Childers will offer check cashing, free money orders, Western Union services, prepaid Visa and MasterCard, bill pay services, cell phone services and pre-paid long distance phone cards.

photo © rto online inc In June 2005, Mark Childers (above) and partner Gary Hughes capitalized on their success as franchisees and sold 27 ColorTyme locations across the Northwest U.S. to Rent-A-Center. After a short break, Childers is now re-entering the rent-to-own industry with his own franchise, opening three new stores.

With more than 20 years of experience in the rent-to-own industry, ColorTyme franchisee Mark Childers has earned his ‘veteran’ status. In June 2005, Childers and partner Gary Hughes capitalized on their success as franchisees and sold 27 ColorTyme locations across the Northwest U.S. to Rent-A-Center. After a short break, Childers is now re-entering the rent-to-own industry with his own franchise, opening three new stores: one each in Sunnyside, Wash., Fairbanks and Anchorage, Ala.

“All three of these communities have been underserved in the past by rent-to-own stores,” Childers said. “They are growing communities that deserve the same level of customer service that larger communities receive in new developments. We’re going to introduce customers to a whole new level of service.”

Childers’ career in the rent-to-own industry began when he took a summer job delivering furniture as a student at Texas A & M University in the early 1980s. While working for the College Station, Texas, ColorTyme franchisee, he discovered opportunities for rapid advancement and decided to turn rent-to-own (RTO) into a career. He made the move to ColorTyme’s corporate headquarters in 1989, becoming a regional training director. By 1992, Childers wanted to take advantage of ColorTyme’s franchising program and planned to open two stores in Montana. His future partner, Hughes, was also opening ColorTyme stores in the Northwest and approached Childers about working together.

The partnership worked – successfully opening a new store every 90 days for the last six years, and pioneering some of today’s rent-to-own industry standards such as in-store banking services. After selling the stores, Childers considered opening his own independent rent-to-own stores, but decided to stick with ColorTyme after meeting with ColorTyme President and CEO, Bob Bloom.

“The combination of business advice, financial planning, site selection assistance and national buying power that ColorTyme offers its franchisees was too much to pass up,” Childers said. “All of those advantages combined mean that my ColorTyme stores will dominate each market.”

Childers will continue to offer the same services in his new ColorTyme stores that made his first locations a success: check cashing, free money orders, Western Union services, prepaid Visa and MasterCard, bill pay services, cell phone services and pre-paid long distance phone cards.

Though customers in Sunnyside and Fairbanks aren’t yet familiar with ColorTyme or the unique variety of services that Childers offers his customers, Childers has tapped veterans from his earlier days with ColorTyme to partner in unique ownership agreements for all three stores. Phil Schmook will be Vice President of Operations and will oversee all day to day operations. In Sunnyside, Albert Vasquez brings 10 years RTO experience. In Anchorage and Fairbanks, Braden Hullinger will be in charge of daily operations for both stores.

“As an owner of my own business, I feel true ownership and devotion to my work,” Childers said. “I want my team to have the same opportunity – to experience the American dream.”

Childers’ wife Tracy was instrumental in the success of the company’s financial division. Going forward, she will maintain cutting edge technology for the group and work with state agencies on licensing and compliance issues. Sue Roberts, who was responsible for advertising in the sold stores, now has her own agency, Personal Marketing Solutions. Childers contracted Roberts to design and implement advertising for the new company.

“Our 27 stores achieved their level of success due to these and other folks - there’s no way we could have done it without them,” says Childers. “I am fortunate to be building a new company with such talented people.”

The Sunnyside and Fairbanks stores are scheduled to open in December and Anchorage is scheduled to follow in the first quarter of 2006. All three ColorTyme stores allow customers to rent and own high quality furniture, computers, digital electronics and home appliances without requiring a credit check, contract or incurring debt. Because many customers often need a new appliance in an emergency, most pieces are delivered on the same day and fixed or replaced immediately as well.

ColorTyme, Inc. is the oldest franchised rent-to-own or rental purchase company in the United States with 285 stores. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, ColorTyme offers customers the opportunity to own the things they want and need in a way they can afford, just as founder Willie Talley envisioned ColorTyme 25 years ago. The company got its start when Talley began selling Curtis Mathes color televisions and realized many of his customers couldn’t afford to buy a new TV in one payment. A new brand and concept was born. Now in its 25th year, the company has launched an aggressive franchise development plan and is on track to grow significantly in the next five years with many of its newest locations being developed by rent-to-own professionals.