (NZ), the New Zealand franchisor entered liquidation, forcing the Australian parent company to take over.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/68204345/video-ezy-nz-franchisor-in-liquidation|title=Video Ezy NZ franchisor in liquidation|website=Stuff|access-date=1 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/aussie-takeover-liquidation-video-ezy-vy-p-171996|title=Aussie takeover of in-liquidation Video Ezy|website=NBR|access-date=1 April 2021}}</ref> The company eventually pulled out of New Zealand in 2018, with only 6 stores still operating at the time of closure.<ref name=finalNZ>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/103530752/video-ezy-calls-it-a-wrap-as-final-days-loom-for-new-zealand-stores.html|title=Video Ezy calls it a wrap as final days loom for New Zealand stores|website=Stuff NZ|access-date=3 November 2018}}</ref> The company sold off its three remaining Singaporean outlets to local video rental chain Movie Magic in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |title=Singapore firm buys Video Ezy stores |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20150423-1.2.55.2?qt=%22video%20ezy%22&q=%22video%20ezy%22 |work=The Straits Times |date=23 April 2015}}</ref>

===Rental kiosks===
[[File:Video Ezy Express Jam Factory.jpg|thumb|upright|right|A Video Ezy Express rental kiosk located within [[The Jam Factory]] on [[Chapel Street, Melbourne|Chapel Street]], [[Melbourne]]]]
In December 2011, Franchise Entertainment Group switched on its first Video Ezy Express DVD and Blu-ray rental kiosk after announcing their roll-out in May that year. FEG bought one thousand DVD kiosks through US company, [[NCR Corporation]] for [[AUD]]$20 million with Uniacke adding, "we're looking to get to 3,000 within three years. I'm looking to own the market within a two-year period." FEG established Evolve Entertainment to manage the rental kiosk side of the business.<ref name=evolve>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/cgbpublishing/docs/bf_mag-issue_jul-aug_2014/60|title=Business Franchise Aus & NZ Jul/Aug 2014|date=4 July 2014|access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref> Video Ezy Express kiosks could be leased from Evolve by local Video Ezy and Blockbuster franchisees and located in high foot-traffic areas such as shopping centres and supermarkets. For consumers, prices to rent are much lower, and no membership cards are required with the initial rental fee and extended fees being charged direct to the consumer's credit card.

Video Ezy Express initially competed in Australia and New Zealand with the 300 plus strong [[Hoyts Kiosk]] network. They also competed with approximately 100 RedRoom kiosks for the first month until Evolve acquired the entire seven-year-old business, taking out a significant competitor while adding capacity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/video-stores-to-roll-out-rental-kiosks-in-fight-for-dvd-dollars/story-e6frg8zx-1226061473875|title=Video stores to roll out rental kiosks in fight for DVD dollars|first=Lara|last=Sinclair|work=[[The Australian]]|date=24 May 2011|access-date=11 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/franchising/redroomdvd-sale-heralds-a-move-to-kiosks-20111216-1oy1z.html|title=RedRoomDVD sale heralds a move to kiosks|first=Clare|last=Kermond|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=16 December 2011|access-date=11 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.videoezy.com.au/express| title=Video Ezy Express (Australia)| publisher=Video Ezy Online | access-date=11 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.videoezyexpress.co.nz/| title=Video Ezy Express (New Zealand)| publisher=Video Ezy Online | access-date=11 November 2012 }}</ref> In November 2017, Evolve acquired Hoyts Kiosk with all machines replaced with Express-branded kiosks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/hoyts-dvd-vending-business-to-be-swallowed-by-rival-video-ezy-express-20180103-p4yy7v.html|title=Hoyts DVD vending business to be swallowed by rival Video Ezy Express|first=Jennifer|last=Drake|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=5 January 2018|access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.videoezy.com.au/VideoEzy/company-info/WelcomeHoyts/|title=Thanks for visiting Hoytskiosk.com.au|publisher=Video Ezy|access-date=2019-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826054056/http://www.videoezy.com.au/VideoEzy/company-info/WelcomeHoyts/|archive-date=2019-08-26}}</ref> A small number of Blockbuster-branded rental kiosks also continued to operate.<ref name=covid/>

Video Ezy's kiosks initially operated under a [[hub and spoke]] distribution model, with a franchisee operating a store supported by several kiosks in surrounding areas.<ref name=evolve/> While the kiosk would feature new release movies, consumers looking for older titles would come into the store which had a much larger video library.<ref name=sunshine/> As stores began to close, franchisees moved on to operate only kiosks.<ref name=guardian/>

At a March 2021 general meeting of the company, it was decided that Evolve Entertainment would be [[wound up]] and liquidators appointed.<ref name=notice>{{cite web|url=https://publishednotices.asic.gov.au/browsesearch-notices/notice-details/Evolve-Entertainment-Pty-Limited-In-Liquidation-150750093/8f18f857-08cc-4de7-8fbb-408cb57cdfc8|title=NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT AS LIQUIDATOR|date=5 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021}}</ref>