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Legends and Trends: A review of March 2026
The RTO Show Podcast Newsletter★ PRESENTING SPONSOR ★ BlueBox Digital "Quality video and commercial production that sets your brand apart from the rest."
A note from the hostWelcome to the RTO Show News Network. This is a work in progress so join me in this journey as we talk RTO, and keep everything completely open and on the table. RTO Thought's: How long does it take someone to really get the RTO transaction and be able to sell it? A week, a month, a quarter? What do you think? Send me your thoughts. The RTO Show Past Month's Podcast Episode'sLegend Series podcast releases: The legends tell their unique story of start-ups, legal battles, growth, and failures over a 40+ year career in the RTO industry. Current leaders and future entrepreneur take note. 3/31/2026 - RTO Legend: John Cleek Jr on "Tiger" John Cleek of Cleek's Home Furnishings 3/24/2026 - RTO Legend:Mike Tissot on Darrell Tissot of Rent 2 Own 3/17/2026 - RTO Legend: Mike STrong of Mike's Rent to Own 3/10/2026 - RTO Legend: Gary Ferriman of Showplace Rent to Own 3/3/2023 - RTO Legend: Trooper Earle of Premier Rental - Purchase Regularly scheduled podcasts: 3/2/2026 - Clover: Certified Refurbished Inventory for Rent to Own Summary: We discuss with Clover if certified Refurbished product is good for RTO. 3/30/2026 - Relationships, Reinvention, and RTO with Kevin Silvers Summary: How reinventing yourself frequently can change your trajectory and repurpose your career. Behind the Scenes in March 2026Had a amazing time with the wonderful people at APRO, BlueBox Digital, and EssTwo Creative creating content for RTO advocacy. Video's and more to come! RTO Industry: What we're reading over hereArticle: Majik Rent to own opens a 14th location! - Growth in 2026! LinkedIn - 3/2026 Article: RNR Tire Express Launches DX3 Brands as New Multi-Brand Franchisor - Adding a new lineup! PR Newswire - 3/2026 Yahoo finance - 2/2026 Buddy's Has a New Owner — and Big Plans to Match (Summary) One of the rent-to-own industry's most recognized names just turned a new page. Los Angeles-based private equity firm Skyline Investors has acquired Buddy's Home Furnishings, the third-largest rent-to-own franchisor in the U.S., with more than 220 locations across 18 states and Guam. Buddy's was previously owned by Franchise Group, the former parent of brands like Vitamin Shoppe and Pet Supplies Plus. For Buddy's franchisees, the message from the new owners is clear: help is on the way. Skyline sees the brand as underinvested in key areas like technology and data analytics, and plans to build the foundations needed to support the future of the brand. Skyline isn't new to rent-to-own either, having previously acquired Majik Rent-to-Own in June 2024 — so they know the space. With fresh capital and an operator-first mindset, this acquisition could signal a broader wave of private equity interest in the RTO sector. Article: Rent-to-Own Industry's National Standards Raised - APRO is making big moves! PR Newswire - 2/2026 APRO Just Made Compliance a Whole Lot Easier (Summary) Running an RTO business means juggling a different set of rules in every state — but that just got a lot simpler. APRO launched a 50-state model lease agreement library in February 2026, giving operators access to state-specific agreements built to meet today's laws and stand up to tomorrow's challenges. No more piecing together compliance on your own — members now have a defensible, ready-to-use foundation and direct access to legal counsel all in one place. The timing couldn't be better. As demand for flexible payment options continues to grow — especially among Millennials and Gen Z — the industry's credibility is more important than ever. This initiative, paired with APRO's rebranding to the Association of Professional Rental Organizations, sends a clear message: the RTO industry is serious about self-regulation, consumer trust, and long-term growth. 👉 Read the full announcement at rtohq.org Support the ShowIf this newsletter made you think, share it with someone else in the industry. Subscribe to this newsletter | Follow us on FaceBook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube
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The RTO Show Podcast
I'm a podcaster and professional in the RTO industry who loves to talk about marketing & branding, personal and professional development, and applicable industry technologies. Subscribe to The RTO Show Podcast newsletter.
★ PRESENTING SPONSORS ★ Premier Sponsor Assosiation of Professional Rental Organizations APRO elevates the rent-to-own industry through advocacy and education to better serve our members. Vendor Sponsor Wow Brands Designed specifically for the rent to own industry with ecommerce and lead generation strategies. Dealer Sponsor RNR Tire Express The best value on today’s top brand name tires and wheels. A Word from the Host: Tariffs Are Hitting Our Showrooms. Here Is What Dealers Need to Know. If...
★ PRESENTING SPONSOR ★ The Association of Professional Rental Organizations - APRO wowbrands | Digital Marketing Solutions | Stay ahead of the rest A note from the host The World Came to Our Doorstep, and It Reminded Me Why I Love This Industry The FIFA World Cup has landed in the USA, and you can feel it everywhere. The flags, the chants, the packed sports bars, the millions of visitors experiencing this country for the first time. Social media is flooded with reactions from fans around the...
★ PRESENTING SPONSOR ★ The Association of Professional Rental Organizations - APRO wowbrands | Digital Marketing Solutions | Stay ahead of the rest A word from the host As the rent-to-own industry expands, one question keeps surfacing in every conversation: how do we find new ways to serve our customers? AI sits at the center of it all — the boogeyman some say could change the course of history. But what if it's not something to fear? What if AI is the mirror that exposes our blind spots so...