Garner envisions two types of Rent N' Rides, stand-alone car lots and co-branded locations - a Rent N' Ride kiosk inside a traditional rent to own store or custom wheel rental store.

Mike Garner, President, Rent N' Ride.

The consensus among rent to own dealers at the recent Premier Companies convention was Rent N' Ride represents industry growth potential not see since the 1980s. John Darden, a 25 year RTO Industry veteran told RTO Online that Rent to Own cars can do for the rental industry today what furniture did 20 years ago.

In operation since 1998, SEADRA, the Southeast Automobile Dealers Rental Association, has an existing network of 400 used car dealers nationwide. Association president Mike Garner met Premier Companies CEO Trooper Earle at the RentDirect Primetime! buying show in 2007. "We decided partnering was a better idea than competing," said Garner. The two companies formed Rent N' Ride, a rent to own car franchise that according to Garner, removes the two biggest barriers to entry - fleet financing and liability insurance.

SEADRA announced a $300 million floor planning program for RTO dealers in 2007. Garner says Rent N' Ride is prepared to finance start up inventory for rental dealers who are ready to parlay their rental skills in a new category.

Garner envisions two types of Rent N' Rides, stand-alone car lots and co-branded locations - a Rent N' Ride kiosk inside a traditional rent to own store or custom wheel rental store. "Custom Wheels and RTO cars are the perfect marriage," said Garner.

Garner hinted that, by the next convention, there would be a Premier Wheel Workz / Rent N' Ride location operating in New Orleans.

Watch RTO Online's video podcast interview with Mike Garner here.