Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership

Founded: 1955 Franchising since: 1992
Aaron's Rents offers furnishings such as big screen televisions, couches and refrigerators for rental or purchase at its stores across the United States. R. Charles Loudermilk Sr. began the business in 1955, renting folding chairs he had purchased from an army surplus store for 10 cents a day. Today the company rents items for a few days or weeks, or sells items on 12- to 18-month terms.

Aaron's Rents began franchising in 1992. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ.

309 E. Paces Ferry Rd. Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2377

Phone: (678)402-3778 Franchisee Association Aarons Franchise Association

Franchisor is a publicly-held company with 0 employee(s); 35 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	520	20	0	1105
2008	499	11	0	1,023
2007	441	7	0	828
2006	403	6	0	763
2005	371	5	0	748

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Canada

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 8,500 households with income less than $50K within 3 miles

Special Programs
Under the companyÂ’s ACORP program, AaronÂ’s locations donate funds to local and national charities and organizations. AaronÂ’s also supports Habitat for Humanity and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Total investment: $233.7K-602.98K Franchise fee: $15K-50K

Ongoing royalty fee: 6% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	No
Equipment	No	No
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Third-party financing source(s): SunTrust Bank

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $450K
Cash liquidity requirement: $300K
Business Experience:

• General business experience

Operations

• 90% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 6
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (30% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 3 days
• At franchisee's location: less than 30 days
• At regional locations : 1 week

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• National media
• Regional advertising

Other marketing support

• NASCAR sponsor

Franchise 500® rank:
#52 (2009); #58 (2008); #49 (2007); #55 (2006); #52 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2006; 2005;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#49 (2009); #60 (2006); #64 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#46 (2009); #57 (2008); #50 (2007); #51 (2006); #47 (2005);