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The Rent-to-Own Industry in Alabama

Providing Flexible Access to Essential Durable Household Goods

Last Updated: 

June 17, 2026

How Alabama's Rent-to-Own Businesses Impact Consumers, Communities, and Jobs

Rent-to-Own customers shopping for an affordable washer and dryer with flexible payment options.

The rent-to-own industry in Alabama consists of locally operated businesses that provide consumers with flexible access to essential household goods – such as furniture, appliances, electronics, and tires – through lease-to-own agreements. These agreements apply to consumer goods, not housing or real estate.

Unlike traditional credit products or loans, rent-to-own transactions do not create debt, charge interest, or require long-term financial obligations, allowing customers to stop payments or return items at any time.

Rent-to-own retailers operate in communities across Alabama, supporting local businesses and jobs while giving consumers flexible options that reflect today’s subscription-style economy. The industry also operates under clear state laws that require transparent disclosures and consumer protections. Alabama’s Rental-Purchase Agreement Act has successfully governed rent-to-own transactions in the state since 1988.

How Rent-to-Own Works in Alabama

Rent-to-own transactions operate under a model built around four core truths:

  • No Debt/No Obligation (Not a Loan)

    Rent-to-own is a lease-to-own transaction, not a credit-based loan. There is no debt, no interest, and no long-term obligation, allowing customers to stop at any time.

  • Flexible & Choice-Based

    Customers have the flexibility to choose how they acquire items, with the options to return, reinstate, or renew at their own pace.

  • Essential Access & Dignity

    The model provides immediate access to necessary household goods (like appliances and electronics) without requiring traditional credit, providing dignified, immediate ownership paths.

  • Regulated & Transparent

    The industry is highly regulated, operating under specific, clear statutes in 47 states that require transparent, mandatory disclosures.

Alabama Rent-to-Own Industry Economic Impact

The rent-to-own industry is an important part of Alabama’s retail economy and workforce.

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Data Source: APRO 2026 Rent-to-Own Industry Health Survey

Download the Alabama Rent-to-Own Economic Impact Report

Real Experiences from the Rent-to-Own Community

Featured Story:

The Human Impact of Rent-to-Own

Customers and employees share their firsthand experiences with rent-to-own and the impact is has had on their daily lives. Their stories provide a closer look at how real people have relied on rent-to-own and what those experiences have meant for them personally and professionally.

The Human Impact of Rent-to-Own

Alabama-Mississippi Rental Dealers Association

Alabama is represented by the Alabama-Mississippi Rental Dealers Association (FRDA), which advocates for the RTO industry and supports local rental dealers. AMRDA provides valuable resources, networking opportunities, and a unified voice for the industry in Alabama.

Rent-to-Own Stores in Alabama by Congressional District

View our state map highlighting rent-to-own store locations across Alabama along with congressional district boundaries. This resource provides a clear visual of where stores are located within each district, supporting advocacy and outreach efforts. 

Alabama Congressional District Map - Rent-to-Own Locations

Disclaimer:

The term “rent-to-own” can also refer to real estate arrangements. On this page, it is used exclusively to describe rental-purchase agreements for durable consumer goods.

The information contained on this website is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information and services are general and educational in nature, may not reflect all recent legal developments, and may not apply to the specific facts and circumstances of individual transactions and cases. The information and services on this website are not intended to and shall not be used as legal advice or as the basis of an attorney-client relationship. Articles and other publications on this website are current as of their date of publication and do not necessarily reflect the present law or regulations. The materials on this website are protected by copyright and trademark laws, are intended for personal use only, and may not be reproduced, distributed, modified, stored or posted in any form without written permission. You should consult with legal counsel before acting on any of the information and services on this website.

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.