Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels Launches Three New Digital Platforms

image004Fastest-Growing Tire & Wheel Franchise Revolutionizes Support & Customer Engagement through New Resource Center, Training University & Website

TAMPA, Fla. – At its recent Annual Convention, RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels (RNR), the fastest-growing tire and custom wheel franchise in the nation, unveiled three powerful new digital platforms to ensure the continued success of its franchise owners. The recently launched platforms will provide users with interactive tools and resources designed to increase lead generation, store traffic and quote assessments.

The first addition to RNR’s new lineup is the no-hassle Resource Center. Designed with convenience in mind, the user-friendly tool offers franchise owners one-stop, total-solution for franchise owners to make real-time changes and dynamically tailor local marketing materials, preview options and order the materials directly through the center’s digital provider. In collaboration with RNR’s new Resource Center, franchise owners can now easily access the brand’s digital Training University. Equipped with tracking and notification options, the new training platform offers an interactive experience for new franchise owners and new hires to review course information, take quizzes, and access a step-by-step guide outlying the grand opening process – increasing employee engagement and success.

The third and final upgrade to RNR’s digital platforms comes in the form of a newly designed, highly-interactive website. Customers now have the option to virtually customize their vehicle’s display and by choosing the year, make and model, visitors have the option to browse through thousands of tires and wheels which are generated through the site’s virtual gallery. In addition, the mobile-friendly platform offers an intuitive option to ‘click-to-quote’, which instantly connect customers to a local representative.

“RNR is thrilled to unveil our new support platforms in conjunction with our new and improved website – all of which we are extremely proud of,” said Larry Sutton, founder and president of RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels. “As RNR continues to grow, we continue to be committed to providing the essential guidance, support and innovative resources needed to ensure the success of each franchise location along with making our customer experience even better.”

Founded in 2000 by rent-to-own veteran Larry Sutton, RNR has since grown to almost 100 locations in 22 states. The brand has experienced significant organic growth with 16 franchisees operating 86 locations, and over the past 15 months, RNR has opened a new store every month. RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels has carved out a unique niche in the tire and wheel industry. With its convenient, no hassle payment plans that fit each client’s budget, RNR offers and professionally installs high quality tires and custom wheels to a growing underserved market. RNR has established a business model that allows clients to pay off name brand tires and wheels on a weekly or monthly plan that is affordable to them. The unique pay-as-you-go or lease purchase business model is not just attractive to consumers – franchisees of RNR have witnessed the demand of the service and are reinvesting in the brand to open more locations throughout the nation.

For more information about RNR and its franchise opportunities, visit www.RNRfranchise.com.  

About RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels is a national franchise retailer of quality tires and custom wheels offered with convenient, no credit hassle payment plans designed to fit each client’s unique budgets. Established in 2000 by rent-to-own veteran, Larry Sutton, RNR has grown to almost 100 locations in 22 states. The brand recently ranked as the No. 1 category leader for tires & wheels in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2017 Franchise 500 list and took home two spots on Tire Business’ 2015 Annual Report coming in at No. 15 for total revenue and No. 18 for total locations. RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels is seeking qualified multi-unit franchisees to expand even further nationally with prime markets available throughout the country. For more information about RNR, or to inquire about franchise opportunities, visit www.RNRfranchise.com.

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Mike Lewis

Mike Lewis is a Premier Rental Purchase franchisee with multiple stores and currently serves as Vice President of Operations. With 33 years of experience in the rent-to-own industry, he has spent the past 20 years working closely with franchisee owners and previously spent 12 years in Corporate RTO, gaining a strong foundation in the business.

For the past five years, Mike has been sharing his knowledge by teaching managers and franchisees at the company’s Training Center.

Outside of work, he enjoys time with his family, kids, and grandkids, and appreciates the simple things in life – especially riding his Harley Davidson with the sun on his face. If you know, you know!

Lauren Talicska

Arona Corporation dba Arona Home Essentials

Lauren Talicska is an experienced multi-channel marketing specialist and the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Arona Home Essentials. She has found her home in the RTO community, supporting stores in branding, growth, and increasing traffic.

You may recognize Lauren as a former RTO vendor, including her time as a partner for Nationwide RentDirect, or her previous participation in the APRO Vendor Advisory Committee. Lauren calls Columbus, Ohio, home and spends her workday crafting and executing marketing promotions from inception to realization, all while supporting the branding and social media needs of all the Arona stores in 12 states (plus Puerto Rico!).

Charles Smitherman

APRO

Charles Smitherman, JD, PhD, CAE, became CEO of APRO in 2023, bringing years of legal and executive experience in the rent-to-own industry. 

Prior to joining the association, Charles served as COO, General Counsel, and Vice President of PTS Financial Services, where he played an active role in the rent-to-own industry by representing his company through PTS’s club program offering with APRO member dealers. Charles is an attorney with two decades of experience across a wide variety of areas, including RTO, consumer financial services, antitrust, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, franchise law, and privacy law. Following law school at the University of Georgia, Charles earned a Master of Legal Studies and PhD in Law from the University of Oxford in England.

Charles is credentialed as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) with the American Society of Association Executives, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) with the International Franchise Association, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. As APRO’s sixth CEO in its 45-year history, he brings a collaborative, member-focused approach to association leadership, emphasizing transparency, advocacy, and value creation. Outside of work, Charles is an active ultra runner and open water swimmer.

Mike Kays

Ashley Furniture Industries

As VP of Rental Sales for Ashley Furniture Industries, Mike thrives on building relationships with our RTO industry veterans, and helping businesses grow through new product, new marketing, and new supply chain options.

Mike works to leverage a wide breadth of relationships and influence, intimate knowledge of market trends, and unique knowledge of what RTO dealers need from a supplier to be successful.

The saying goes that a high tide raises all boats, and our goal is to leverage the world’s largest furniture manufacturer to drive the continued growth of the RTO industry and all the suppliers.

Mike Tissot

Countryside Rentals Inc., dba Rent-2-Own

Mike grew up in the rent-to-own industry under the guidance of his father, former APRO President and RTO legend Darrell Tissot. For nearly 25 years, Mike’s innovative leadership has helped expand the family business to more than 40 stores across Ohio and Kentucky while also shaping the industry as a whole.

He has served as President of the Ohio Rental Dealers Association, an APRO board member and Treasurer, and President and Treasurer of the TRIB Group. His contributions have earned him the APRO President’s Award of Excellence and the title of APRO Rental Dealer of the Year.

Outside of RTO, Mike enjoys time at the lake house or in Orange Beach, Alabama, with his girlfriend, Angela Strong McCool. A passionate Cincinnati Reds fan, he rarely misses a game, whether watching or listening alongside his parents. He also takes every opportunity to visit Arizona, where his daughter is currently attending Arizona State University.