Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels Named to Entrepreneur’s Best of the Best Franchises List

Fastest-Growing Tire & Wheel Retailer Ranks No. 1 in Automotive – Wheel and Tire Category

Continuing to prove that it is one of the premiere franchise brands in the country, RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels (RNR), the fastest-growing tire and custom wheel franchise in the nation, was recently named to Entrepreneur magazine’s Best of the Best Franchises List. The list, which recognizes the elite companies that ranked at the top of their industry categories in Entrepreneur’s 2017 Franchise 500® ranking, further validates the strength of the brands that continue to stand out in the competitive and evolving franchise world.  

Based on a comprehensive evaluation of more than 150 data points, Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® recognized RNR earlier this year for its exceptional performance in areas of cost and fees, size and growth, franchise support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. The list serves as a superior competitive measure for franchisors as well as a primary research tool for entrepreneurs seeking established franchise concepts with proven systems and results.

“It is a true honor to be recognized by Entrepreneur magazine on its Best of the Best franchise list,” said Larry Sutton, founder and president of RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels. “This ranking is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our corporate support team but more importantly, the passion and drive of our franchisees – all of whom are deeply committed to bringing affordable top notch tires and custom wheels to consumers across America.” 

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 29 months, RNR has opened 29 locations. 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. 

To view the full Best of the Best ranking, visit www.entrepreneur.com/article/292717. 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 miscellaneous auto products in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2017 Franchise 500 list and also took home the No. 126 spot on the annual ranking—the highest in company history. RNR was also ranked on the magazine’s Best of the Best list – coming in at No. 1 in the Automotive – Wheel and Tire Category. The brand owns 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.