Skip To Navigation Skip To Content Skip To Footer false

Values & History

Our Values

At RAC our mission is to Improve the quality of life for our customers and coworkers. These are our core values:
Have a winning spirit– We work hard and are self-motivated to exceed expectations.

Act with a servant’s heart– We have a passion for making good things happen for all.

Treat others how we want to be treated– We treat one another with respect, humility and consideration.

Our History

  • 1960

    Ernie Talley, owner of a retail company in Wichita, Kansas, saw hardworking customers who couldn't purchase goods for their families either because they didn't have the cash, or because they were turned down for credit. This gave him an idea to rent used merchandise with an option to own.

  • 1960

    Ernie Talley opened the first rent-to-own store, Mr. T's TV Rental in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

  • 1973

    Thomas Devlin, a former employee of Mr. T's TV Rental, and W. Frank Barton founded the Rent-A-Center brand in Wichita, Kansas.

  • 1986

    Mark Speese, a former employee of Rent-A-Center, started Vista Rent-To-Own with two partners, operating stores primarily in Puerto Rico and New Jersey.

  • 1989

    Ernie Talley acquired a controlling interest in Vista Rent-To-Own.

  • 1993

    Vista Rent-To-Own changed its name to Renters Choice, Inc.

  • 1995

    Renters Choice went public on the NASDAQ stock market under the symbol "RCII."

  • 1996

    Renters Choice acquired ColorTyme, a franchisor of rent-to-own stores.

  • 1998

    Renters Choice acquired Thorn Americas, Inc., which operated under the name "Rent-A-Center" and began operating all its stores under the Rent-A-Center brand name.

  • 2002

    Rent-A-Center transferred all Wisconsin store operations to a newly founded subsidiary, Get It Now!, which generates installment credit sales through a retail transaction.

  • 2004

    Rent-A-Center acquired Rainbow Rentals, Inc. and Rent Rite, Inc.

  • 2005

    The first Acceptance Now kiosk opened in an Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Orlando, Florida.

  • 2006

    Rent-A-Center acquired RentWay.

  • 2008

    The first Home Choice store opened in Rockford, Illinois.

  • 2010

    Rent-A-Center enters Mexico with a store opening in Reynosa.

  • 2013

    Rent-A-Center Franchising International, Inc. was formed.

  • 2018

    Mitch Fadel became Chief Executive Officer of Rent-A-Center.

Read More

Read Less

Contact Us

Questions or Comments?

Send us a message or give us a call. Our customer service team will be happy to help!