A note from the host

The rent-to-own industry has always been built on relationships — with our customers, our communities, and each other. But as I look around at everything happening in the world right now, I can't help but ask: what are we doing differently than we were ten years ago? The landscape has shifted. Customers have changed. Technology has changed. The way people shop, connect, and make decisions has changed. So the real question is — have we changed with it?

This is the moment for our industry to stop playing it safe and start standing out. Not just from the competition down the street, but from the version of ourselves we were a decade ago. The RTO companies, communities, and customers we serve deserve an industry that is constantly evolving, constantly improving, and constantly asking the hard questions. The ones willing to do that — the ones willing to be genuinely different — are the ones who will define what rent-to-own looks like for the next generation.

Latest podcast interviews and insights:

May 4, 2026 - "How Lauren Talicska tackled APRO's legcon 2026 for the Rent to Own industry"

In this episode of The RTO Show Podcast, host Pete Shau sits down with Lauren Talicska, VP of Marketing and Communications at Arona, to discuss her first-ever experience at APRO's LegCon 2026 in Washington, D.C. Lauren, who attended as a fellow, joined an Iowa/Nebraska group that included Arona's Mark Connolly and attorney Brian Melhouse, where they met with congressional offices to advocate for the rent-to-own industry — with Lauren drawing on customer Google reviews to illustrate the real-life impact RTO has on people with limited credit options. She came away from the experience with a deeper appreciation for the industry's value and a strong endorsement of the fellowship program, urging anyone on the fence to attend LegCon, saying it transformed her understanding of why legislative advocacy matters for the RTO community. - Plus a run in with Ted Cruz?!

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May 11, 2024 - "AMPTAB’s Role in the Future of Rent-to-Own Buying"

Pete sits down with Michael Costa of AMP Tablet Solutions (AmTab) to break down how the platform works and why it matters for RTO dealers. AMP started about 14 years ago by digitizing the paper-catalog sales process for the home furnishings industry — and eventually expanded into RTO, with Rent One and Countryside as early key partners.

For RTO dealers, the main product is AMP Shop — a single login that replaces 20+ vendor websites, giving dealers access to curated catalogs with built-in order approval workflows, store budget tracking, and inventory visibility. The in-store AMP Avenue kiosk lets associates (or customers) browse products on a touchscreen with pricing hidden or adjusted to retail markup.

So what's new on the horizon? Find out!

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TRIB Group: Member Retreat May 2026

May 3-7, 2026 - The TRIB Group took its annual member retreat to the southernmost point of the United States, gathering at the iconic Southernmost Beach Resort in Key West, Florida. For a few sun-soaked days, some of the most influential names in the rent-to-own industry traded spreadsheets for shorelines — swapping the fast pace of the RTO world for salt air, stunning views, and the kind of relaxed, meaningful conversations that only happen when you step away from the day-to-day grind.

Members and their spouses came together not for formal sessions or business agendas, but for something arguably more valuable — genuine connection. In an industry built on relationships, there's no better setting than a beachside paradise to deepen the bonds that make the TRIB Group one of the most tightly knit communities in rent-to-own. Whether poolside or at the water's edge, the networking flowed as naturally as the ocean breeze.

RTO Industry: What we're reading over here

• Upbound delivered steady Q1 growth, stronger cash flow, and reaffirmed 2026 guidance.

Article Review: Upbound Group — the parent company of Rent-A-Center and Acima — kicked off 2026 on solid footing, reporting first quarter revenue of $1.22 billion, a 3.7% increase over the same period last year. Net earnings climbed to $35.8 million, up from $24.8 million a year ago, signaling that the company's diversified business model continues to deliver results even in a challenging economic environment for non-prime consumers.

On the Rent-A-Center side, same-store sales grew 0.4% year-over-year — modest, but a positive sign for a segment that has been navigating headwinds. Acima, the company's virtual lease-to-own platform, saw revenue rise 1.8% to $648.7 million, while also improving its lease charge-off rate — meaning fewer customers are walking away from their agreements. The standout performer, however, was Brigit, Upbound's financial wellness subscription brand, which posted revenue growth of more than 40% and now serves over 1.5 million paying users. Cash flow was a particular highlight, with operating cash flow surpassing $170 million for the quarter.

Upbound reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, projecting between $4.70 and $4.95 billion in annual revenue — a signal that leadership remains confident in the road ahead despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

Full story at StockTitan.net - 5/2026

• Working Beyond Academia: What I Learned During My APRO Fellowship

Coming in with little prior knowledge of the rent-to-own industry, her perspective shifted as she engaged more deeply with APRO's work, particularly through its archives and consumer-facing content, where she heard directly from customers who described RTO as a source of stability during difficult times.

Article at RTOHQ.org - 5/2026

• President and CEO Steve Michaels Named Chairman of PROG Holdings, Inc.

PROG Holdings — the fintech parent company of Progressive Leasing, Four Technologies, MoneyApp, and Purchasing Power — announced that its Board of Directors has named President and CEO Steve Michaels to the additional role of Chairman of the Board. Michaels succeeds Ray Robinson, who transitions to the role of Lead Independent Director. Stock Titan

The move comes on the heels of a strong Q1 2026, with PROG reporting earnings per share of $1.24, well ahead of analyst expectations, and revenue of $742.7 million. PRG shares have surged 34% over the past six months. For the RTO world, this is a notable leadership consolidation at one of the industry's most influential lease-to-own platforms — Progressive Leasing operates in thousands of retail locations and is a direct touchpoint for many of the customers the broader RTO community serves.

Article at Businesswire.com - 5/2026

Annual Meetings

SKC Enterprises Inc. dba Rent One, recently held its annual meeting in Ft lauterdale, FL.

Missouri-based Rent One (SKC Enterprises Inc.) broke tradition by holding its annual meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — the first time the gathering has ever taken place outside of St. Louis. The company also overhauled the format, condensing formal training to a single focused day and replacing conventional sessions with interactive experiences like a hands-on content lab where employees practiced being on camera, and a high-energy sales competition where teams pitched quirky products like a flamingo paddle boat excursion. Beyond the learning sessions, attendees enjoyed poolside lunches, a hat-making and cigar-rolling station, a water taxi ride to Margaritaville, and a Caribbean cruise reward for top performers — all designed, as COO Kelly Martin put it, to make the event feel less like a traditional conference and more like a shared experience where learning, recognition, and relationships played equal roles.

Source RTOHQ.org

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2026 Florida Rental Dealers Association (FRDA) Annual Meeting

The Florida Rental Dealers Association (FRDA) brought together some of Florida's finest rent-to-own professionals for its 2026 Annual Meeting, held May 11-12 at the beautiful Hotel Haya in Tampa, Florida. What unfolded over those two days was exactly what the RTO industry does best — dealers, vendors, and industry colleagues coming together to connect, share ideas, and move the needle forward.

Attendees were welcomed with a lively Welcome Reception that set the tone for the entire event — warm, energetic, and full of the kind of genuine camaraderie that the RTO community is known for. The Annual Business Meeting gave members a chance to address the issues that matter most to Florida dealers, while the Vendor Fair and presentations opened the door to fresh ideas, new partnerships, and a closer look at what's available to help operators grow their businesses. Add in a great lunch and no shortage of social opportunities, and the 2026 FRDA Annual Meeting proved once again that when this industry gets in the same room, great things happen. May 11-12, 2026.