Values & History

Our Values
Our History
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1960
Ernie Talley, owner of a retail company in Wichita, Kansas, saw hardworking customers who couldn't purchase goods for their families either because they didn't have the cash, or because they were turned down for credit. This gave him an idea to rent used merchandise with an option to own.
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1960
Ernie Talley opened the first rent-to-own store, Mr. T's TV Rental in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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1973
Thomas Devlin, a former employee of Mr. T's TV Rental, and W. Frank Barton founded the Rent-A-Center brand in Wichita, Kansas.
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1986
Mark Speese, a former employee of Rent-A-Center, started Vista Rent-To-Own with two partners, operating stores primarily in Puerto Rico and New Jersey.
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1989
Ernie Talley acquired a controlling interest in Vista Rent-To-Own.
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