As the nation’s oldest franchisor of rent-to-own stores, ColorTyme, Inc. is in business to help our Franchisees succeed. 

That focus is the motivating force behind our extensive financing, training and marketing materials. It is the reason we have developed new revenue sources for traditional RTO stores in Pay Day Loans and Custom Wheels and Tires programs, and why we find business partners for RTO managers who need more capital to become franchisees.  It is the best way we know how to be ‘People Helping People.’  

Our Franchisees tell us we’re on the right track and we welcome you to read what they have to say about ColorTyme support and what it has meant for their businesses and for their families.

Bruce Emory, three stores in Atlanta area
Phone:  (678) 921-0200

In my 20 years in RTO, I have learned that finding the right company and people that believe in you is as important as your own determination and hard work.

My career in RTO started in 1986, by way of a temporary job when I just 20 years old.  Dedication to my work lead to quick success and opportunity.  But in 1992, when I approached my company to become a Franchisee, the door of opportunity closed – I wasn’t taken seriously. 

So I did it on my own, with the help of my family, and built a solid business over the next 10 years. For a time, we had eight stores but were limited financially – unable to carry the big ticket items my customers wanted.  In the summer of 2005, I decided to streamline the business down to our top three performing stores and in November of 2005, converted to ColorTyme. 

Now we have access to financial power and product pricing and ColorTyme’s training programs – which are some of the most intensive in the industry.  We have seen a dramatic turn in our stores and staff and can plan for significant growth which used to be beyond our reach.

Sales are up 5.3 percent and revenue is up more than 10 percent since the conversion. Equally as important, we have the continued, hands-on support from Bob Bloom, Pat Sumner and all the folks at ColorTyme who made the transition easy and the inventory available for our customers.

People, financing, product and training – four reasons I know I have found the right company – for myself, my family and my team.

Mike and Jill Houseworth, one store in Texas
Irving store:  (214) 492-2100

I knew very little about RTO when I started as a manager trainee for another ColorTyme Franchisee in 1982, but I did know that I wanted to find an industry with opportunity for advancement. It didn’t take long to recognize that RTO was a fun business full of opportunity with people who share ideas and recipes for success.

After just five years in the business, I was able to open my own ColorTyme franchise and live the American dream.

With ColorTyme, my passion and dedication have directly affected my level of success. I’m surrounded by people who have created their own destiny - going from manager trainees to franchise owners because of their work ethic and passion for this business.

We treat our customers with respect and focus on quality, high-end products that other chains don’t provide. We build relationships with our clients because at the end of the day, we want them to be proud to say they’re ColorTyme customers.

Tom Smith, three stores in Maryland and Pennsylvania
Phone:  (443) 414-3195

As a former multi-store RTO manager and now as a business owner I firmly believe “everything is about the customer”.  Our constant focus is extraordinary customer service that goes above and beyond what is expected. 

The same is true for ColorTyme.  In fact, I frequently hear the home office say “we are in business to help our Franchisees succeed” and they demonstrate that commitment every day through responsive and total support when I need it.

In two short years as a ColorTyme Franchisee I have built three of my own ColorTyme stores and fully intend to have 10 stores in the next five years. 

Why can I say that with such confidence?  Because I have the ability to run the store as I see fit but also draw on the support of an entire company through training, financing and marketing programs that give me a clear advantage over independent operators.  ColorTyme has purchasing down to a science which means we have better, higher-end products for our customers at lower prices – a perfect match for our ‘above and beyond’ approach to customer service.

Pat Hunt, six stores in Southern Georgia
Phone:  (229) 227-9495

Who would have thought that answering a classified ad for ColorTyme back in 1999 would enable me to become the owner of six ColorTyme stores in seven years?  But that’s exactly what happened.  I took that job and quickly learned that my interest in helping others was a great match for RTO. I soon opened my first independent RTO store in September 1995. I worked hard for four years and nurtured the Thomasville, Ga. store into a small but financially sound business.

By 1997, I was ready to expand.  But because most banks don’t understand the RTO industry, I was unable to secure financial backing to provide my customers with the high-end products they wanted like computers and big screen TVs. 

That’s when I decided to make a change. By converting to ColorTyme in 1999, I was able to get the financial and inventory support of a major corporation. I firmly believe ColorTyme has the best Franchisee support in our business for everything from inventory pricing to training programs without forcing Franchisees to deal with corporate bureaucracy. I still run my stores like a small town business, treating customers like family, and being an active part in the community.

In almost seven years with ColorTyme, I’ve opened five more stores. But what’s most important to me is that my customers feel good about saying hello to me around town. They know that we’re going to help good people through bad times and we’re in it for more than the money.

Steve Dami and Zach Routh, one store in High Point, North Carolina 
Phone:  (336) 431-4410

After decades in RTO, and reaching top performer status as Rent-A-Center district managers, we both wanted to take the next step in our careers. Business ownership felt like the right solution. We researched ColorTyme's franchising program, but Tony Doll and Dana Goble's move from RAC solidified our decision. ColorTyme was the way to go.

We decided to become business partners because the development areas we each chose were so close. Now, we've combined 26 years of RTO experience with our knowledge of the RAC and ColorTyme systems. It's just the right business model and ColorTyme offers its Franchisees a phenomenal deal.

Though we committed to three stores with ColorTyme, we've already planning for five. The combination of ColorTyme's major inventory buying power and the freedom they give Franchisees enables us to order the products our customers request, whether it's a lawn mower or an HDTV.

We are thrilled when we see a customer pay for a piece of merchandise they couldn't otherwise afford. That's why we're in this business. We want our customers to know that we trust and respect them. We want to know about their family and how we can help. Essentially we're passing along the benefits ColorTyme offers its Franchisees to our customers, and that's a great way to do business.