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RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels Drives Expansion with 29-Unit Franchise Deal

Recent Agreement will Debut Fast-Growing Brand in Nebraska and Iowa   Tampa Bay, Fla. (5/11/17) – Building on the momentum of last year’s 58-unit franchise agreement which steered brand development into Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Florida, RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels (RNR), the fastest-growing tire and custom wheel franchise in the nation, announced today a 29-unit agreement. This deal will break the brand into Nebraska and Iowa and further expand its presence throughout Kansas. The actual development of this agreement is already underway with two locations open and operating in Wichita and two more up and running in Hutchinson and Topeka, Kansas respectfully. These locations are the first of the 29-unit agreement to open and are owned by industry veterans, Geron Vail and Tim Daniel of Daniel Vail Investments, LLC. The business partners plan to bring an additional 9 locations to Kansas and 16 more locations between Nebraska and Iowa. “We look forward to bringing RNR’s affordable pay-as-you-go tires and custom wheels to the people of Nebraska and Iowa and continuing the brands growth throughout Kansas.” said Tim Daniel, Partner of Daniel Vail Investments, LLC. “This agreement is a representation of the commitment our team has to providing premium tires and custom wheels to a growing market.” This recent agreement validates the company’s organic growth as current franchisees continue to sign on for further expansion of the brand. This momentum has largely been driven by existing RNR franchise owners who are reinvesting in the fast-growing brand due to strong consumer demand of RNR’s unparalleled pay-as-you-go tire and wheel business model. The company has experienced significant growth over the past year – expanding to nearly 100 locations in 22 states. “Our unique business model, innovative training platforms, and premier service have driven RNR to become the dominant brand for affordable, convenient and quality tires and custom wheels,” said Larry Sutton, founder and president of RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels. “The ongoing trust and determination our franchise owners have committed to our brand has truly been the foundation of our explosive growth over the past year.” 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. 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. The brand looks to continue its expansion across the county and is seeking additional qualified multi-unit franchisees in New York, Arizona, Colorado and West Virginia, among other states. With a corporate culture that allows franchisees to have a high degree of entrepreneurial freedom and a proven record of same-store revenue growth for three consecutive years, RNR offers numerous benefits for prospective franchisees. The initial franchise fee for RNR is $35,000 with the total single-unit investment ranging from $500,000 to $1,000,000. 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 2016 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

Central Properties dba Premier Rental-Purchase

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.