RTO Online: This is the second time you have
stated during an earnings conference call that you claim the 'Number 2 spot' in
the industry. Is it accurate to include Franchise numbers in the calculation?
Ken Butler: How do you define number 2...the
investment community defines it in terms of revenues and profits. I think that
Rent Way needs to do the math and relinquish the number 2 spot. In terms of
storefront to storefront, I'll go against any Rent Way in the country. Do the
math...
RTO Online: What about customer count?
Ken Butler: I don't think there is any question
that more Rent to Own customers are served by Aaron Rents than Rent Way.
RTO Online: What about the difference in store
count?
Ken Butler: Rent Way needs to let go of the 'store
count thing', dispose of their bad stores and run the thing to profitability.
RTO Online: How does the Aaron Rents model
compare to Rent A Center?
Ken Butler: Rent A Center has a pretty simple
model, I tip my hat to them. They make money. They are very disciplined. We have
created a different niche. We have a different model and typically get the
better Rent to own customer.
RTO Online: When will Aaron Rents reach 1000
stores?
Ken Butler: Maybe sooner than you think. We are
going to get aggressive again. We have absorbed the Heilig Myers locations. We
haven't even begun to reap all the financial benefits from those locations.
