In just the few months since we’ve converted to ColorTyme, business is thriving and our sales have shown significant improvement because of the additional inventory we can offer our customers,
Joe Huck, ColorTyme Franchisee

Joe Huck converted his independent rent-to-own (RTO) store to ColorTyme and became a franchisee with the benefits of wider inventory selection and inventory financing in October of 2005

After more than 20 years in the rent-to-own industry and three years as a business owner, Big House Rentals owner Joe Huck converted his independent rent-to-own (RTO) store to ColorTyme and became a franchisee with the benefits of wider inventory selection and inventory financing in October of 2005.

“In just the few months since we’ve converted to ColorTyme, business is thriving and our sales have shown significant improvement because of the additional inventory we can offer our customers,” Huck said. “Converting my store to ColorTyme allows me to stock the products my customers want, like computers, big screen TVs and custom furniture, and I have the financing support to expand my business.”

With the additional financing, Huck hopes to open two to three larger ColorTyme stores and is on track to open the first of those this year. Huck decided to become an RTO owner after years of watching profits from each of the stores he managed go to someone else’s pocketbook. He opened his first RTO store in 2002: Big House Rentals in Greenville, S.C. Tapping into his industry experience and proven work ethic, Huck made Big House Rentals a success after just three years. But soon his store was in a position of struggling success - having excellent sales and loyal customers, but not enough cash flow and financing to grow.

After researching his options, Huck decided to become a ColorTyme franchisee.

Huck liked the area his store was in already and had built a loyal customer base that was accustomed to the personal service at his store: every employee greets each customer, every customer receives a complimentary drink at the store and the walls of his store are covered with photos of his customers when they pay off a purchase. After researching his options, Huck decided to become a ColorTyme franchisee.

“The transition to ColorTyme has been so smooth, they’ve really made me feel like they wanted me and my team at Big House Rentals as a part of their organization,” Huck said. “Working with Pat Sumner during the conversion made me see that numbers aren’t the most important part of how ColorTyme runs its business. It’s about investing in people and building a relationship where both franchisees and ColorTyme benefit.”

ColorTyme, Inc. is the oldest franchised rent-to-own or rental purchase company in the United States with nearly 300 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 26 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. Last year, the company 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.