★ PRESENTING SPONSOR ★

A note from the host:

This past season marked the end of something truly special — the conclusion of RTO Legends Series. What began as a desire to honor the giants of this industry became one of the most meaningful journeys of my life. To sit down with some of the most influential people in rent-to-own, to hear their stories, their struggles, and their triumphs — it was a privilege I will never take for granted. And to close the series with a tribute to the late and great Ernie Lewallen felt both fitting and emotional. Ernie embodied everything this series was built around — passion, integrity, and a love for this industry that was impossible not to feel. I am deeply grateful for every conversation, every lesson, and every moment that made RTO Legends Series what it was.

To everyone who listened, shared, and supported that series — thank you. You reminded me why I started this podcast in the first place. This industry is full of incredible people, and I feel blessed to have had a front-row seat to some of its greatest stories. RTO Legends Series may be complete, but the inspiration it gave me — and I hope gave you — will carry forward in everything we do on this show.

On another note, I recently had the honor of attending APRO's LegCon Conference — the Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. — for the third time, and it never gets old. There is something powerful about walking those halls, advocating for an industry you believe in, and standing alongside some of the most passionate, driven people in RTO. If you have never been, I want to strongly encourage you to make it a priority. It is more than a conference — it is a reminder that our industry has a voice, and that voice matters. Go, advocate, connect, and be inspired. You won’t regret it.

Send me your thoughts: Pete@theRTOshowPodcast.com

April's Podcast Episode's

Legend 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 entrepreneurs take note.

4/14/2026 - RTO Legend: A Tribute to Ernie Lewallen​

4/07/2026 - RTO Legend: David P. David of American rental

Regularly scheduled podcasts:

4/27/2026 - LegCon 2026: Why RTO Advocay Matters More Than Ever​

Summary: Pete Shau sits down with Amberlee Maya and Charles Smitherman to recap LegCon 2026 — APRO's annual legislative conference in Washington, D.C. The three reflect on the energy of this year's event, the growing number of first-time attendees, and why showing up to advocate for the rent-to-own industry has never been more important. From building meaningful relationships with lawmakers and their staffers, to the power of telling the RTO story with one unified voice — this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the future of this industry.

4/20/2026 - How RNR Tire Express Builds Better Shops Through Training, Service, and Leadership​

Summary: Jason Shuey from RNR Tire Express joins Pete to talk about what separates a forgettable tire shop from one that earns loyal customers for life. From his roots at Sears Auto Center to leading operations across multiple locations, Jason breaks down how RNR builds a culture rooted in training, hands-on coaching, and genuine customer care. They cover the service manager role, the MIT leadership program, ASE certification, and tools like Shopmonkey that keep high-volume shops running smoothly — without sacrificing safety or quality. If you lead a shop or care about the future of RTO automotive, this one's for you.

APRO's Legislative Conference or LegCon in Washington, DC on April 15-17

Walking the halls of Capitol Hill with Legends and colleagues alike to take the story of the RTO Industry directly to the Senators and House Representatives is always a time I will cherish. Also, Philomena's restaurant in DC was the best!

RTO Industries news and Highlights:

RNR Tire Express Expands Beyond Tires with New Franchise Venture:

RNR Tire Express CEO Adam Sutton has launched a new umbrella company, DX3 Brands, built to help other businesses grow through franchising — and its first partner is about as far from tires as you can get.

Gigglewaters, a 1920s speakeasy-themed restaurant in Safety Harbor, Florida, has joined forces with DX3 Brands to expand across the U.S. The concept features elevated comfort food, creative cocktails, and a unique Cinema Supper Series where guests are served themed dishes in sync with a film screening.

Sutton said the partnership came down to cultural alignment — both brands share a focus on customer experience and community. RNR currently operates more than 200 locations across 30 states and is preparing to open its first international location near Toronto. DX3 Brands is a growth strategy, not a pivot — RNR remains the flagship.

Read the full article on Franchise Times.

Amazon Teams Up with Rent-A-Center for Pickups and Returns

Big news for the rent-to-own industry. Upbound Group announced a new agreement between its Rent-A-Center business and Amazon, enabling customers to pick up Amazon orders and drop off returns — label-free and box-free — at more than 1,700 Rent-A-Center locations across the continental U.S. The service is expected to launch by June 2026.

Upbound CEO Fahmi Karam called it one of Amazon's largest U.S. retail collaborations for pickups and returns. For Rent-A-Center, the play is clear — increased foot traffic, greater brand visibility, and a shot at reaching new customers who may not have walked through their doors otherwise.

For the RTO industry, this is a notable signal: physical store footprints are still a competitive advantage in an e-commerce world, and big players like Amazon are taking notice.

Read the full story at GuruFocus.

-Other Interesting RTO industry news stories-

• Aaron's (PRG) Projected to Post increased company earnings! Full Article on MarketBeat​

• APRO's LEAP Session: No More Ice Cream Sandwiches – Employee Recognition Strategies Webinar Recap at RTOHQ.org​

• Mobile Phone Rental Market Size Accelerating at 18.7% reports show | Key businesses include: Grover, Rent-A-Center, FlexShopper, Aaron's, Rentomojo, Lumoid and more! - Read the trending report at OpenPR.com​

*FlyWheelRTO is keeping things cool this summer — whether you're talking air conditioning or the NEW ABS Advanced BattleStations desktop gaming computer lineup, they've got something exciting in the pipeline. Stay tuned for a big announcement coming soon. In the meantime, check them out at Amptab and reach out to Keith Brock directly at Keith@flywheelrto.com to learn more about what FlyWheelRTO can do for your business.

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