ColorTyme

Founded: 1979 Franchising since: 1982
In the late 1970s, electronics manufacturer Curtis Mathis Co. established ColorTyme as a distributor for its line of televisions. Willie Talley purchased the company in 1981 and began franchising the concept the following year. ColorTyme stores offer a complete line of home electronics, appliances and furnishings. All products are sold "rent-to-own," with customers making weekly or monthly payments on their purchase.

ColorTyme is owned by Rent-A-Center Inc.

5501 Headquarters Dr. Plano, Texas 75024

Phone: (972)403-4905

Franchisor is a publicly-held company with 20 employee(s); 1 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	203	0	0	0
2008	214	0	0	0
2007	214	0	0	0
2006	284	0	0	0
2005	--	--	--	--

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

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies

Special Programs
ColorTyme supports Kids Across America, a camp for inner-city children.

Total investment: $402K-627K Franchise fee: $7.5K-25K

Ongoing royalty fee: 5% Term of agreement: 5-10 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	Yes	Yes
Startup Costs	Yes	Yes
Equipment	Yes	Yes
Inventory	Yes	Yes
Accounts Receivable	Yes	Yes
Payroll	Yes	Yes

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $350K
Cash liquidity requirement: $120K-160K
Business Experience:

• Industry experience
• General business experience
• Marketing skills

Operations

• 85% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (75% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 2 weeks
• At franchisee's location: 2-4 weeks

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks

Other marketing support

• Direct mail, local radio and TV commercials, POS

Franchise 500® rank:
#298 (2009);