Edwards is one of several franchisees who to capitalize on ColorTyme's offer of $1,000 credit towards the initial franchise fee for each year of experience in the RTO industry, up to $10,000.

Eddie Edwards became a ColorTyme franchisee in 2004 after just five years in the rent-to-own (RTO) industry. One year later he was named ColorTyme’s 2005 New Franchisee of the Year. ColorTyme will hold it's annual summer convention in July, 2006 in Memphis Tennessee. RTO Online will provide live daily coverage of the event. See a photo gallery of the 2005  ColorTyme 2005 Summer Convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Eddie Edwards is a living example of the rewards and successes that come from hard work and dedication. The Virginia native became a ColorTyme franchisee in 2004, after just five years in the rent-to-own (RTO) industry. One year later he was named ColorTyme’s 2005 New Franchisee of the Year and today, Edwards has two rapidly growing stores with plans to open three more in the next several years.

“Seeing how far both my business and I personally have come in the last two years is amazing,” Edwards said. “I wouldn't have wanted to do it any other way and I am fortunate to be a ColorTyme franchisee. Because of my hard work, I’m rewarded with loyal customers and a growing business.”

Originally from the East Coast, Edwards worked in the food service industry until he joined Rent-A-Center in 1998. After three years in California with Rent-A-Center, he wanted to move closer to his family. He chose ColorTyme in part because the transition from Rent-A-Center to ColorTyme was made so simple by both companies.

Edwards opened his first ColorTyme store in Woodbridge, Va. in January 2004 and a second store in Alexandria, Va. two years later. In those two years, he saw his store sales continued to climb. Edwards attributes his success to primarily to customer service. He and his managers, Robert Sandoval at the Woodbridge store and John Kelly at the Alexandria store, work constantly to stay on a first name basis with customers.

“This store has been a home run out of the gate because we have combined industry expertise, site selection strategy and support from ColorTyme with customer service extras like special orders and warranties,” said Edwards. “It’s clear to me that I made a good decision when I decided to become a ColorTyme franchisee.”

Edwards is one of several franchisees who also capitalized on the financing support offered by ColorTyme to get where he wanted to be. The company offers a $1,000 credit towards the initial franchise fee for each year of experience a hopeful franchisee has in the RTO industry, up to $10,000. ColorTyme also has a partnership program that gives those with more sweat equity than capitol the opportunity to own their own ColorTyme store. With an investment of $20,000, RTO professionals can partner with investors and own 51 percent of their own store.

ColorTyme, Inc. is the oldest franchised rent-to-own or rental purchase company in the United States with nearly 300 stores.