For some time, I’ve entertained the idea of opening my own ColorTyme store, now my family and I have reached the point where we’re ready to take that step.
Pat Sumner, Director of Franchise Development, ColorTyme

After 26 years in the rent-to-own industry and 16 years of service to ColorTyme, Pat Sumner will transition from his role as ColorTyme’s director of franchise development to become a ColorTyme franchisee.

After 26 years in the rent-to-own industry and 16 years of service to ColorTyme, Pat Sumner will transition from his role as ColorTyme’s director of franchise development to become a ColorTyme franchisee. Sumner has announced he will leave his current position to open his own ColorTyme store in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area this fall.

A ColorTyme spokesperson said a search is underway for Sumner's replacement.

“Once rent-to-own is in you, it stays in you. I’ve enjoyed a gratifying career with ColorTyme corporate and being able to work with franchisees and watch them be successful within the system,” said Mr. Sumner. “For some time, I’ve entertained the idea of opening my own ColorTyme store, now my family and I have reached the point where we’re ready to take that step. I want to thank everyone I have worked with through the years that has made this opportunity available to me.”

Sumner’s accomplishments during his tenure with ColorTyme were instrumental in moving the company’s growth initiatives forward. Sumner participated in approximately 300 new store openings involving as many as 100 new franchisees. He helped establish inventory and capital lending programs through Suntrust Bank, Texas Capital Bank and Wells Fargo Bank that enabled the company to considerably expand the financing options available to potential franchisees. Sumner spearheaded the effort to incorporate ColorTyme’s capital loan program into the inventory financing program, allowing the company to bring in qualified rent to own operators who otherwise would not have had all of the required capital needed to open their own store.

“We feel extraordinarily fortunate to have had Mr. Sumner lead our franchise development efforts,” ColorTyme President and CEO Bob Bloom said. “His work has elevated our business and though we’re going to miss him at the corporate level, we are thrilled that he will stay on with us a franchisee.”

After spending 9 years with Curtis Mathes Home Entertainment, Sumner then spent one year with Transamerica Rental Finance as a regional manager, Sumner joined ColorTyme in 1991 as a field operations manager for the central and west regions. In 1994, he was promoted to manager of finance and in 1997 he was named director of franchise development.

“Pat Sumner is one of a handful of people whom I have met through my 25 years in business that you can rely on his word as he says it,” said ColorTyme franchisee, Tom Smith. “He was very instrumental and creative in finding ways to ensure the financing I needed to get my business started. I believe that it was not as much because of my financial stability as it was because of Pat’s belief in me as an operator. For that, I am appreciative. It's always nice to know that there are still people out there who tend to look at the individual more than they do the ‘paper’. Pat did that for me.”

ColorTyme, Inc. is the oldest franchised rent-to-own or rental purchase company in the United States with approximately 206 traditional rent to own stores, one pay day loan store and seven custom wheel and tire stores for a total of 214 stores.