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Franchising is no longer a niche business venture. Recent data shows that 99.5% of franchises succeed, whereas 50% of small businesses fail.

In 2026, the franchise model evolved into something much bigger, with more and more investors choosing to put their money into franchises over traditional businesses.

Franchising is No Longer Confined to Fast Food

UK franchising has grown into a £19.1 billion industry. Over the last five years, there’s also been a 53% spike in franchises. Interestingly, franchising is also evolving to become more diverse. Take entertainment, for example. Series like Yellowstone, for example, started with a core brand, with multiple spin-offs, streaming partnerships, licensing agreements, and more.

This creates loyalty loops that can be scaled in a similar way to business franchises. People who like one part of the brand are likely to go on to invest in the other shows under the same umbrella. Netflix also prioritises ecosystems, rather than standalone shows.

The same concept can also be seen in iGaming. Those who enjoy Vegas slots games will see notable franchises, including Cod Chaos, Big Bass, Fishin’ Frenzy, and more. Examples like this show how content can be scaled, building on experiences to create full ecosystems of entertainment that are familiar.

Spotify is another example of how powerful franchising can be. Content creators have become brands, creating subscriber communities while hosting exclusive series. Podcast hosts now usually host podcasts on YouTube, Spotify, and beyond, meaning loyalty can be ported across different platforms in a way that is very similar to how franchise businesses expand.

As UK franchises are successful 99.5% of the time, according to the data, it’s a powerful way for people to navigate uncertain economic conditions. In an age where consumers are overwhelmed by choice, businesses are investing more in scalable ventures.

Strong Examples of Franchises in the UK

One of the best examples of franchising in the UK would be Subway UK. While Subway is recognised across the globe, the UK operation shows how possible it is to create consistency at scale. Even though each store follows the same layout, promotional campaigns, branding, and menu, managers still have an element of control.

From staff perks to hiring and holidays, each manager can run the store independently, but with a familiar structure that governs high customer retention. Consumers who walk into a store in London, Manchester, or Wales know what to expect every single time. Large UK pizza chains like Domino’s are also a prime example. Their revenue climbed to 3.1% last year, bringing in £685.4m in profit.

It’s not just fast food chains that are capitalising on the franchise boom, either. Stores like CeX, a store that sells second-hand tech and media, boast an annual turnover of £1 million per store. Data like this shows how powerful franchising can be, as investors are able to capitalise on existing client bases, branding and pricing structure, but with some level of control over how the business is run. It offers the perfect foundation for profit and, for audiences, provides much-needed familiarity in saturated markets.

Britain’s second-hand electric vehicle market has shifted into a higher gear, with sales of used battery-electric cars climbing to a record high in the opening quarter of the year as buyers wrestling with stubbornly high pump prices reassess the cost of motoring.

Figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 86,943 used pure-electric cars changed hands between January and March, a 32 per cent jump on the same period last year and the strongest quarterly performance since records began. Battery-electric models also captured a record 4.3 per cent share of the second-hand market, edging the technology closer to the mainstream.

The headline EV growth came against a notably subdued backdrop for the wider sector. The SMMT reported that just over two million used vehicles in total changed hands during the first three months, leaving the broader market essentially flat. That contrast underlines the speed at which the electrification thesis is now feeding through to ordinary forecourt decisions, particularly among private buyers and small business owners weighing the total cost of ownership.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said the surge reflected the widening pool of affordable used electric stock coming back into the market three or four years after the first significant wave of new EV registrations. He warned, however, that the trajectory remained dependent on continued policy support for the new-car market that ultimately supplies it.

“Growing choice from manufacturers is feeding through into the second-hand electric vehicle market,” Mr Hawes said. “High fuel prices, given the conflict in Iran, may increase demand even further but to maintain this momentum, every fiscal and policy lever must be pulled to ensure a healthy new car market that delivers zero-emission vehicles that can in future flow through to the used market.”

His comments will be read closely in Whitehall, where ministers are under pressure to revisit incentives for both private buyers and the company car schemes that have, until now, done much of the heavy lifting on EV adoption. With the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate continuing to ratchet up the proportion of electric models manufacturers must sell, any softening in new-car demand would, on current trends, eventually choke off the supply of nearly new EVs that smaller businesses and private motorists are increasingly hunting down.

Ian Plummer, chief customer officer at Auto Trader, said the data dovetailed with the behaviour his platform was already seeing among shoppers. “The real story is how the market’s evolving, particularly in terms of electrification. Used EV transactions are up, and market share is rising. That mirrors what we’re seeing on our platform, where nearly one in four used car inquiries are for sub-five-year-old electric models,” he said.

“Rising prices at the pump, driven by global instability, are prompting more people to reassess their running costs, helping to accelerate this shift even further.”

For SME owners running pool cars and small fleets, the figures will sharpen an already pressing calculation. With petrol and diesel prices once again being buffeted by geopolitical risk, the gap between forecourt costs and home or depot charging is widening, while improving used-EV residuals are easing one of the longest-standing objections to making the switch. Whether the government can keep the new-car pipeline flowing strongly enough to sustain that supply, however, remains the question hanging over the second half of the year.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

The Department of Justice announced a settlement with PayPal, Inc. after the company allegedly pushed “a discriminatory investment program created for Black and minority-owned businesses.”

“This Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s vow to root out illegal DEI from every corner of corporate America,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement Tuesday. “American corporations are on notice: you will face our aggressive enforcement if you use race or national origin to discriminate against qualified Americans.”

In 2020, PayPal launched a one-time $530 million commitment known as the Economic Opportunity Fund to “expand economic opportunity for Black and underrepresented minority businesses and communities.” The Department of Justice investigated this program over potentially violating The Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which prohibits creditors from discriminating based on race or color.

GOOGLE DROPS DIVERSITY HIRING TARGETS, REVIEWING DEI POLICIES: REPORT

The Department of Justice did not determine whether PayPal violated federal law with its 2020 fund. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Though the Justice Department did not determine that PayPal violated the Equal Credit Opportunity Act or any federal law, the department claimed PayPal did not implement the program to counter past examples of discrimination.

The Department of Justice is also not prohibited from bringing action against PayPal for any future violations of the Equal Opportunity Act.

DISNEY DITCHES ‘DIVERSITY’ AND ‘DEI’ IN BUSINESS REPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019

As part of the settlement, PayPal will launch a new Small Business Initiative and waive processing fees for $1 billion of transactions, or approximately $30 million, for American businesses that are veteran-owned or engaged in farming, manufacturing, or technology.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche released a statement touting the settlement with PayPal as an effort to root out “illegal DEI.” (Alex Wroblewski / AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

PayPal has also been instructed to inform employees on the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and provide an annual report on the initiative.

PAYPAL PLANS TO LAUNCH BANK SERVING SMALL BUSINESSES AROUND THE US

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a PayPal spokesperson said, “For more than two decades, PayPal has helped small businesses start, scale, and thrive by expanding access to digital financial tools. We’re excited to launch the Small Business Initiative to infuse American small businesses with even more economic opportunity.”

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division celebrated the decision as further effort by the Trump administration to eliminate discrimination among businesses.

PayPal issued a statement in support of its new Small Business Initiative. (Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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“With this settlement, PayPal agrees that race and national origin should play no part in determining which small businesses deserve its investment and financial support,” Dhillon said.

LOS ANGELES — Hayden Panettiere has come forward with a disturbing account from her teenage years, claiming a woman she trusted as a protector physically placed her in bed next to an “undressed” and “very famous” man when she was just 18 years old. The “Nashville” and “Heroes” actress shared the alleged incident during a candid interview on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, promoting her upcoming memoir “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” set for release on May 19, 2026.

Panettiere, now 36, described the encounter as “shocking” and said it left her in survival mode. She recalled being on a boat where the trusted woman led her downstairs into a small room containing a bed. “She physically put me in the bed next to this undressed man who was very famous,” Panettiere said, adding that the man behaved as if the situation was routine for him.

The actress did not name the man or the woman involved. She emphasized feeling betrayed by someone she viewed as a mentor and protector, realizing only later how vulnerable and naive she had been at that age. Panettiere told Shetty she immediately recognized the danger, escaped the situation, and hid, feeling isolated at sea.

Context From Her Memoir and Career

The revelation is part of Panettiere’s broader reflection on her experiences in Hollywood as a child star turned young adult actress. She rose to fame as a child on shows like “One Life to Live” before starring as Claire Bennet on “Heroes” and later as Juliette Barnes on “Nashville.” Her memoir explores themes of trauma, addiction, postpartum depression, and the pressures of early fame.

Panettiere has been open in recent years about her struggles, including a high-profile custody battle with ex-partner Wladimir Klitschko over their daughter Kaya, and her battle with substance abuse. She has described the memoir as a reckoning with her past and a step toward healing.

In the podcast, she tied the boat incident to broader patterns of exploitation faced by young women in the entertainment industry. “I realized I was in danger,” she recalled, noting how her underdeveloped sense of risk at 18 left her unprepared for such situations.

Public and Industry Reaction

News of Panettiere’s account spread rapidly across social media and entertainment outlets Tuesday. Fans expressed shock and support, with many praising her courage for sharing such a personal story. Hashtags related to the interview trended as supporters called for greater protections for young performers in Hollywood.

The entertainment industry has faced increased scrutiny in recent years over power imbalances, with movements like #MeToo highlighting cases of coercion and abuse. Panettiere’s story adds to ongoing conversations about safeguarding minors and young adults entering the business, though her decision not to name individuals has sparked mixed reactions. Some applaud her focus on personal healing over public shaming, while others urge more accountability.

No legal action has been mentioned in connection with the alleged incident, and representatives for Panettiere have not released further statements beyond the podcast appearance. The man’s identity remains undisclosed, leaving speculation among fans and media.

Panettiere’s Path to Recovery

Beyond the boat incident, Panettiere has detailed other challenges in her life and career. She has spoken about the intense pressures of child stardom, body image issues, and the emotional toll of public scrutiny. Her custody decision to allow her daughter to live primarily with Klitschko in Ukraine was made amid severe postpartum depression and addiction struggles, a choice she has described as life-saving.

In recent years, Panettiere has focused on sobriety, mental health advocacy, and rebuilding her career. She appeared in “Scream 6” and has teased future projects. The memoir represents a full-circle moment, allowing her to reclaim her narrative after years of tabloid headlines.

Jay Shetty, host of the popular podcast, praised Panettiere’s vulnerability during the episode, noting how such stories highlight the need for better support systems in Hollywood. The full interview, which runs nearly two hours, covers her relationships, fame, and personal growth.

Broader Implications

Panettiere’s disclosure arrives at a time when Hollywood continues grappling with reform. Industry initiatives for safer working environments, intimacy coordinators, and anti-harassment policies have gained traction since the #MeToo movement, yet advocates argue more work remains, especially for young talent.

Experts note that stories like Panettiere’s — shared years later in memoirs or interviews — often reflect delayed processing of trauma. Many survivors choose not to name individuals publicly due to legal risks, emotional burden, or a desire to focus on healing rather than confrontation.

For Panettiere, the decision to include the anecdote appears rooted in authenticity and helping others feel less alone. “I was so naive,” she reflected, hoping her openness encourages younger performers to trust their instincts and seek support.

As anticipation builds for “This Is Me: A Reckoning,” fans and observers await further details. The book promises deeper insight into the actress’s journey from child star to survivor, offering a raw look at fame’s darker side alongside moments of resilience and joy.

Panettiere’s willingness to revisit painful memories underscores a larger cultural shift toward transparency. Whether her story prompts industry changes or simply provides catharsis for the actress herself, it adds another voice to the conversation about power, vulnerability, and accountability in entertainment.

For now, Hayden Panettiere continues focusing on recovery, motherhood, and forward momentum — one honest conversation at a time.

NEW YORK — Persistent online speculation about an impending divorce between Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds has intensified in 2026, largely fueled by Lively’s high-profile legal battle with Justin Baldoni, yet the Hollywood power couple continues to project unity through affectionate public appearances, supportive statements and direct dismissals that suggest the gossip remains firmly in the realm of unverified rumors.

As of mid-May 2026, no divorce filings have appeared in court records, and multiple sources close to the pair describe their marriage as intact despite intense media scrutiny surrounding Lively’s lawsuit. The couple, married since September 2012, shares four children — James, 11, Inez, 9, Betty, 6, and Olin, 3 — and maintains homes in New York and California.

Rumors gained traction earlier this year when Lively attended events solo and faced questions tied to her lawsuit against Baldoni, her “It Ends With Us” co-star and director. Online commentators speculated that the stress of the legal fight, which settled on May 4, 2026, just before trial, might strain the marriage. However, Reynolds publicly praised his wife in a rare statement, calling her “kind & fearless” in a Mother’s Day tribute and expressing pride in her integrity during the dispute.

Couple’s Public Rebuttals

Lively has directly addressed the chatter on social media. In response to a fan comment about divorce rumors, she replied with a lighthearted “Haha they wish,” a signature witty dismissal that echoes previous times the couple has batted away split speculation. In March 2026, the pair was photographed sharing a warm embrace at a Wrexham AFC match in Wales, with Lively later posting a smiling selfie with Reynolds on Instagram Stories.

Their PDA-filled outing and continued joint appearances have reassured fans that the marriage remains strong. Reynolds has also referenced the Baldoni situation supportively, telling interviewers he has “never in my life been more proud of my wife.”

Legal Battle Context

Much of the current rumor wave stems from Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni and related parties over alleged harassment and retaliation during the making of “It Ends With Us.” The case settled without a monetary exchange days before a scheduled May 2026 trial, with Lively dropping remaining claims while reserving the right to pursue fees. She attended the Met Gala solo shortly after the settlement, which some tabloids interpreted as further evidence of marital strain, though insiders described it as a strategic move to reclaim her narrative.

Both Lively and Reynolds have faced career challenges amid the divided public opinion on the lawsuit, but sources say the ordeal has brought them closer rather than driven them apart. Reynolds has been described as a steadfast supporter throughout the process.

Longstanding Relationship Timeline

Lively and Reynolds first met on the set of “Green Lantern” in 2010 and began dating in 2011. They married in a private ceremony in 2012 at a plantation in South Carolina. Over more than 14 years together, they have navigated fame, four children, multiple joint projects and intense public interest with notable humor and privacy.

The couple has consistently presented a united front. Reynolds frequently praises Lively in interviews, and she has shared candid moments of their family life on social media. In March 2026, Lively posted about still taking “sneaky photos” of her husband after 14.5 years, writing “I have such a crush.”

Why Rumors Persist

Celebrity divorce speculation is common in Hollywood, especially during periods of high stress or when one partner faces controversy. The Baldoni lawsuit created a perfect storm for rumor mills, with every solo appearance or scheduling conflict interpreted as marital trouble. Tabloid outlets and social media accounts have amplified unverified claims, but close observers note the couple’s history of weathering storms together.

Astrologers and relationship experts invited to comment on podcasts have offered mixed opinions, with some warning of challenges for high-profile Scorpio-influenced pairings in 2026, yet none have cited concrete evidence of trouble.

Current Status and Future Outlook

As of May 2026, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds remain happily married with no signs of separation. They continue co-parenting, supporting each other’s careers and enjoying family time. Reynolds’ involvement with Wrexham AFC and Lively’s focus on personal projects and advocacy keep them busy, but sources say their bond is resilient.

The couple has four young children who remain their top priority. Insiders say any future decisions will center on what’s best for the family, and both stars have emphasized protecting their private life from public speculation.

For now, the persistent divorce rumors appear to be exactly that — rumors. Lively and Reynolds have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment through actions and words, turning speculation into another chapter in their well-documented ability to rise above Hollywood noise. As they move forward after the Baldoni settlement, the focus remains on family, careers and shared projects rather than any marital dissolution.

Fans and observers will likely continue watching for public sightings and social media posts, but the latest evidence points to a couple still very much together after nearly 15 years of marriage. In an industry where splits are common, Lively and Reynolds stand out as one of Hollywood’s more enduring partnerships.

Whether the rumor cycle quiets or reignites with the next headline, the couple’s track record suggests they will continue facing it side by side.

Asia is in the grip of a deepening plastics emergency as the Iran oil shock chokes off supplies of a critical petrochemical feedstock, sending packaging prices soaring and raising alarm across food, medical, and consumer goods industries from Indonesia to Japan.

Key takeaways

• Asia imports around 70% of its naphtha from the Middle East, and the Strait of Hormuz closure has nearly doubled prices, sending plastic resin costs up as much as 59% and threatening production shutdowns across the region.
• The shortage is hitting everyday goods and medical supplies simultaneously, with food packaging, beverage containers, and hospital plastics such as syringes and IV bags all affected across Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, and beyond.
• Governments have responded with emergency tariff suspensions and export bans on naphtha, while recycled plastic prices have quadrupled from $400 to $1,600 per ton as manufacturers scramble for alternatives.

At the heart of the crisis is naphtha, a petroleum derivative and essential building block for the polymers that underpin virtually all modern plastic packaging.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February has dramatically curtailed the region’s access to that raw material.

The price of naphtha in Asia has nearly doubled since the conflict began, while prices for plastic resins have climbed as much as 59% to record highs.

On the ground in Jakarta, the crisis is already palpable. At Toko Durga Plastik, a packaging retailer in the Indonesian capital, daily sales have fallen by almost half over the past month.

A sign at the entrance warns customers of “skyrocketing” prices. “Sourcing supplies is impossible because the stock is limited,” said Arif, a worker at the shop. Indonesia imports virtually all of its naphtha, the overwhelming majority of which previously arrived from the Middle East. Suppliers have warned plastics producers they may have to suspend operations entirely.

From Food Stalls to Hospital Wards

The disruption is not confined to Indonesia. Asia imports around 70% of its naphtha from the Middle East, and the shockwaves are being felt across the region.

In Japan, fears are mounting that patients with chronic kidney failure will struggle to access the plastic medical tubes used in hemodialysis. In South Korea, health regulators launched a nationwide probe into hoarding of syringes, needles and gloves, and Seoul imposed an export ban on naphtha to protect domestic supply.

Taiwan saw plastic goods prices surge as much as 40%, while Malaysia’s Farm Fresh dairy brand said a shortage of PET resin caused its milk cartons to vanish from supermarket shelves. In India, prices for plastic bottle caps have quadrupled since the war started.

“This spills into everything very, very quickly: beer, noodles, chips, toys, cosmetics,” said Dan Martin, co-head of business intelligence at advisory firm Dezan Shira and Associates.

Experts warn the burden will fall hardest on smaller enterprises. “Large firms typically have access to tools such as hedging, long-term contracts, and inventory buffers. Most smaller manufacturers do not,” said Chen Ping-Kuo, a professor of industrial engineering at Japan’s Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. He cautioned that the disruption will “move quickly through supply chains,” given Asia’s deep dependence on plastic across virtually every industry.

No Easy Exit

Governments across the region are responding with emergency tariff suspensions and efforts to diversify supply sources. At the same time, manufacturers of paper, bamboo and recycled packaging are reporting unexpected windfalls as companies scramble for alternatives. The price of recycled plastics has jumped from around $400 per ton before the crisis to $1,600 per ton today.

The IMF has warned that for affected economies, “all roads lead to higher prices and slower growth.” With no resolution to the Strait of Hormuz closure in sight, analysts warn the worst may be yet to come.

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