In his first full quarter as CEO, Dave Kreamer reports good news...Same Store Revenues Up 10.1%

Since resigning as Executive VP at Rent A Center in July to take over the top position at Bestway, Mr. Kraemer has implemented several key strategies in an effort to return to profitability.

• In FY 2002, the company sold or consolidated 14 stores
• Staffing was increased at underperforming stores
• Underperforming store hours increased from 5 days to 6 days per week
• Sharpened focus on merchandise mix and eliminated low margin product lines

Dave Kraemer
CEO
"We are particularly pleased that this significant same store revenue growth occurred during a time when we were intentionally eliminating a number of lower-margin and unprofitable product lines".

Bestway leads all Publicly held Rent to Own companies in stock performance year to date. Although thinly held, Bestway (BSTW) has increased in value by 81.25% since January 2002.

While still at a net loss, company executives see the refinement of the basic operating system paying big dividends in terms of future growth.

Dave Kraemer
CEO
"We are confident that our aggressive focus on increasing sales while at the same time identifying and managing key operating metrics will result in continued growth as well as a return to profitability."

Following is the press release issued by the company

The Company had revenues for the 3 months ended October 31, 2002 of $8,272,962. This compares to $8,450,505 for the same period of last year, a decrease of 2.1%. Net losses for the quarter increased to $236,690 compared to $191,882 for the same period in the previous year. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $(.14) compared to $(.11) for the first quarter of last year.

Same store revenues (revenues in stores operated for the entirety of both periods) during the first quarter of FY2003 increased $761,591, or 10.1% above the comparable quarter of 2002. This increase in same store revenues was off set by a revenue decrease of $939,134 due to the consolidation or sale of fourteen store locations during FY2002. The Company currently operates 69 stores compared to 83 during the first quarter of FY2002. The Company's increase in net losses occurred primarily as a result of investments in human resources. During the first quarter of FY2003 the Company increased the minimum number of personnel in under performing stores from three people to four and opened under performing stores six days per week compared to five days per week. As a result, salaries and wages increased approximately $400,000. These growth strategies along with continued refinement of merchandise mix will lead to improved gross margins.

"We are pleased to have achieved a 10.1% increase in same store revenues for our company, which I feel reflects the results of the growth initiatives we are implementing," commented David A. Kraemer, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are particularly pleased that this significant same store revenue growth occurred during a time when we were intentionally eliminating a number of lower-margin and unprofitable product lines," Kraemer continued, "and we are confident that our aggressive focus on increasing sales while at the same time identifying and managing key operating metrics will result in continued growth as well as a return to profitability. We believe that the growth potential for Bestway and the entire rent-to-own industry is significant."

Bestway, Inc. owns and operates a total of sixty-nine rent-to-own stores located in the southeastern United States. These stores generally offer high quality brand name merchandise such as home entertainment equipment, appliances, furniture and computers under flexible rental purchase agreements that generally allow the customer to obtain ownership of the merchandise at the conclusion of an agreed upon rental period.