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 we can finally course-correct? Could virtual RTO be the next frontier? From the moment a customer realizes they need a new living room set to the final handshake at delivery, there's an opportunity to use AI to streamline, personalize, and elevate every step of the journey.

In my latest post, I dive into the ways I believe RTO can harness AI in our everyday workflow — not to replace the people who make this industry great, but to push past what we've always been and build the next generation of rent-to-own. The dealers who figure this out first won't just keep up; they'll set the pace.

Join me on The RTO Show Podcast Blog and let's explore it together.

Latest Podcast Episode's

Fix Customer Service Before It Costs You

Vance Morris — Disney veteran, Chef Mickey's design team alum, and customer experience expert — to break down how the Disney playbook applies to RTO. Vance covers building simple SOPs that scale, "good show, bad show" walkthroughs, and stealing your best ideas from outside the industry (think Chick-fil-A, not the competitor down the street). Plus: how to decouple price from experience, why retention marketing beats chasing new customers, and his free gift for listeners at wow52ways.com. Don't miss this one.

Season 8 - Episode 4

Watch

Listen

Why RTO Still Wins Today

Jerry Marshall — Buddy's franchisee, Kappa Investments owner, and APRO board member — to talk 27 years in RTO, growing from two stores to seven, and why investing in people still wins.

Jerry shares hard-earned lessons on cash flow ("play with the bank's money, not yours"), avoiding "owneritis" by getting back behind the counter, and where the industry heads next: consolidation, wider footprints, and a hybrid virtual future. Don't miss this one.

Season 8 - Episode 5

Watch

Listen

Industry Events

MRDA Heartland Show Wraps at the Lake —

The Missouri Rental Dealers Association (MRDA) held its annual Heartland of America Regional Trade Show June 9–11 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, MO. The regional gathering packed in the memorial bass tournament, the Mark Windsor golf tournament, a full Vendor Showcase, and a keynote on local search and Google reviews — with dealers from eight-plus states and over $1 million in show-floor sales typically changing hands. Learn more

Hometown Rent to Own from PA to FL

Jeff Smith, co-owner of New York's Hometown Rent To Own, and his wife Naomi (Hometown's office manager) are chasing a bucket-list goal every RTO dealer can appreciate: catching games in person at all 30 MLB ballparks. They've checked off 11 so far, from Wrigley Field to Camden Yards, with PNC Park's skyline views ranking as a favorite and Fenway next on the wish list. We got to play a small part in the journey, too — when the Hometown management team paid the RNR Tire Express corporate office a visit here in Tampa, we had to return the favor by taking them to see the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in action. As usual, the Rays — and the fun — did not disappoint! After busy seasons on the sales floor, the Smith's prove there's life outside the store, and APRO gave the team a well-deserved spotlight for it.

Full article at RTOHQ.org - June 9th, 2026

RTO Industry: What we're reading over here

Upbound Group Declares Q3 2026 Quarterly Dividend of $0.39

Upbound Group (parent of Rent-A-Center, Acima, and Brigit) announced a $0.39 per share quarterly dividend for Q3 2026. Steady payouts from the industry's largest public RTO player are a quiet but solid signal that lease-to-own demand and cash flow remain healthy.

Street Insider - June 6th, 2026