UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 ________________________________
 FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 20212022
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                     TO                     
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-39681
 ________________________________
 THE AARON'S COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 _________________________________
Georgia85-2483376
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I. R. S. Employer
Identification No.)
400 Galleria Parkway SESuite 300AtlantaGeorgia30339-3182
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(678) 402-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.50 Par ValueAAN New York Stock Exchange

Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 ___________________________________

    Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (l) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of l9341934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes     No  
    Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes     No 
    Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer"filer," "smaller reporting company," and "smaller reporting"emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated FilerAccelerated Filer
Non-Accelerated Filer(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller Reporting Company
Emerging Growth Company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B)13(a) of the Securities ActExchange Act. ☐
    Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  No 
    Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Title of Each ClassShares Outstanding as of
April 20, 202122, 2022
Common Stock, $0.50 Par Value34,169,99830,708,802

1


THE AARON'S COMPANY, INC.
INDEX
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5. Other Information
2


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
ASSETS:ASSETS:ASSETS:
Cash and Cash EquivalentsCash and Cash Equivalents$61,064 $76,123 Cash and Cash Equivalents$13,518 $22,832 
Accounts Receivable (net of allowances of $3,920 in 2021 and $7,613 in 2020)27,898 33,990 
Lease Merchandise (net of accumulated depreciation and allowances of $441,017 in 2021 and $458,405 in 2020)705,536 697,235 
Accounts Receivable (net of allowances of $5,251 at March 31, 2022 and $7,163 at December 31, 2021)Accounts Receivable (net of allowances of $5,251 at March 31, 2022 and $7,163 at December 31, 2021)26,930 29,443 
Lease Merchandise (net of accumulated depreciation and allowances of $432,842 at March 31, 2022 and $439,745 at December 31, 2021)Lease Merchandise (net of accumulated depreciation and allowances of $432,842 at March 31, 2022 and $439,745 at December 31, 2021)769,018 772,154 
Property, Plant and Equipment, NetProperty, Plant and Equipment, Net209,357 200,370 Property, Plant and Equipment, Net230,945 230,895 
Operating Lease Right-of-Use AssetsOperating Lease Right-of-Use Assets228,584 238,085 Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets288,131 278,125 
GoodwillGoodwill8,468 7,569 Goodwill13,022 13,134 
Other Intangibles, NetOther Intangibles, Net7,480 9,097 Other Intangibles, Net4,288 5,095 
Income Tax ReceivableIncome Tax Receivable823 1,093 Income Tax Receivable2,711 3,587 
Prepaid Expenses and Other AssetsPrepaid Expenses and Other Assets86,400 89,895 Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets97,799 86,000 
Total AssetsTotal Assets$1,335,610 $1,353,457 Total Assets$1,446,362 $1,441,265 
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Accounts Payable and Accrued ExpensesAccounts Payable and Accrued Expenses$209,138 $230,848 Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses$242,702 $244,670 
Deferred Income Taxes PayableDeferred Income Taxes Payable71,342 62,601 Deferred Income Taxes Payable98,565 92,306 
Customer Deposits and Advance PaymentsCustomer Deposits and Advance Payments58,819 68,894 Customer Deposits and Advance Payments56,203 66,289 
Operating Lease LiabilitiesOperating Lease Liabilities256,585 278,958 Operating Lease Liabilities317,984 309,834 
DebtDebt338 831 Debt— 10,000 
Total LiabilitiesTotal Liabilities596,222 642,132 Total Liabilities715,454 723,099 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 4)Commitments and Contingencies (Note 4)00Commitments and Contingencies (Note 4)00
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common Stock, Par Value $0.50 Per Share: Authorized: 112,500,000 Shares at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020; Shares Issued: 35,430,776 at March 31, 2021 and 35,099,571 at December 31, 202017,715 17,550 
Common Stock, Par Value $0.50 Per Share: Authorized: 112,500,000 Shares at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021; Shares Issued: 35,968,806 at March 31, 2022 and 35,558,714 at December 31, 2021Common Stock, Par Value $0.50 Per Share: Authorized: 112,500,000 Shares at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021; Shares Issued: 35,968,806 at March 31, 2022 and 35,558,714 at December 31, 202117,984 17,779 
Additional Paid-in CapitalAdditional Paid-in Capital712,597 708,668 Additional Paid-in Capital727,842 724,384 
Retained EarningsRetained Earnings34,732 1,881 Retained Earnings116,494 98,546 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossAccumulated Other Comprehensive Loss(670)(797)Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss(347)(739)
764,374 727,302 861,973 839,970 
Less: Treasury Shares at CostLess: Treasury Shares at CostLess: Treasury Shares at Cost
1,260,778 Shares at March 31, 2021 and 894,660 at December 31, 2020(24,986)(15,977)
5,005,788 Shares at March 31, 2022 and 4,580,390 at December 31, 2021 5,005,788 Shares at March 31, 2022 and 4,580,390 at December 31, 2021(131,065)(121,804)
Total Shareholders’ EquityTotal Shareholders’ Equity739,388 711,325 Total Shareholders’ Equity730,908 718,166 
Total Liabilities & Shareholders’ EquityTotal Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity$1,335,610 $1,353,457 Total Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity$1,446,362 $1,441,265 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements.
3


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021202020222021
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
REVENUES:REVENUES:REVENUES:
Lease and Retail RevenuesLease and Retail Revenues$444,087 $398,910 Lease and Retail Revenues$421,925 $444,087 
Non-Retail SalesNon-Retail Sales29,949 26,846 Non-Retail Sales27,827 29,949 
Franchise Royalties and Other Revenue7,018 7,075 
Franchise Royalties and Other RevenuesFranchise Royalties and Other Revenues6,330 7,018 
481,054 432,831 456,082 481,054 
COSTS AND REVENUES:
COSTS OF REVENUES:COSTS OF REVENUES:
Cost of Lease and Retail RevenuesCost of Lease and Retail Revenues151,495 142,003 Cost of Lease and Retail Revenues145,779 151,495 
Non-Retail Cost of SalesNon-Retail Cost of Sales26,491 23,581 Non-Retail Cost of Sales25,356 26,491 
177,986 165,584 171,135 177,986 
GROSS PROFITGROSS PROFIT303,068 267,247 GROSS PROFIT284,947 303,068 
OPERATING EXPENSESOPERATING EXPENSESOPERATING EXPENSES
Personnel CostsPersonnel Costs124,863 115,746 Personnel Costs121,110 124,863 
Other Operating Expenses, NetOther Operating Expenses, Net108,366 123,065 Other Operating Expenses, Net104,359 108,366 
Provision for Lease Merchandise Write-OffsProvision for Lease Merchandise Write-Offs13,417 23,960 Provision for Lease Merchandise Write-Offs21,957 13,417 
Restructuring Expenses, NetRestructuring Expenses, Net3,441 22,286 Restructuring Expenses, Net3,335 3,441 
Impairment of Goodwill446,893 
Separation CostsSeparation Costs540 4,390 
Acquisition-Related CostsAcquisition-Related Costs3,464 — 
254,765 254,477 
Separation Costs4,390 
254,477 731,950 
OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)48,591 (464,703)
OPERATING PROFITOPERATING PROFIT30,182 48,591 
Interest ExpenseInterest Expense(344)(3,799)Interest Expense(350)(344)
Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net402 (1,759)
EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES48,649 (470,261)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)12,326 (146,487)
NET EARNINGS (LOSS)$36,323 $(323,774)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE$1.06 $(9.57)
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE ASSUMING DILUTION$1.04 $(9.57)
Other Non-Operating (Expense) Income, NetOther Non-Operating (Expense) Income, Net(927)402 
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXESEARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES28,905 48,649 
INCOME TAX EXPENSEINCOME TAX EXPENSE7,373 12,326 
NET EARNINGSNET EARNINGS$21,532 $36,323 
EARNINGS PER SHAREEARNINGS PER SHARE$0.69 $1.06 
EARNINGS PER SHARE ASSUMING DILUTIONEARNINGS PER SHARE ASSUMING DILUTION$0.68 $1.04 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements.
4


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands)20212020
Net Earnings (Loss)$36,323 $(323,774)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment127 (1,754)
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)127 (1,754)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)$36,450 $(325,528)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In Thousands)20222021
Net Earnings$21,532 $36,323 
Other Comprehensive Income:
Unrealized Gain on Fuel Hedge Derivative Instrument154 — 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment238 127 
Total Other Comprehensive Income392 127 
Comprehensive Income$21,924 $36,450 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements.

5


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021202020222021
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:OPERATING ACTIVITIES:OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Earnings (Loss)$36,323 $(323,774)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings (Loss) to Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Net EarningsNet Earnings$21,532 $36,323 
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Cash Provided by Operating Activities:Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation of Lease MerchandiseDepreciation of Lease Merchandise139,212 133,489 Depreciation of Lease Merchandise134,713 139,212 
Other Depreciation and AmortizationOther Depreciation and Amortization17,067 17,332 Other Depreciation and Amortization18,149 17,067 
Provision for Lease Merchandise Write-OffsProvision for Lease Merchandise Write-Offs21,957 13,417 
Accounts Receivable ProvisionAccounts Receivable Provision3,763 8,807 Accounts Receivable Provision6,753 3,763 
Stock-Based CompensationStock-Based Compensation3,593 2,207 Stock-Based Compensation3,611 3,593 
Deferred Income TaxesDeferred Income Taxes8,741 (76,542)Deferred Income Taxes6,241 8,741 
Impairment of AssetsImpairment of Assets2,272 466,030 Impairment of Assets1,585 2,272 
Non-Cash Lease ExpenseNon-Cash Lease Expense23,030 25,772 Non-Cash Lease Expense23,971 23,030 
Other Changes, NetOther Changes, Net(831)1,818 Other Changes, Net(4,576)(831)
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net of Effects of Acquisitions and Dispositions:
Additions to Lease Merchandise(197,922)(111,260)
Book Value of Lease Merchandise Sold or Disposed50,444 55,784 
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:
Lease MerchandiseLease Merchandise(153,711)(160,895)
Accounts ReceivableAccounts Receivable2,265 1,542 Accounts Receivable(4,190)2,265 
Prepaid Expenses and Other AssetsPrepaid Expenses and Other Assets1,440 9,917 Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets(11,610)1,440 
Income Tax ReceivableIncome Tax Receivable270 (85,891)Income Tax Receivable876 270 
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets and LiabilitiesOperating Lease Right-of-Use Assets and Liabilities(37,776)(24,422)Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets and Liabilities(27,009)(37,776)
Accounts Payable and Accrued ExpensesAccounts Payable and Accrued Expenses(21,563)(39,341)Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses846 (21,563)
Customer Deposits and Advance PaymentsCustomer Deposits and Advance Payments(10,129)(4,683)Customer Deposits and Advance Payments(10,086)(10,129)
Cash Provided by Operating ActivitiesCash Provided by Operating Activities20,199 56,785 Cash Provided by Operating Activities29,052 20,199 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:INVESTING ACTIVITIES:INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from Investments1,974 
Purchases of Property, Plant, and EquipmentPurchases of Property, Plant, and Equipment(27,032)(21,732)Purchases of Property, Plant, and Equipment(25,103)(27,032)
Proceeds from Dispositions of Property, Plant, and EquipmentProceeds from Dispositions of Property, Plant, and Equipment2,695 903 Proceeds from Dispositions of Property, Plant, and Equipment8,136 2,695 
Acquisition of Businesses and Customer Agreements, Net of Cash Disposed(1,062)(855)
Acquisition of Businesses and Customer Agreements, Net of Cash AcquiredAcquisition of Businesses and Customer Agreements, Net of Cash Acquired(286)(1,062)
Proceeds from Other Investing-Related ActivitiesProceeds from Other Investing-Related Activities190 1,974 
Cash Used in Investing ActivitiesCash Used in Investing Activities(23,425)(21,684)Cash Used in Investing Activities(17,063)(23,425)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:FINANCING ACTIVITIES:FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on Revolving Facility, Net300,000 
Proceeds from Debt5,625 
Repayments on Revolving Facility, Net
Repayments on Revolving Facility, Net
(10,000)— 
Repayments on DebtRepayments on Debt(492)(392)Repayments on Debt— (492)
Dividends PaidDividends Paid(3,430)Dividends Paid(3,110)(3,430)
Acquisition of Treasury StockAcquisition of Treasury Stock(5,727)Acquisition of Treasury Stock(4,722)(5,727)
Issuance of Stock Under Stock Option PlansIssuance of Stock Under Stock Option Plans543 Issuance of Stock Under Stock Option Plans52 543 
Shares Withheld for Tax PaymentsShares Withheld for Tax Payments(2,729)Shares Withheld for Tax Payments(3,541)(2,729)
Net Transfers From Former Parent90,502 
Debt Issuance Costs(1,020)
Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities(11,835)394,715 
Cash Used in Financing ActivitiesCash Used in Financing Activities(21,321)(11,835)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTSEFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(117)EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS18 
(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents(15,059)429,699 
Decrease in Cash and Cash EquivalentsDecrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents(9,314)(15,059)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of PeriodCash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period76,123 48,773 Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period22,832 76,123 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of PeriodCash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period$61,064 $478,472 Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period$13,518 $61,064 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Condensed Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements.
6


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. BASIS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

As described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic has led to significant market disruption in 2020 and 2021 and has impacted manycontinued to impact various aspects of our operations, directly and indirectly.indirectly on a moderated basis. Throughout these notes to the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial results for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and comparable prior periods have been identified to the best of our ability under the respective sections. Additionally, there are significant uncertainties regarding the future scope and nature of these impacts, which continue to evolve each day. For a discussion of operational measures taken, as well as trends and uncertainties that we believe have affected or are expected to affect our business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, see Part I, Item 2. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", including the "Recent Developments and Operational Measures Taken by Us in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic," "Results of Operations" and "Liquidity and Capital Resources", below, and Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our CurrentAnnual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the U.S.United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 23, 202124, 2022 (the "2020"2021 Annual Report").
Description of Spin-off Transaction
On October 16, 2020, management of Aaron’s, Inc. finalized the formation of a new holding company structure in anticipation of the separation and distribution transaction described below. Under the holding company structure, Aaron’s, Inc. became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of a newly formed company, Aaron’s Holdings Company, Inc. Aaron's, Inc. was subsequently converted to a limited liability company ("Aaron’s, LLC") holding the assets and liabilities historically associated with the historical Aaron's Business segment (the "Aaron's Business"). Upon completion of the holding company formation, Aaron’s Holdings Company, Inc. became the publicly traded parent company of the Progressive Leasing, Aaron’s Business, and Vive segments.
On November 30, 2020 (the "separation and distribution date"), Aaron's Holdings Company, Inc. completed the previously announced separation of the Aaron's Business segment (the "Aaron's Business") from its Progressive Leasing and Vive segments and changed its name to PROG Holdings, Inc. (referred to herein as "PROG Holdings" or "Former Parent"). The separation of the Aaron's Business segment was effected through a distribution (the "separation", the "separation and distribution", or the "spin-off transaction") of all outstanding shares of common stock of a newly formed company called The Aaron's Company, Inc., a Georgia corporation ("Aaron's", "The Aaron's Company" or "the Company"), a Georgia corporation, to the PROG Holdings shareholders of record as of November 27, 2020. Upon the separation and distribution, Aaron's, LLC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Aaron's Company. Shareholders of PROG Holdings received one share of The Aaron's Company for every two shares of PROG Holdings' common stock. Upon completion of the separation and distribution transaction, The Aaron's Company, Inc. became an independent, publicly traded company under the ticker "AAN" on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").
Unless the context otherwise requires or we specifically indicate otherwise, references to "we," "us," "our," "our"the Company," and "the Company""Aaron's" refer to The Aaron's Company, Inc., which holds, directly or indirectly, the Aaron’s Business prior to the separation and distribution date. References to "the Company", "Aaron's, Inc.", or "Aaron's Holdings Company, Inc." for periods prior to
Further details of the separation and distribution date refer to transactions, events, and obligationsspin-off transaction are discussed in Part I, Item 1, of Aaron's, Inc. which took place prior to the separation and distribution. Historical amounts herein include revenues and costs directly attributable to The Aaron's Company, Inc. and an allocation to2021 Annual Report.
BrandsMart U.S.A. Acquisition
On April 1, 2022, the Company completed the previously announced transaction to acquire a 100% ownership of expensesInterbond Corporation of America, doing business as BrandsMart U.S.A. ("BrandsMart"). Founded in 1977, BrandsMart is one of the Aaron's Businessleading appliance and consumer electronics retailers in the southeast United States and one of the largest appliance retailers in the country with 10 stores in Florida and Georgia and a growing e-commerce presence on brandsmartusa.com. The Company paid total consideration of approximately $230 million in cash under the terms of the agreement and additional amounts for working capital adjustments and transaction related fees, subject to certain PROG Holdings' corporate functionsclosing adjustments. Refer to subsequent events further described in Note 6 to these condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information. The Company's financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and comparable prior period do not include the results of BrandsMart, which will be included in the condensed consolidated financial statements during the second quarter of 2022.
Management believes that the acquisition will strengthen Aaron’s ability to the separationdeliver on its mission of enhancing people’s lives by providing easy access to high quality furniture, appliances, electronics, and distribution date.other home goods through affordable lease-to-own and retail purchase options. Management believes that value creation opportunities include leveraging Aaron’s lease-to-own expertise to provide BrandsMart's customers enhanced payment options and offering a wide selection of BrandsMart product assortment to millions of Aaron’s customers.
We describe in these footnotes the business held by us after the separation as if it were a standalone business for all historical periods described. However, we were not a standalone separate entity with independently conducted operations before the separation.
7


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Description of Business
Aaron's is a leading, technology-enabled, omni-channel provider of lease-to-own ("LTO") and retail purchase solutions generally focused onof appliances, electronics, furniture, and other home goods. Since its founding in 1955, Aaron's has been committed to serving the large, credit-challenged segment ofoverlooked and underserved customer with a dedication to inclusion and improving the population.communities in which it operates. Through our portfolio of approximately 1,300 stores and our Aarons.com e-commerce platform, we provide consumers with LTO and purchase solutions for the products they need and want, with a focus on providing our customers with unparalleled customer service and an attractive value proposition, including furniture, appliances, electronics, computerscompetitive monthly payments and a varietytotal cost of ownership, as compared to other productsLTO providers, high approval rates, and accessories.lease plan flexibility. In addition, the CompanyCompany's business includes the operations of Woodhaven Furniture Industries ("Woodhaven"), which manufactures and supplies the majority of the bedding and a significant portion of the upholstered furniture leased and sold in company-operatedCompany-operated and franchised stores.
7


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The following table presents store count by ownership type:
Stores as of March 31 (Unaudited)Stores as of March 31 (Unaudited)20212020Stores as of March 31 (Unaudited)20222021
Company-operated StoresCompany-operated Stores1,089 1,129 Company-operated Stores1,070 1,089 
Franchised StoresFranchised Stores247 318 Franchised Stores236 247 
Systemwide StoresSystemwide Stores1,336 1,447 Systemwide Stores1,306 1,336 
Basis of Presentation
The financial statements for periods prior to and through the date of the separation and distribution, November 30, 2020, were prepared on a combined standalone basis and were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of PROG Holdings. The financial statements for the period from December 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, and three months ended March 31, 20212022 and comparable prior year period are consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, each of which is wholly-owned, and is based on the financial position and results of operations of the Company as a standalone company.Company. Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated. These condensed consolidated and combined financial statements reflect the historical results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). The historical results of operations and cash flows of the Company prior to the separation and distribution presented in these condensed consolidated and combined financial statements may not be indicative of what they would have been had the Company been an independent standalone entity, nor are they necessarily indicative of the Company's future results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
The combined balance sheets for periods prior to and through the separation and distribution date include the assets and liabilities associated with the historical Aaron’s Business and certain assets and liabilities where Aaron's, Inc. is the legal beneficiary or obligor. The combined statements of earnings for periods prior to and through the separation and distribution date include all revenues and costs directly attributable to the Company and an allocation of expenses related to certain PROG Holdings corporate functions. These allocated costs and expenses include executive management, finance, treasury, tax, audit, legal, information technology, human resources and risk management functions and the related benefit cost associated with such functions, including stock-based compensation. These costs and expenses have been allocated to the Company based on direct usage or benefit where specifically identifiable, with the remaining expenses allocated primarily on a pro rata basis using an applicable measure of revenues, headcount or other relevant measures. The Company considers these allocations to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services or the benefit received.
The preparation of the Company's condensed consolidated and combined financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP")GAAP for interim financial information requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Generally, actual experience has been consistent with management's prior estimates and assumptions. However, as described above, the extent to which the normalization of business trends since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting measures taken by Federalthe Company and Statefederal and state governments and the Company will impact the Company's business will depend on future developments. These developments which are uncertain and cannot be precisely predicted at this time. In many cases, management's estimates and assumptions are dependent on estimates of such future developments and may change significantly in the future due to unforeseen direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.future.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated and combined financial statements do not include all information required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated and combined financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the 20202021 Annual Report. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 are not necessarily indicative of operating results that may be achieved for any other interim period or for the full year.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods to conform to the current period presentation. For previously reported interim and annual periods prior to December 31, 2021, the Company reported the additions to lease merchandise and the book value of lease merchandise sold or disposed as separate lines within operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Effective with the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company revised its presentation of changes to lease merchandise to separately present the provision for lease merchandise write-offs, and combine the remaining operating activity-related changes in lease merchandise, with the exception of depreciation of lease merchandise, in a single line under changes in operating assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. This revised presentation and the related adjustments to the prior period presentation do not have an impact on cash provided by operating activities.
Accounting Policies and Estimates
See Note 1 to the consolidated and combined financial statements in the 20202021 Annual Report for an expanded discussion of accounting policies and estimates. Discussions of accounting estimates and application of accounting policies herein have also been updated as applicable to describe the uncertainty associated with theany impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic described above.
8


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The computation of earnings per share assuming dilution includes the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), restricted stock awards ("RSAs"), performance share units ("PSUs") and other awards issuable under the Company's employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP") (collectively, "share-based awards") as determined under the treasury stock method, unless the inclusion of such awards would have been anti-dilutive.
The Company's basic earnings per share calculations for the periods prior to the separation and distribution assumes that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding was 33,841,624, which is the number of shares distributed to shareholders on the separation and distribution date, November 30, 2020. The same number of shares was used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the periods prior to the separation and distribution, as there were no equity awards of The Aaron's Company, Inc. outstanding prior to the distribution date.
The following table shows the calculation of weighted-average shares outstanding assuming dilution:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Shares In Thousands)(Shares In Thousands)20212020(Shares In Thousands)20222021
Weighted Average Shares OutstandingWeighted Average Shares Outstanding34,262 33,842 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding31,062 34,262 
Dilutive Effect of Share-Based AwardsDilutive Effect of Share-Based Awards657 Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Awards698 657 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming DilutionWeighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution34,919 33,842 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution31,760 34,919 
Approximately 70,6000.5 million and 0.1 million weighted-average share-basedshares-based awards were excluded from the computation of earnings per share assuming dilution during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, respectively, as the awards would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.
Revenue Recognition
The Company provides lease merchandise, consisting of furniture, appliances, electronics, outdoor productsfurniture, and a variety of other products and accessorieshome goods to its customers for lease under certain terms agreed to by the customer. Our stores and e-commerce platform offer leases with flexible ownership plans that can be renewed monthly up to 12, 18 or 24 months. The Company also earns revenue from the sale of merchandise to customers and its franchisees, and earns ongoing revenue from its franchisees in the form of royalties and through advertising efforts that benefit the franchisees. See Note 3 to these condensed consolidated and combined financial statements for further information regarding the Company's revenue recognition policies and disclosures.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables due from customers on lease agreements, corporate receivables incurred during the normal course of business (primarily for vendor consideration and real estate leasing activities) and franchisee obligations.
Accounts receivable, net of allowances, consist of the following: 
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(In Thousands)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
CustomersCustomers$5,118 $8,399 Customers$7,343 $8,635 
CorporateCorporate11,922 12,771 Corporate10,603 11,478 
FranchiseeFranchisee10,858 12,820 Franchisee8,984 9,330 
$27,898 $33,990 $26,930 $29,443 
The Company maintains an accounts receivable allowance, under which the Company's policy is to record a provision for returns and uncollectible contractually due renewal payments based on historical payments experience, which is recognized as a reduction of lease and retail revenues within the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. Other qualitative factors are considered in estimating the allowance, such as current and forecasted business trends including, but not limited to, the uncertainty of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business.trends. The Company writes off customer lease receivables that are 60 days or more past due on pre-determined dates twice monthly.
9


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The Company also maintains an allowance for outstanding franchisee accounts receivable. The Company's policy is to estimate a specific allowance on accounts receivable to estimate future losses related to certain franchisees that are deemed to have a higher risk of non-payment and a generalrecord an allowance based on historical losses as well as the Company's assessment of the financial health of all other franchisees.for these estimated losses. The estimated allowance on franchisee accounts receivable includes consideration of broad macroeconomic trends, such as the uncertainty surrounding the impacts of the normalization of current and future business trends associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the franchisees' ability to satisfy their obligations. Accordingly, actual accounts receivable write-offs could differ from the allowance. The provision for uncollectible franchisee accounts receivable is recorded as bad debt expense in other operating expenses, net within the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings.
Given the uncertainty regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, actual accounts receivable write-offs could differ materially from the allowance.
The following table shows the components of the accounts receivable allowance:
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)March 31, 2021March 31, 2020(In Thousands)20222021
Beginning BalanceBeginning Balance$7,613 $10,720 Beginning Balance$7,163 $7,613 
Accounts Written Off, net of RecoveriesAccounts Written Off, net of Recoveries(7,456)(10,993)Accounts Written Off, net of Recoveries(8,665)(7,456)
Accounts Receivable ProvisionAccounts Receivable Provision3,763 8,807 Accounts Receivable Provision6,753 3,763 
Ending BalanceEnding Balance$3,920 $8,534 Ending Balance$5,251 $3,920 
The following table shows the components of the accounts receivable provision, which includes amounts recognized for bad debt expense and the provision for returns and uncollected payments:
Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)20212020(In Thousands)20222021
Bad Debt (Reversal) ExpenseBad Debt (Reversal) Expense$(700)$911 Bad Debt (Reversal) Expense$(175)$(700)
Provision for Returns and Uncollectible Renewal PaymentsProvision for Returns and Uncollectible Renewal Payments4,463 7,896 Provision for Returns and Uncollectible Renewal Payments6,928 4,463 
Accounts Receivable ProvisionAccounts Receivable Provision$3,763 $8,807 Accounts Receivable Provision$6,753 $3,763 
Lease Merchandise
The Company’s lease merchandise is recorded at the lower of depreciated cost or net realizable value. The cost of merchandise manufactured by our Woodhaven operations is recorded at cost and includes overhead from production facilities, shipping costs and warehousing costs. The Company begins depreciating merchandise at the earlier of 12 months and one day from its purchase of the merchandise or when the item is leased to customers. Lease merchandise depreciates to a 0% salvage value over the lease agreement period when on lease, generally 12 to 24 months, and generally 36 months when not on lease. Depreciation is accelerated upon early payout.
The following is a summary of lease merchandise, net of accumulated depreciation and allowances:
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(In Thousands)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Merchandise on Lease, net of Accumulated Depreciation and AllowancesMerchandise on Lease, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances$471,249 $473,964 Merchandise on Lease, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances$473,100 $496,506 
Merchandise Not on Lease, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances1
Merchandise Not on Lease, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances1
234,287 223,271 
Merchandise Not on Lease, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances1
295,918 275,648 
Lease Merchandise, net of Accumulated Depreciation and AllowancesLease Merchandise, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances$705,536 $697,235 Lease Merchandise, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances$769,018 $772,154 
1Includes Woodhaven raw materials, finished goods and work-in-process inventory that has been classified within lease merchandise in the condensed consolidated balance sheets of $12.1$19.1 million and $10.4$20.2 million as of March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 2020,2021, respectively.
The Company's policies require weekly merchandise counts at its store-based operations, which include write-offs for unsalable, damaged, or missing merchandise inventories. In addition to monthlyMonthly cycle counting full physicalprocedures are performed at both the Company's fulfillment centers and manufacturing facilities. Physical inventories are generallyalso taken at the fulfillment and manufacturing facilities annually and appropriate provisions are made for missing, damaged and unsalable merchandise. In addition, theannually. The Company also monitors merchandise levels and mix by division, store, and fulfillment center, as well as the average age of merchandise on hand. If obsolete merchandise cannot be returned to vendors, its carrying amount is adjusted to its net realizable value or written off. Generally, all merchandise not on lease is available for lease or sale. On a monthly basis, all damaged, lost or unsalable merchandise identified is written off.
The Company records a provision for write-offs using the allowance method, which is included within lease merchandise, net within the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The allowance method for lease merchandise write-offs estimates the merchandise losses incurred but not yet identified by management as of the end of the accounting period based primarily on
10


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
historical write-off experience. Other qualitative factors are considered in estimating the allowance, such as currentseasonality and forecasted business trends including, but not limited to, uncertainties related touncertainty surrounding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. Given the significant uncertainty regarding the impactsnormalization of current and future business trends associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, a high level of estimation was involved in determining the allowance as of March 31, 2021; therefore,pandemic. Therefore, actual lease merchandise write-offs could differ materially from the allowance. The provision for write-offs is included in provision for lease merchandise write-offs in the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. The Company writes off lease merchandise on lease agreements that are 60 days or more past due on pre-determined dates twice monthly.
The following table shows the components of the allowance for lease merchandise write-offs:
Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)20212020(In Thousands)20222021
Beginning BalanceBeginning Balance$11,599 $13,823 Beginning Balance$12,339 $11,599 
Merchandise Written off, net of RecoveriesMerchandise Written off, net of Recoveries(14,849)(21,767)Merchandise Written off, net of Recoveries(22,183)(14,849)
Provision for Write-offsProvision for Write-offs13,417 23,960 Provision for Write-offs21,957 13,417 
Ending BalanceEnding Balance$10,167 $16,016 Ending Balance$12,113 $10,167 
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following:
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(In Thousands)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Prepaid ExpensesPrepaid Expenses$26,667 $25,882 Prepaid Expenses$19,870 $14,651 
Insurance Related AssetsInsurance Related Assets25,317 27,960 Insurance Related Assets26,249 30,757 
Company-Owned Life InsuranceCompany-Owned Life Insurance14,632 16,223 Company-Owned Life Insurance14,862 15,808 
Assets Held for SaleAssets Held for Sale8,925 8,956 Assets Held for Sale1,910 1,550 
Deferred Tax AssetDeferred Tax Asset7,014 7,014 Deferred Tax Asset8,013 7,994 
Other AssetsOther Assets3,845 3,860 Other Assets26,895 15,240 
$86,400 $89,895 $97,799 $86,000 
Assets Held for Sale
Certain properties, consisting of parcels of land and commercial buildings, and certain company-owned vehicles met the held for sale classification criteria as of March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 2020.2021. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less estimated cost to sell and are classified within prepaid expenses and other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Depreciation is suspended on assets upon classification to held for sale.
Gains and losses related to the sale of assets held for sale are recorded in other operating expenses, net or restructuring expenses, net (if the asset is a part of the Company's restructuring programs further described in Note 5)5 to these condensed consolidated financial statements) in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. Such gains and losses were not significant for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and March 31, 2020.2021.
Management estimated the fair values of real estate properties using the market values for similar properties. Real estate properties represent $1.6 million and $1.2 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. These properties are considered Level 2 assets as defined below. The carrying amount of the propertiesall assets held for sale as of March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 20202021 is $8.9$1.9 million and $9.0$1.6 million, respectively.
Accounts PayableSale-Leaseback Transaction
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company entered into a sale and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payableleaseback transaction related to 3 Company-owned store properties. The Company received net proceeds of $5.7 million, which were presented within proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and accruedequipment in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and recorded a gain of $3.8 million related to the sale and leaseback transaction, which was classified within other operating expenses, consistnet in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings and was presented within other changes, net in the following:
(In Thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Accounts Payable$32,825 $84,566 
Estimated Claims Liability Costs50,983 49,272 
Accrued Salaries and Benefits70,711 53,396 
Accrued Real Estate and Sales Taxes23,732 23,025 
Other Accrued Expenses and Liabilities30,887 20,589 
$209,138 $230,848 
condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
11


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:

(In Thousands)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Accounts Payable$83,865 $83,118 
Estimated Claims Liability Costs58,847 57,381 
Accrued Salaries and Benefits52,141 57,837 
Accrued Real Estate and Sales Taxes21,528 22,754 
Other Accrued Expenses and Liabilities26,321 23,580 
$242,702 $244,670 
Estimated Claims Liability Costs
Estimated claims liability costs are accrued primarily for workers compensation and vehicle liability, as well as general liability and group health insurance benefits provided to employees.team members. These liabilities are recorded within estimated claims liability costs within accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Estimates for these claims liabilities are made based on actual reported but unpaid claims and actuarial analysis of the projected claims run off for both reported and incurred but not reported claims. This analysis is based upon an assessment of the likely outcome or historical experience.experience and considers a variety of factors, including the actuarial loss forecasts, company-specific development factors, general industry loss development factors and third-party claim administrator loss estimates of individual claims. The Company makes periodic prepayments to its insurance carriers to cover the projected claims run off for both reported and incurred but not reported claims, considering its retention or stop loss limits. In addition, we have prefunding balances on deposit and other insurance receivables with the insurance carriers which are recorded within prepaid expenses and other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Goodwill
The Company’s goodwill is not amortized but is subject to an impairment test at the reporting unit level annually as of October 1 and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. An interim goodwill impairment test is required if the Company believes it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of one or more reporting units exceeds the reporting units' fair value. The Company concluded that the need for an interim goodwill impairment test was triggered as of March 31, 2020. Factors that led to this conclusion included: (i) a significant decline in the Aaron's, Inc. stock price and market capitalization in March 2020; (ii) the temporary closure of all company-operated store showrooms due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted our financial results and was expected to adversely impact future financial results; (iii) the significant uncertainty with regard to the short-term and long-term impacts that macroeconomic conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and related government emergency and executive orders would have on the financial health of our customers and franchisees; and (iv) consideration given to the amount by which the Aaron's reporting unit's fair value exceeded the carrying value from the October 1, 2019 annual goodwill impairment test.Segment Reporting
As of March, 31 2020,2022, management of Aaron's, Inc determined its existing goodwill was fully impaired and recorded a goodwill impairment loss of $446.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. Management engaged the assistance of a third-party valuation firm to perform the interim goodwill impairment test, which entailed an assessment of the Aaron's Business reporting unit’s fair value relative to the carrying value that was derived using a combination of both income and market approaches and performing a market capitalization reconciliation, which included an assessment of the control premium implied from the Company's estimated fair values of its reporting units. The fair value measurement involved significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs, as discussed more fully below). The income approach utilized the discounted future expected cash flows, which required assumptions about short-term and long-term revenue growth or decline rates, operating margins, capital requirements, and a weighted-average cost of capital. The income approach reflected assumptions and estimates made by management regarding direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the short-term and long-term cash flows for the reporting unit. Due to the significant uncertainty associated with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the assumptions and estimates used by management were highly subjective. The weighted-average cost of capital used in the income approach was adjusted to reflect the specific risks and uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in developing the cash flow projections. Given the uncertainty discussed above, the Company performed certain sensitivity analyses including considering reasonably possible alternative assumptions for short-term and long-term growth or decline rates, operating margins, capital requirements, and weighted-average cost of capital rates. Each of the sensitivity analyses performed supported the conclusion of a full impairment of the existing goodwill balance within the Aaron's reporting unit.
The market approach, which includes the guideline public company method, utilized pricing multiples derived from an analysis of comparable publicly traded companies. We believe the comparable companies we evaluate as marketplace participants serve as an appropriate reference when calculating fair value because those companies have similar risks, participate in similar markets, provide similar products and services for their customers and compete with us directly. However, we considered that such publicly available information regarding the comparable companies evaluated likely did not reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in determining the multiple assumptions selected.
The Company completed acquisitions of certain franchisees and third party rent-to-own stores subsequent to March 31, 2020, which resulted in a goodwill balance of $8.5 million and $7.6 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The Company determined that there were no events that occurred or circumstances that changed in the first quarter of 2021 that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of its reporting unit below its carrying amount.
12


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Segment Reporting
Management concluded that the Company has 1 operating and reportable segment based on the nature of the financial information regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to assess performance and allocate resources. We have also concluded that the Company has one1 reporting unit due to the fact that the components included within the operating segment have similar economic characteristics, such as the nature of the products and services provided, the nature of the customers we serve, and the interrelated nature of the components that are aggregated to form the sole reporting unit. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources as a single operating segment based on revenue growth and pre-tax profit or loss from operations.
Related PartyGoodwill
The Aaron's Company was a related partyCompany’s goodwill is not amortized but is subject to PROG Holdings prior toan impairment test at the separationreporting unit level annually as of October 1 and distribution date.
All intercompany transactions betweenmore frequently if events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. An interim goodwill impairment test is required if the Company and PROG Holdingsbelieves it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of its reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The Company determined that there were included within invested capital in the historical combined balance sheets prior to the separation and distribution date, and are classified as changes in invested capital within stockholders' equity for the historical periods prior to the separation and distribution date. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of cash flows as a financing activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Corporate Allocations
The Company's previous operating model included a combination of standalone and combined business functions with PROG Holdings. The condensed consolidated and combined financial statements in the 2020 Annual Report include corporate allocations to the Company through the separation and distribution date for expenses related to activitiesno events that were previously provided on a centralized basis within PROG Holdings. These expenses primarily related to executive management, finance, treasury, tax, audit, legal, information technology, human resources and risk management functions and the related benefit cost associated with such functions, including stock-based compensation. See Note 12 of the 2020 Annual Report for more information regarding stock-based compensation. Corporate allocations to the Companyoccurred or circumstances that changed during the three months ended March 31, 2020 also include expenses related to2022 that would more likely than not reduce the separation and distribution. These expenses have been allocated to the Company based on direct usage or benefit where specifically identifiable, with the remainder allocated primarily on a pro rata basis using an applicable measurefair value of revenues, headcount or other relevant measures. its reporting unit below its carrying amount.
The Company considers these allocations to becompleted acquisitions of certain franchisees and third party rent-to-own stores throughout 2020 and 2021, which resulted in a reasonable reflectiongoodwill balance of the utilization$13.0 million and $13.1 million as of services or the benefit received. These allocated expenses are included within personnel costs and other operating expenses, net in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings and as an increase to invested capital in the historical condensed combined balance sheets prior to the separation and distribution date. General corporate expenses allocated to the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $6.6 million.
Management believes the assumptions regarding the allocation of general corporate expenses from PROG Holdings are reasonable. However, the consolidated2022 and combined financial statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred and may not reflect the Company's consolidated and combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it been a standalone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if the Company had been a standalone company would depend on multiple factors, including organization structure and various other strategic decisions.December 31, 2021, respectively.
1312


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Post-Separation Arrangements
In connection with the separation and distribution, the Company entered into several agreements with PROG Holdings, which (i) govern the separation and our relationship with PROG Holdings after the separation, and (ii) provide for the allocation between the two companies of PROG Holdings' assets, employees, liabilities and obligations (including its investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to periods prior to, at, and after the separation. These agreements are further described in Note 14 of the 2020 Annual Report. Amounts incurred and due to or from PROG Holdings for transition services were not significant during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Stockholders' Equity
Changes in stockholders' equity for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 20202021 are as follows:
Treasury StockCommon StockInvested CapitalAdditional
Paid-in Capital
Retained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive LossTotal Shareholders’ Equity Treasury StockCommon StockAdditional
Paid-in Capital
Retained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive LossTotal Shareholders’ Equity
(In Thousands, Except Per Share)(In Thousands, Except Per Share)SharesAmount(In Thousands, Except Per Share)SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance, December 31, 2020(895)$(15,977)$17,550 $— $708,668 $1,881 $(797)$711,325 
Cash Dividends, $0.10 per share— — — — — (3,472)— (3,472)
Balance, December 31, 2021Balance, December 31, 2021(4,580)$(121,804)35,559 $17,779 $724,384 $98,546 $(739)$718,166 
Cash Dividends, $0.11 per shareCash Dividends, $0.11 per share— — — — — (3,584)— (3,584)
Stock-Based CompensationStock-Based Compensation— — — — 3,551 — — 3,551 Stock-Based Compensation— — — — 3,611 — — 3,611 
Issuance of Shares under Equity PlansIssuance of Shares under Equity Plans(114)(2,729)165 — 378 — — (2,186)Issuance of Shares under Equity Plans(163)(3,541)410 205 (153)— — (3,489)
Acquisition of Treasury StockAcquisition of Treasury Stock(252)(6,280)— — — — — (6,280)Acquisition of Treasury Stock(262)(5,720)— — — — — (5,720)
Net EarningsNet Earnings— — — — — 36,323 — 36,323 Net Earnings— — — — — 21,532 — 21,532 
Unrealized Gain on Fuel Hedge Derivative InstrumentUnrealized Gain on Fuel Hedge Derivative Instrument— — — — — — 154 154 
Foreign Currency Translation AdjustmentForeign Currency Translation Adjustment— — — — — — 127 127 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment— — — — — — 238 238 
Balance, March 31, 2021(1,261)$(24,986)$17,715 $— $712,597 $34,732 $(670)$739,388 
Balance, March 31, 2022Balance, March 31, 2022(5,005)$(131,065)35,969 $17,984 $727,842 $116,494 $(347)$730,908 

 Treasury StockCommon StockInvested CapitalAdditional
Paid-in Capital
Retained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive LossTotal Shareholders’ Equity
(In Thousands, Except Per Share)SharesAmount
Balance, December 31, 2019$$$837,800 $$$(19)$837,781 
Stock-Based Compensation— — — 2,725 — — 2,725 
Net increase in Invested Capital— — — 90,211 — — — 90,211 
Net Loss— — — (323,774)— — (323,774)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment— — — — — (1,754)(1,754)
Balance, March 31, 2020$$$606,962 $$$(1,773)$605,189 
 Treasury StockCommon StockAdditional
Paid-in Capital
Retained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive LossTotal Shareholders’ Equity
(In Thousands, Except Per Share)SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance, December 31, 2020(895)$(15,977)35,100 $17,550 $708,668 $1,881 $(797)$711,325 
Cash Dividends, $0.10 per share— — — — — (3,472)— (3,472)
Stock-Based Compensation— — — — 3,551 — — 3,551 
Issuance of Shares Under Equity Plans(114)(2,729)331 165 378 — — (2,186)
Acquisition of Treasury Stock(252)(6,280)— — — — — (6,280)
Net Earnings— — — — — 36,323 — 36,323 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment— — — — — — 127 127 
Balance, March 31, 2021(1,261)$(24,986)35,431 $17,715 $712,597 $34,732 $(670)$739,388 
Fair Value Measurement
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:
Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
Level 2—Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3—Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company's own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.
1413


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The Company measures a liability related to its non-qualified deferred compensation plan, which represents benefits accrued for participants that are part of the plan and is valued at the quoted market prices of the participants' investment election, at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company measures assets held for sale at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and records impairment charges when they are deemed to be impaired.
The fair values of the Company's other current financial assets and liabilities, includingsuch as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. The Company's outstanding debt borrowings as of December 31, 2021 were subject to a variable interest rate and short term maturities. Therefore, the fair value of these borrowings also approximates its carrying value. These assets and liabilities are measured within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company also measures certain non-financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, such as goodwill, intangible assets, operating lease right-of-use assets, and property, plant, and equipment, in connection with periodic evaluations for potential impairment.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Adopted
Income Taxes. In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This guidance simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to general principles in Income Taxes (ASC 740). It also simplifies certain aspects of accounting for franchise taxes and clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application and reduce complexity. There was no material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company upon adoption of the standard during the first quarter of 2021.
Pending Adoption
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). The standard provides temporary guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform primarily resulting from the discontinuationcessation of the publication of certain tenors of the London Interbank Overnight ("LIBO") rate which is currently expected to occur on December 31, 2021. The Company's $250.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Facility"), as further described in Note 8 to2021, with complete elimination of the consolidated and combined financial statements in the 2020 Annual Report, currently referencespublication of the LIBO rate for determining interest payable on outstanding borrowings.by June 30, 2023. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 are elective and apply to all entities that have contracts referencing the LIBO rate.
The new guidance providesCompany's outstanding debt borrowing as of December 31, 2021 included an expedient which simplifies accounting analyses under current GAAP for contract modifications if the change is directly related toelection of a change from the LIBO rate that has not yet eliminated. Also, as further described in Note 6 to a new interest rate index. The Company will adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2022, and is continuing to evaluate the provisions of ASU 2020–04 and the impacts of transitioning to an alternative rate; however, we do not expect it to have a material impact to the Company'sthese condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company modified its debt agreement in conjunction with the acquisition of BrandsMart. Borrowings under the new debt agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of the Company, (i) the forward-looking term rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus an applicable margin ranging between 1.50% and 2.25%, based on the Company's Total Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio (as defined in the debt agreement), or to any key terms of our Revolving Facility other(ii) the base rate plus an applicable margin, which is 1.00% lower than the discontinuationapplicable margin for SOFR loans. Therefore, there is no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the LIBO rate.Company related to the adoption of ASU 2020-04.
1514


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 2. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table summarizes financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(In Thousands)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 1Level 2Level 3 Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 1Level 2Level 3
Deferred Compensation LiabilityDeferred Compensation Liability$$(10,349)$$$(10,450)$Deferred Compensation Liability$— $(9,646)$— $— $(10,930)$— 
The Company maintains The Aaron's Company, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, which is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan for a select group of management, highly compensated employees and non-employee directors. The liability represents benefits accrued for plan participants and is valued at the quoted market prices of the participants’ investment elections, which consist of equity and debt "mirror" funds. As such, the Company has classified the deferred compensation liability as a Level 2 liability, which is recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
The following table summarizes non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(In Thousands)March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 1Level 2Level 3
Assets Held for SaleAssets Held for Sale$$8,925 $$$8,956 $Assets Held for Sale$— $1,910 $— $— $1,550 $— 
Assets classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell, and any adjustment is recorded in other operating expenses, net or restructuring expenses, net (if the asset is a part of the Company's restructuring programs as described in Note 5)5 to these condensed consolidated financial statements) in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. The highest and best use of the primary components of assets held for sale isare as real estate land parcels for development or real estate properties for use or lease; however, the Company has chosen not to develop or use these properties, and plans to sell the properties to third parties as quickly as practicable.
NOTE 3: REVENUE RECOGNITION
The following table disaggregates revenue by source:
Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)20212020(In Thousands)20222021
Lease Revenues and FeesLease Revenues and Fees$427,641 $389,379 Lease Revenues and Fees$409,318 $427,641 
Retail SalesRetail Sales16,446 9,531 Retail Sales12,607 16,446 
Non-Retail SalesNon-Retail Sales29,949 26,846 Non-Retail Sales27,827 29,949 
Franchise Royalties and FeesFranchise Royalties and Fees6,710 6,723 Franchise Royalties and Fees6,118 6,710 
OtherOther308 352 Other212 308 
Total1
Total1
$481,054 $432,831 
Total1
$456,082 $481,054 
1 Includes revenues from Canadian operations of $5.9$4.9 million and $5.3$5.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively, which are primarily lease revenues and fees.
1615


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Lease Revenues and Fees
The Company provides lease merchandise, consisting primarily of furniture, home appliances, electronics, computers, and a variety of other products and accessories to its customers for lease under certain terms agreed to by the customer. The Company’s stores and its e-commerce platform offer leases with flexible ownership plans that can be renewed monthly up to 12, 18 or 24 months. The Company does not require deposits upon inception of customer agreements. The customer has the right to acquire ownership either through an early purchase option or through payment of all required lease payments through the end of the ownership plan. Our store-based operations also offer customers the option to obtain a membership in the Aaron’s Club Program.program. The benefits to customers of the Club Programprogram are separated into three general categories: (a) product protection benefits; (b) health & wellness discounts; and (c) dining, shopping and consumer savings. Lease agreements and Aaron's Club Programprogram memberships are cancelable at any time by either party without penalty, and as such, we consider these offerings to be to be month-to-month arrangements.
Lease revenues related to the leasing of merchandise net of related sales taxes, and Aaron's Club membership fees are recognized as revenue in the month they are earned. Payments received prior to the month earned are recorded as deferred lease revenue, and this amount is included in customer deposits and advance payments in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Lease payments due but not received prior to month end are recorded as accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Lease revenues are recorded net of a provision for returns and uncollectible renewal payments.
All of the Company's customer lease agreements are considered operating leases. The Company maintains ownership of the lease merchandise until all payment obligations are satisfied under sales and lease ownership agreements. Initial direct costs related to customer agreements are expensed as incurred and have been classified as other operating expenses, net in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. The statement of earnings effects of expensing the initial direct costs as incurred are not materially different from amortizing initial direct costs over the lease ownership plan.
Substantially all lease revenues and fees were within the scope of ASC 842, Leases, during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020. Included in lease revenues and fees above, the2021. The Company had $6.2$7.0 million and $6.0$6.2 million of other revenue during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively, within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.Customers, which is included in lease revenues and fees above. Lease revenues and fees are recorded within lease and retail revenues in the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings.
Retail and Non-Retail Sales
Revenues from the retail sale of merchandise to customersindividual consumers are recognized at the point of sale. Generally, the transfer of control occurs near or at the point of sale for retail sales. Revenues for the non-retail sale of merchandise to franchisees are recognized when control transfers to the franchisee, which is upon delivery of the merchandise.
Sales of lease merchandise to franchisees and to other customers are recorded within non-retail sales and lease and retail revenues, respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. All retail and non-retail sales revenue is within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020.2021.
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Franchisees pay an ongoing royalty of 6% of the weekly cash revenue payments received, which is recognized as the fees become due. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company temporarily suspended, as opposed to deferring, the royalty fee obligation in March 2020, effectively forgiving the franchisee royalty payments that otherwise would have been due during the suspension period. The Company reinstated the requirement that franchisees make royalty payments during the second quarter of 2020.
The Company guarantees certain debt obligations of some of the franchisees and receives guarantee fees based on the outstanding debt obligations of such franchisees. Refer to Note 4 to these condensed consolidated and combined financial statements for additional discussion of the franchise-related guarantee obligation. The Company also charges fees for advertising efforts that benefit the franchisees, which are recognized at the time the advertising takes place.
Substantially all franchise royalties and feesfee revenue is within the scope of ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Of the franchise royalties and fees, $5.3$4.9 million and $5.0$5.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively, is related to franchise royalty income that is recognized as the fees become due. The remaining revenue is primarily related to fees collected in prior periods for pre-opening services, which are being deferred and recognized as revenue over the agreement term, and advertising fees charged to franchisees. Franchise royalties and fees are recorded within franchise royalties and other revenuerevenues in the accompanying condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings.

1716


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE 4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Guarantees
The Company has guaranteed certain debt obligations of some of its franchisees under a franchise loan program (the "Franchise Loan Facility") as described below with several of the banks in our Revolving Facility. In the event these franchisees are unable to meet their debt service payments or otherwise experience an event of default, the Company would be unconditionally liable for the outstanding balance of the franchisees’ debt obligations under the franchisee loan program, which would be due in full within 75 days of the event of default. The Franchise Loan Facility has a total commitment of $25.0 million and expires on November 16, 2021. We are able to request additional 364-day extensions of our franchise loan facility, as long as we are not in violation of any of the covenants under that facility or our Revolving Facility, and no event of default exists under those agreements, until such time as our Revolving Facility expires. We would expect to include a franchise loan facility as part of any future extension or renewal of our Revolving Facility. At March 31, 2021, the maximum amount that the Company would be obligated to repay in the event franchisees defaulted was $17.0 million. The Company is subject to financial covenants under the Franchise Loan Facility that are consistent with the Revolving Facility, which are more fully describedfurther detail in Note 89 to the consolidated and combined financial statements inof the 20202021 Annual Report.
The Company has recourse rights to franchisee assets securing the debt obligations, which consist primarily of lease merchandise and fixed assets. Since the inception of the franchise loan program in 1994, the Company's losses associated with the program have been immaterial.insignificant. However, such losses could be material in a future period due to potential adverse trends in the liquidity and/or financial performance of the Company's franchisees resulting in an event of default or impending defaults by franchisees. At March 31, 2022, the maximum amount that the Company would be obligated to repay in the event franchisees defaulted was $7.5 million. The Company is subject to financial covenants under the Franchise Loan Facility as detailed in Note 9 to the consolidated and combined financial statements of the 2021 Annual Report. At March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all of these covenants.
The Company records a liability related to estimated future losses from repaying the franchisees' outstanding debt obligations upon any possible future events of default. This liability is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and was $2.2$2.0 million and $2.4$2.2 million at March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 2020,2021, respectively. The balances at March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 20202021 included qualitative consideration of potential losses, due toincluding uncertainties related tosurrounding the normalization of current and forecastedfuture business trends including, but not limited to, the impacts ofassociated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the corresponding unknown effect on the operations and liquidity of our franchisees.
As further described in Note 6 to these condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company entered into a new Franchise Loan Facility agreement on April 1, 2022. This new agreement reduced the total commitment under the Franchise Loan Facility from $15.0 million to $12.5 million and extended the commitment termination date to March 31, 2023.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company is party to various legal and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, certain of which have been described below. The Company establishes an accrued liability for legal and regulatory proceedings when it determines that a loss is both probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company continually monitors its litigation and regulatory exposure and reviews the adequacy of its legal and regulatory reserves on a quarterly basis. The amount of any loss ultimately incurred in relation to matters for which an accrual has been established may be higher or lower than the amounts accrued for such matters due to the inherent uncertainty in litigation, regulatory and similar adversarial proceedings, and substantial losses from these proceedings or the costs of defending them could have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s business, financial position, and results of operations.
At March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 2020,2021, the Company had accrued $0.5$1.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for pending legal and regulatory matters for which it believes losses are probable and is management’s best estimate of its exposure to loss. The Company records these liabilities in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company estimates that the aggregate range of reasonably possible loss in excess of accrued liabilities for such probable loss contingencies is between 0zero and $0.5$3.0 million.
At March 31, 2021,2022, the Company estimated that the aggregate range of loss for all material pending legal and regulatory proceedings for which a loss is reasonably possible, but less likely than probable (i.e., excluding the contingencies described in the preceding paragraph), is between 0zero and $0.5 million. Those matters for which a reasonable estimate is not possible are not included within estimated ranges and, therefore, the estimated ranges do not represent the Company’sCompany's maximum loss exposure. The Company’sCompany's estimates for legal and regulatory accruals, aggregate probable loss amounts and reasonably possible loss amounts, are all subject to the uncertainties and variables described above.
Regulatory Inquiries
In the first quarter of 2021, Aaron's, LLC, along with a number of other lease-to-own companies, received a subpoena from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (the "DFPI") requesting the production of documents regarding the Company’sCompany's compliance with state consumer protection laws. The Company is cooperatively engaging with the DFPI in response to its inquiry. Although the Company believes it is in compliance with all applicable consumer protection laws and regulations in California, this inquiry ultimately could lead to an enforcement action and/or a consent order, and substantial costs, including legal fees, fines, penalties, and remediation expenses.
1817


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Other Contingencies
Management regularly assesses the Company’sCompany's insurance deductibles, monitors litigation and regulatory exposure with the Company’sCompany's attorneys, and evaluates its loss experience. The Company also enters into various contracts in the normal course of business that may subject it to risk of financial loss if counterparties fail to perform their contractual obligations.
NOTE 5. RESTRUCTURING
Real Estate Repositioning and Optimization Restructuring Program
During the first quarter of 2020, the Company initiated a real estate repositioning and optimization restructuring program. This program includes a strategic plan to remodel, reposition, and consolidate our company-operatedCompany-operated store footprint over the next 3three to 4four years. We believe that such strategic actions will allow the Company to continue to successfully serve our markets while continuing to utilize our growing Aarons.com shopping and servicing platform. Management expects that this strategy, along with our increased use of technology, will enable us to reduce store count while retaining a significant portion of our existing customer relationships as well as attract new customers. Since initiation, the program has resulted in the closure, consolidation, or relocation of 106 company-operated164 Company-operated stores during 2020, 2021 and the first three months of 2021. We2022. As of March 31, 2022, we have identified approximately 85 additional63 remaining stores for closure, consolidation, or relocation that have not yet been closed and vacated, nearly all of which are expected to be vacated by December 31, 2021.close during 2022. We also further rationalized our home office and fieldstore support center staff, which resulted in a reduction in employee headcount in those areas to more closely align with current business conditions.
Total net restructuring expenses of $3.1$3.3 million were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 20212022, primarily all of which were incurred under the real estate repositioning and optimization restructuring program. Restructuring expenses were comprised mainly of operating lease right-of-use asset and fixed asset impairment charges related to the vacancy or planned vacancy of the stores identified for closure, as well as continuing variable occupancy costs incurred related to closed stores.
In addition to the restructuring expenses incurred during the first quarter as discussed above, the Company expects to incur restructuringstores and severance charges of approximately $2.6 million under the real estate repositioning and optimization program through December 31, 2021 specifically related to the accelerated amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets and accelerated depreciation of fixed assets for stores that have been identified for closure, but have not yet closed and been vacated. Furthermore, asreductions in store support center headcount.
As management continues to execute on its long-term plan, additional restructuring charges willare expected to result from our real estate repositioning and optimization initiatives, primarily related to operating lease right-of-use asset and fixed asset impairments. However, the extent of future restructuring charges is not estimable at this time as the specific store locations to be closed and/or consolidated, beyondrelocation sites, with the storesexception of those sites noted above, have not yet been identified by management. Additionally, we expect future restructuring expenses (reversals) due to potential future early buyouts of leases with landlords, as well as continuing variable occupancy costs related to closed stores.
2019 Restructuring Program
During the first quarter of 2019, the Company initiated a restructuring program to optimize its company-operated Aaron's Business store portfolio, which resulted in the closure and consolidation of 155 underperforming company-operated stores during 2019. The Company also rationalized its store support center and field support staff, which resulted in a reduction in associate headcount in those areas to more closely align with current business conditions.
19


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Total net restructuring expenses of $0.2 million were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2021 under the 2019 restructuring program. Restructuring expenses were comprised of continuing variable occupancy costs incurred related to closed stores. These costs were included in restructuring expenses, net in the condensed consolidated and combined statements of earnings. We expect future restructuring expenses (reversals) due to potential future early buyouts of leases with landlords as well as continuing variable occupancy costs.
The following table summarizes restructuring charges for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively, under both of the Company's restructuring programs:
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands)20212020
Right-of-Use Asset Impairment$1,871 $15,742 
Operating Lease Charges1,091 1,449 
Fixed Asset Impairment321 2,689 
Severance37 2,031 
Other Expenses121 375 
Total Restructuring Expenses, Net1
$3,441 $22,286 
1 Includes expenses related to our 2016 and 2017 restructuring programs as described within Note 11 to the consolidated and combined financial statements in the 2020 Annual Report, which were not significant during the three months ended March 31, 2021.
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In Thousands)20222021
Right-of-Use Asset Impairment$1,178 $1,871 
Operating Lease Charges1,442 1,091 
Fixed Asset Impairment245 321 
Severance418 37 
Other Expenses113 121 
Net Gain on Sale of Store Properties and Related Assets(61)— 
Total Restructuring Expenses, Net$3,335 $3,441 
To date, the Company has incurred charges of $45.4 million under the 2019 restructuring program, and $37.1$44.7 million under the real estate repositioning and optimization restructuring program. These cumulative charges are primarily comprised of operating lease right-of-use asset and fixed impairment charges, losses recognized related to contractual lease obligations, and severance related to reductions in store support center and field support staff headcount.
18


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
The following table summarizes the balances of the accruals for the restructuring programs, which are recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the activity for the three months ended March 31, 2021:2022 and the corresponding accrual balance as of March 31, 2022 for the restructuring programs:
(In Thousands)Severance
Balance at January 1, 20212022$773 
Restructuring Severance Charges37418 
Payments(688)(32)
Balance at March 31, 20212022$122386 
NOTE 6. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
BrandsMart U.S.A. Acquisition
On April 1, 2022, the Company completed the previously announced acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of BrandsMart. BrandsMart is one of the leading appliance and consumer electronics retailers in the southeast United States and one of the largest appliance retailers in the country, with 10 stores in Florida and Georgia and a growing e-commerce presence on brandsmartusa.com. The Company paid total consideration of approximately $230 million in cash under the terms of the agreement and additional amounts for working capital adjustments and transaction related fees, subject to certain closing adjustments. The Company is in the process of completing the preliminary purchase price allocation associated with the BrandsMart acquisition and expects to establish preliminary fair values of intangibles, goodwill, and other assets and liabilities acquired by the end of the second quarter of 2022.
Debt Arrangements
To finance the BrandsMart transaction, on April 1, 2022 the Company entered into a new unsecured credit facility (the "Credit Facility") which replaced its previous $250 million unsecured credit facility dated as of November 9, 2020 (as amended, the "Previous Credit Facility"). The Previous Credit Facility is further described in Note 7 to the consolidated and combined financial statements of the 2021 Annual Report. The Credit Facility provides for a $175 million term loan (the "Term Loan") and a $375 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Facility"), which includes (i) a $35 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit on customary terms, and (ii) a $35 million sublimit for swing line loans on customary terms. The Company pays a commitment fee on unused balances related to the revolving facility, which ranges from 0.20% to 0.30% as determined by the Company's ratio of total net debt to EBITDA (as defined by the agreement). The Company borrowed $175 million under the Term Loan and $117 million under the Revolving Facility to finance the BrandsMart U.S.A. acquisition.
On April 1, 2022, the Company utilized the proceeds from the $175 million Term Loan and $117 million of borrowings under the Revolving Facility to finance the purchase price for the BrandsMart acquisition and other customary acquisition and financing-related closing costs and adjustments. The Company expects that additional borrowings under the Revolving Facility will be used to provide for working capital and capital expenditures, to finance future permitted acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes.
Borrowings under the Revolving Facility and the Term Loan bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of the Company, (i) the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR plus an applicable margin ranging between 1.50% and 2.25%, based on the Company's Total Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio, or (ii) the base rate plus an applicable margin, which is 1.00% lower than the applicable margin for SOFR loans.
The loans and commitments under the Revolving Facility mature or terminate on April 1, 2027. The Term Loan amortizes in quarterly installments, commencing on December 31, 2022, in an aggregate annual amount equal to (i) 2.50% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan during the first and second years after the closing date, (ii) 5.00% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan during the third, fourth and fifth years after the closing date, with the remaining principal balance of the Term Loan to be due and payable in full on April 1, 2027.
19


THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Franchise Loan Facility Amendment
On April 1, 2022, the Company also entered into a new $12.5 million unsecured franchise loan facility (the "Franchise Loan Facility"), which replaced its previous $15.0 million amended and restated unsecured franchise loan facility dated as of November 10, 2021. The Franchise Loan Facility operates as a guarantee by the Company and certain of its existing and future direct and indirect U.S. subsidiaries of certain debt obligations of some of the sales and lease ownership franchisees of the Company under a franchise loan program.
In the event these franchisees are unable to meet their debt service payments or otherwise experience an event of default, the Company would be unconditionally liable for the outstanding balance of the franchisees’ debt obligations under the Franchise Loan Facility, which would be due in full within 90 days of such event of default. Borrowings under the Franchise Loan Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to SOFR plus an applicable margin ranging between 1.50% and 2.25%, based on the Company's Total Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio (as defined in the Franchise Loan Facility). The Franchise Loan Facility is available for a period of 364 days commencing on April 1, 2022, and permits Borrower to request extensions for additional 364-day periods.
The Credit Facility and the Franchise Loan Facility contain customary financial covenants including (a) a maximum Total Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio of 2.75 to 1.00 and (b) a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.75 to 1.00.
20


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and plans, which involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe," "expect," "expectation," "anticipate," "may," "could," "should", "intend," "belief," "estimate," "plan," "target," "project," "likely," "will," "forecast,", "future", "outlook," and similar expressions. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the filing date of this Quarterly Report and which involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forthexpressed in or implied by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include factors such as (i) the uncertainty regarding theany ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic due to new variants or efficacy and rate of vaccinations, as well as related measures taken by governmental or regulatory authorities to combat the pandemic, including uncertainty regarding the nature and extent of the impact of recentfederal vaccine mandates on our workforce and whether additional government stimulus payments or supplemental unemployment benefits on our customers,will be approved, and the nature, amount and timing of any such future payments or benefits, including the impact of the pandemic and such measures on: (a) demand for the lease-to-own products offered by us, (b) our customers, including their ability and willingness to satisfy their obligations under their lease agreements, (c) our suppliers’ ability to provide us with the merchandise we need to obtain from them, (d) our employees and labor needs, including our ability to adequately staff our operations, (e) our financial and operational performance, and (f) our liquidity;benefits; (ii) the possibility that the operational, strategic and shareholder value creation opportunities expected from the separation and spin-off of the Aaron’s Business (as defined below) into what is now The Aaron’s Company, Inc. may not be achieved in a timely manner, or at all; (iii) the failure of that separation to qualify for the expected tax treatment; (iv) the risk that the Company may fail to realize the benefits expected from the acquisition of BrandsMart, including projected synergies; (v) risks related to the disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the acquisition: (vi) failure to promptly and effectively integrate the BrandsMart acquisition; (vii) the effect of the acquisition on our ongoing results and businesses and on the ability of Aaron's and BrandsMart to retain and hire key personnel or maintain relationships with suppliers; (viii) changes in the enforcement and interpretation of existing laws and regulations and the adoption of new laws and regulations that may unfavorably impact our business; (v)(ix) legal and regulatory proceedings and investigations, including those related to consumer protection laws and regulations, customer privacy, third party and employee fraud and information security; (vi)(x) the risks associated with our strategy and strategic priorities not being successful, including our e-commerce and real estate repositioning and optimization initiatives or being more costly than anticipated; (vii)(xi) risks associated with the challenges faced by our business, including the commoditization of consumer electronics and our high fixed-cost operating model; (viii)(xii) increased competition from traditional and virtual lease-to-own competitors, as well as from traditional and online retailers and other competitors; (ix)(xiii) financial challenges faced by our franchisees, which we believe may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental or regulatory measures to combat the pandemic; (x)franchisees; (xiv) increases in lease merchandise write-offs especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse economic impacts, as well as the potential limited duration and impact of stimulus and other government payments made by the Federalfederal and Statestate governments to counteract the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; (xv) the availability and prices of supply chain resources, including products and transportation; and (xvi) the other risks and uncertainties discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20202021 (the "2020"2021 Annual Report") and under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of Part II of this Form 10-Q below.. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the filing date of this Quarterly Report.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, including the notes to those statements, appearing elsewhere in this report. We also suggest that management’s discussion and analysis appearing in this report be read in conjunction with the management’s discussion and analysis and the consolidated and combined financial statements included in our 20202021 Annual Report.
21


Description of Spin-off Transaction
On October 16, 2020, management of Aaron’s, Inc. finalized the formation of a new holding company structure in anticipation of the separation and distribution transaction described below. Under the holding company structure, Aaron’s, Inc. became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of a newly formed company, Aaron’s Holdings Company, Inc. Aaron's, Inc. was subsequently converted to a limited liability company ("Aaron’s, LLC") holding the assets and liabilities historically associated with the historical Aaron's Business segment (the "Aaron's Business"). Upon completion of the holding company formation, Aaron’s Holdings Company, Inc. became the publicly traded parent company of the Progressive Leasing, Aaron’s Business, and Vive segments.
On November 30, 2020 (the "separation and distribution date"), Aaron's Holdings Company, Inc. completed the previously announced separation of the Aaron's Business segment (the "Aaron's Business") from its Progressive Leasing and Vive segments and changed its name to PROG Holdings, Inc. (referred to herein as "PROG Holdings" or "Former Parent"). The separation of the Aaron's Business segment was effected through a distribution (the "separation", the "separation and distribution", or the "spin-off transaction") of all outstanding shares of common stock of a newly formed company called The Aaron's Company, Inc., a Georgia corporation ("Aaron's", "The Aaron's Company" or the "Company""the Company"), a Georgia corporation, to the PROG Holdings shareholders of record as of November 27, 2020. Upon the separation and distribution, Aaron's, LLC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Aaron's Company, Inc. Shareholders of PROG Holdings received one share of The Aaron's Company, Inc. for every two shares of PROG Holdings' common stock. Upon completion of the separation and distribution transaction, The Aaron's Company, Inc. became an independent, publicly traded company under the ticker "AAN" on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").Company.
Unless the context otherwise requires or we specifically indicate otherwise, references to "we," "us," "our," "our"the Company," and "the Company""Aaron's" refer to The Aaron's Company, Inc., which holds, directly or indirectly, the Aaron’s Business prior to the separation and distribution date. References to "the Company", "Aaron's, Inc.", or "Aaron's Holdings Company, Inc." for periods prior to the separation and distribution date refer to transactions, events, and obligations of Aaron's, Inc. which took place prior to the separation and distribution. Historical amounts herein include revenues and costs directly attributable to The Aaron's Company, Inc. and an allocation to the Company of expenses
Further details of the Aaron's Business related to certain PROG Holdings' corporate functions prior tospin-off transaction are discussed in Part I, Item 1, of the separation and distribution date.2021 Annual Report.
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Business Overview
The Aaron's Company, Inc. is a leading, technology-enabled, omni-channel provider of lease-to-own ("LTO") and retail purchase solutions generally focused onof appliances, electronics, furniture, and other home goods. Since its founding in 1955, Aaron's has been committed to serving the large, credit-challenged segment ofoverlooked and underserved customer with a dedication to inclusion and improving the population.communities in which it operates. Through our portfolio of approximately 1,300 stores and our Aarons.com e-commerce platform, we provide consumers with LTO and purchase solutions for the products they need and want, including furniture, appliances, electronics, computers andwith a variety of other products and accessories. We focus on providing our customers with unparalleled customer service and an attractive value proposition, including lowcompetitive monthly payments and total cost of ownership, as compared to other LTO providers, high approval rates, and flexible lease ownership plans.plan flexibility. In addition, we offerthe Company's business includes the operations of Woodhaven Furniture Industries ("Woodhaven"), which manufactures and supplies the majority of the bedding and a significant portion of the upholstered furniture leased and sold in Company-operated and franchised stores.
BrandsMart U.S.A. Acquisition
On April 1, 2022, the Company completed the previously announced transaction to acquire a 100% ownership of Interbond Corporation of America, doing business as BrandsMart U.S.A. ("BrandsMart"). Founded in 1977, BrandsMart is one of the leading appliance and consumer electronics retailers in the southeast United States and one of the largest appliance retailers in the country with ten stores in Florida and Georgia and a growing e-commerce presence on brandsmartusa.com. The Company paid total consideration of approximately $230 million in cash under the terms of the agreement and additional amounts for working capital adjustments and transaction related fees, subject to certain closing adjustments. The Company's financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and comparable prior periods do not include the results of BrandsMart, which will be included in the condensed consolidated financial statements during the second quarter of 2022.
Management believes that the acquisition will strengthen Aaron's ability to deliver on its mission of enhancing people's lives by providing easy access to high quality furniture, appliances, electronics, and other home goods through affordable lease to own and retail purchase options. Management believes that value-creation opportunities include leveraging Aaron's lease-to-own expertise to provide BrandsMart's customers enhanced payment options and offering a wide selection of BrandsMart product selection, and for our lease customers we offer free prompt delivery, setup, service and product returns, and the abilityassortment to pause, cancel or resume lease contracts at any time with no additional costs to the customer.millions of Aaron’s customers.
Recent Store Restructuring Programs and Franchisee Acquisitions
As a result of our real estate repositioning strategy and other cost-reduction initiatives, we initiated a restructuring programprograms in 2019 and 2020 to optimize our company-operatedCompany-operated store portfolio. Thisportfolio via our GenNext store concept, which features larger showrooms and/or re-engineered store layouts, increased product selection, technology-enabled shopping and checkout, and a refined operating model. These restructuring program hasprograms have resulted in the closure, consolidation or relocation of a total of 106 company-operated stores319 Company-operated store locations during 2019, 2020, 2021 and the first three months of 2021. We also further rationalized our home office2022.
During the first quarter of 2022, the Company opened 19 new GenNext locations. Combined with the 116 locations open at the beginning of the year, total GenNext stores contributed 13.2% of total lease and field support staff,retail revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022, we have identified approximately 63 remaining stores for closure, consolidation, or relocation that have not yet been closed and vacated, nearly all of which resulted in a reduction in employee headcount in those areas to more closely align with current business conditions. We currently expectare expected to close consolidate, or relocate approximately 85 additional stores by December 31, 2021 under this program. Additionally, from 2016 to 2019, we closed and consolidated a total of 294 underperforming company-operated stores under similar restructuring initiatives.during 2022. We will continue to evaluate our company-operatedCompany-operated store portfolio to determine how to best rationalize and reposition our store base to better align with marketplace demand.
UnderWhile not all specific locations have been identified under the real estate repositioning and optimization restructuring program, though all specific locations have not yet been identified, the Company’sCompany's current strategic plan is to remodel, reposition and consolidate our company-operatedCompany-operated store footprint over the next 3three to 4four years. We believe that such strategic actions will allow the Company to continue to successfully serve our markets while continuing to utilize our growing Aarons.com shopping and servicing platform. Management expects that this strategy, along with our increased use of technology, will enable us to reduce store count while retaining a significant portion of our existing customer relationships and attract new customers. To the extent that management executes on its long-term strategic plan, additional restructuring charges will likely result from our real estate repositioning and optimization initiatives, primarily related to operating lease right-of-use asset and fixed asset impairments. However, the extent of future restructuring charges is not estimable at this time, as specific store locations to be closed and/or consolidated, beyond the stores noted above, have not yet been identified by management.
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Recent Developments and Operational Measures Taken by Us in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic. As a result ofOur business continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we temporarily closed our showrooms in March 2020 and shifted to e-commerce and curbside service only for all of our company-operated stores to protect the health and safety of our customers and associates, except where such curbside service was prohibited by governmental authorities. Since that time,pandemic. While we have reopened our store showrooms butfollowing temporary closures of our showrooms in March 2020, there can be no assurance that those showrooms will not be closed in future months, or have their operations limited,limited. For example, we may be required to close showrooms or limit operations in future months if for example, there are new variants of the virus, vaccine efficacy weakens or we experience localized increases in infections or "additional waves" in the number of COVID-19 cases in the areas where our stores are located and, in response, governmental authorities issue orders requiring such closures or limitations on operations, or we voluntarily close our showrooms or limit their operations to protect the health and safety of our customers and associates.team members. Furthermore, we are experiencinghave continued to experience disruptions in our supply chain which have impacted product availability in some of our stores and, in some situations, we are procuring inventory from alternative sources at higher costs. These developments could have had an unfavorable impact on our generation of lease agreements.
TheAs a result, the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to impact our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and/or cash flow in future periods. The extent of any such impacts likely would depend on several factors, including (a) the length and severity of any continuing impact of the pandemic, which may be impactedaffected by the impact of federal vaccination mandates on our workforce and the successful distribution and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines to our customers and associates,team members, as well as any new variants of the virus, localized outbreaks or additional waves of COVID-19 cases, among other factors; (b) the impact of any such outbreaks on our customers, suppliers, and employees;team members; (c) the nature of any government orders issued in response to such outbreaks, including whether we would be deemed essential, and thus, exempt from all or some portion of such orders; (d) the extent of the impact of additional government stimulus and/or enhanced unemployment benefits to our customers in response to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the nature, timing and amount of any such stimulus payments or benefits; and (e) supply chain disruptions for our business.in the markets in which we operate.
The following summarizes significant developments and operational measures taken by us in response to the COVID-19 pandemic:
InWe maintain a comprehensive Program & Policy that is updated regularly to adapt to the ever changing COVID-19 landscape, which covers our company-operated stores, we are following the guidance of health authorities, including requiring associatesprevention controls, support for getting vaccinated, reporting and responding to wear maskscases, and observe social distancing practices. return-to-work criteria.
We have also installed protective plexiglass barriers at check-out counters, implemented enhanced cleaningestablished a COVID-19 Task Force, with executive oversight, that meets regularly to ensure that our response to the fluid pandemic is timely and sanitization procedures,effective to ensure the safety of our associates and reconfiguredcustomers to the best of our showrooms in a manner designedability.
We track internal and external COVID-19 case trends to reduce COVID-19 transmission.ensure our response efforts are adjusted based on regional and national needs across our footprint.
In conjunction with the operational adjustments made at our company-operatedCompany-operated stores, fulfillment centers, service centers, manufacturing, and Store Support Center operations, we accelerated the national rollout of our centralized digital decisioning platform, which is an algorithm-driven lease decisioning tool used in our company-operated stores that is designedare monitoring for and adhering to improve our customers' experiences by streamliningapplicable federal and standardizing the lease application decisioning process, shortening transaction times,state laws, Occupational Safety and establishing appropriate transaction sizesHealth Administration regulations and lease payment amounts, given the customer’s profile. We completed the national rollout during the second quarter of 2020,Center for Disease Control ("CDC") and that decisioning platform is now being utilized in all of our company-operated and most of our franchised store locations in the United States.
To assist the franchisees of our business who were facing adverse impacts to their businesses, we offered a royalty fee abatement from March 8, 2020 until May 16, 2020 and modified payment terms on outstanding accounts receivable owed to us by franchisees. In addition, payment terms were temporarily modified for the franchise loan facility under which certain franchisees have outstanding borrowings that are guaranteed by us.
Our management team and store support associates are continuing to work remotely for the near future. Additionally, we reduced our corporate real estate footprint by electing to permanently vacate one of our leased administrative offices in Kennesaw, Georgia during the fourth quarter of 2020.state/local health authorities.
Coronavirus Legislative Relief
In response to the global impacts of COVID-19 on U.S. companies and citizens, the government enacted the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") on March 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act on December 27, 2020, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ("American Rescue Plan") on March 11, 2021. We believe a significant portion of our customers have received government stimulus payments and/or federally supplemented unemployment payments, pursuant to these economic stimulus measures, which we believe have enabled them to continue making payments to us under their lease-to-own agreements, despite the economically challenging times resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition
The Company utilized tax relief options available to Company under the stimulus payments mentioned above, we also believe that certain elementsCARES Act. As of March 31, 2022 the American Rescue Plan, primarily the temporary expansionCompany has a remaining liability of the child tax credit which increases the amount of the credit, makes the credit fully refundable, and allows$10.6 million related to 2020 payroll taxes eligible for half of the credit to be paid in periodic installments beginning during the second half of 2021, should have a beneficial impact to our customers, though the extent and timing of any such benefit is currently unknown. Additionally, we may experience an increase in the exercise of early purchase options or decreases in the total number of new ownership plans, as customers could potentially opt to use such payments and credits to acquire merchandise outside of our LTO solutions.deferral through December 31, 2022.
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The CARES Act included several tax relief options for companies, which resulted in the following provisions available to the Company:
Aaron's, Inc. elected to carryback its 2018 net operating losses of $242.2 million to 2013, generating a refund of $84.4 million, which was received in July 2020, and a discrete income tax benefit of $34.2 million recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The discrete tax benefit is the result of the federal income tax rate differential between the current statutory rate of 21% and the 35% rate applicable to 2013.
Throughout 2020, the Company deferred $16.5 million in payroll taxes that it was permitted to defer under the CARES Act, which generally applies to Social Security taxes otherwise due, with 50% of the tax payable on December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% payable on December 31, 2022.
Certain wages and benefits that were paid to furloughed employees are eligible for an employee retention credit of up to 50% of wages paid to eligible associates.
Separate from the CARES Act, the IRS extended the due dates for estimated tax payments for the first and second quarters of 2020 to July 15, 2020. Additionally, many states offered similar deferrals. The Company took advantage of all such extended due dates.
The federal supplement to unemployment payments originally lapsed on July 31, 2020, but has been extended on a prospective basis through September 2021. The current nature and/or extent of future stimulus measures, if any, remains unknown. We cannot be certain that our customers will continue making their payments to us at recently experienced levels if the federal government does not continue supplemental measures or enact additional stimulus measures, which could result in a significant reduction in the portion of our customers who continue making payments owed to us under their lease-to-own agreements.
Highlights
The following summarizes significant financial highlights from the three months ended March 31, 2021:2022:
We reported revenues of $481.1$456.1 million in the first quarter of 20212022 compared to $432.8$481.1 million for the first quarter of 2020, an increase2021, a decrease of 11.1%5.2%. This increasedecrease is primarily due to a 14.8% increase4.3% decrease in same store revenues, partially offset by the planned net reduction of 78 company-operated storeswhich contributed to a $15.5 million decrease in lease and the reduction of 88 franchised stores during the 15-month period ended March 31, 2021.retail revenues. The increasedecrease in same store revenues was primarily driven by the expected normalization in the lease renewal rate and lower early purchase options exercised, driven by a government stimulus-aided first quarter of 2021. This decrease was partially offset by a larger same store lease portfolio size, which ended the fourth quarter of 20202021 at $86.3$111.2 million, up 3.3%5.4% compared to 2019,the end of the fourth quarter of 2020, and ended the first quarter of 20212022 at $85.7$107.7 million, up 6.2%2.9% compared to the first quarter of 2020,2021. E-commerce revenues increased 3.9% compared to the prior year quarter and were 15.4% and 14.3% of total lease revenues and fees during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
During the first quarter of 2022, the Company opened 19 new GenNext locations. Combined with the 116 locations open at the beginning of the year, total GenNext stores contributed 13.2% of total lease and retail revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Earnings before income taxes were $28.9 million in the first quarter of 2022 compared to $48.6 million during the prior comparable period. Earnings before income taxes during the first quarter of 2022 were negatively impacted by BrandsMart acquisition transaction costs of $3.5 million, restructuring charges of $3.3 million and separation-related costs of $0.5 million. Earnings before income taxes for the first quarter of 2021 were negatively impacted by separation-related costs of $4.4 million and restructuring charges of $3.4 million.
Earnings before income taxes were also impacted by the provision for lease merchandise write-offs as a percentage of lease revenues and fees, which increased to 5.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to 3.1% for the comparable period in 2021. During the first quarter of 2022, the Company continued to experience the normalization of customer payment activity that started during the third and fourth quarters of 2021 following historically strong customer payment activity including retail salesexperienced throughout 2020 and early purchase option exercises. Wecontinuing into the three months ended March 31, 2021, which we believe this was due in part to (a) operational investments including the national rollout of our centralized digital decisioning platform and digital customer onboarding; (b) new direct to consumer marketing programs in both in-store and e-commerce channels; (c)partially driven by government stimulus payments and supplemental federal unemployment benefits received by a significant portion of our customers;customers during 2020 and (d) lower prior period revenues caused by the temporary closure of our showrooms and a shift to e-commerce and curbside service only for all of our company-operated stores as described above in March of 2020.2021.
Earnings before income taxes were $48.6 million inNet earnings for the first quarter of 20212022 were $21.5 million compared to losses before income taxes of $470.3$36.3 million duringin the prior comparable period, due primarily to a goodwill impairment charge of $446.9 million incurred duringyear period. Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2020. Earnings before income taxes during2022 were $0.68 compared with diluted earnings per share of $1.04 in the first quarter of 2021 were negatively impacted by spin-related separation costs of $4.4 million and restructuring charges of $3.4 million. In addition to the goodwill impairment charge mentioned above, operating results from the first quarter of 2020 were negatively impacted by a $14.7 million charge related to an early termination fee for a sales and marketing agreement and restructuring charges of $22.3 million. We also recognized $5.7 million of incremental allowances during the first quarter of 2020 for lease merchandise write-offs, franchisee accounts receivable, and reserves on the franchise loan guarantees due to the potential adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.prior year period.
We recorded income tax expenseThe Company repurchased 261,924 shares of $12.3common stock for $5.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 20212022. The total shares outstanding as of March 31, 2022 were 30,963,018, compared to a net income tax benefit34,169,998 as of $146.5March 31, 2021. Since March 31, 2021, we repurchased 3.6 million during the first quartershares, which represents 10.5% of 2020. The net income tax benefit recognized in 2020 was primarily the result of losses before income taxes of $470.3 million as well as a $34.2 million net tax benefit generated by a net operating loss carryback that the Company recorded pursuant to the provisions of the CARES Act, as further discussed above.March 31, 2021 stock outstanding.
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Key Metrics
Lease Portfolio Size. Our lease portfolio size represents the total balance of collectible lease payments for the next month derived from our aggregate outstanding customer lease agreements at a point in time. As of the end of any period,month, the lease portfolio size is calculated as the lease portfolio size at the beginning of the period plus collectible lease payments for the next month derived from new lease agreements originated in the period less the reduction in collectible lease payments for the next month as a result primarily of customer agreements that reach full ownership, lease merchandise returns and write-offs, and customer early purchase option exercises. Lease portfolio size provides management insight into expected future collectible lease payments. The Company ended the first quarter of 20212022 with a lease portfolio size for all Company operatedCompany-operated stores of $128.8$131.7 million, an increase of 3.6%2.3% compared to the balancelease portfolio size as of March 31, 2020.2021.
Lease Renewal Rate.Our lease renewal rate for any given period represents the weighted average of the monthly lease renewal rates for each month in the period. The monthly lease renewal rate for any month is calculated by dividing (i) the recurring lease revenues related to leased merchandise for such month by (ii) the lease portfolio size as of the beginning of such month. The lease renewal rate provides management insight into the Company's success in retaining current customers within our customer lease portfolio over a given period and provides visibility into expected future customer lease payments and the related lease revenue. The lease renewal rate for the first quarter of 2022 was 89.4%, compared to 92.5% in the government stimulus-aided first quarter of 2021.
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Same Store Revenues. We believe that changes in same store revenues are a key performance indicator of the Company, as it provides management insight into our ability to collect customer payments, including contractually due payments and early purchase options exercised by our current customers. Additionally, this indicator allows management to gain insight into the Company's success in writing new leases into and retaining current customers. customers within our customer lease portfolio.
For the three months ended March 31, 2021,2022, we calculated this amount by comparing revenues for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 to revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2020comparable period in 2021 for all stores open for the entire 15-month period ended March 31, 2021,2022, excluding stores that received lease agreements from other acquired, closed or merged stores. Same store revenues increased 14.8%decreased 4.3% during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 compared to the prior year comparable period.
Seasonality
Our revenue mix is moderately seasonal. Adjusting for growth, theThe first quarter of each year generally has higher lease renewal rates and corresponding lease revenues than any other quarter. ThisOur customers will also more frequently exercise the early purchase option on their existing lease agreements or purchase merchandise during the first quarter of the year. We believe that each is primarily due to realizing the full benefit of business that historically gradually increases in the fourth quarter as a result of the holiday season, as well as the receipt by our customers in the first quarter of federal and state income tax refunds. Our customers will more frequently exerciseIn addition, lease portfolio size typically increases gradually in the early purchase option on their existing lease agreements or purchase merchandise off the showroom floor during the firstfourth quarter as a result of the year.holiday season. We expect these trends to continue in future periods.
Due to the seasonality of our business and the extent of the impact of additional government stimulus, and/or enhanced unemployment benefits to our customers in response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as discussed above, results for any quarter or period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for any interim period or a full fiscal year.
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Key Components of Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
In this management’s discussion and analysis section, we review our condensed consolidated and combined results. The financial statements for periods prior to and through the date of the separation and distribution, November 30, 2020, were prepared on a combined standalone basis and were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of PROG Holdings. The financial statements for the periods subsequent to December 1, 2020 and throughthree months ended March 31, 20212022 and comparable prior year period are condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, each of which is wholly-owned, and is based on the financial position and results of operations of the Company as a standalone company.
The combined financial statements prepared through November 30, 2020 include all revenues and costs directly attributable to the Company and an allocation of expenses of the Aaron's Business related to certain PROG Holdings corporate functions. These expenses have been allocated to the Company based on direct usage or benefit where specifically identifiable, with the remaining expenses allocated primarily on a pro rata basis using an applicable measure of revenues, headcount or other relevant measures. The Company considers these allocations to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services or the benefit received. The combined financial statements include assets and liabilities specifically attributable to the Company. All intercompany transactions and balances within the Company have been eliminated. Transactions between the Company and PROG Holdings that took place prior to the separation and distribution have been included as invested capital within the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements.
For the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and the comparable prior year period,periods, some of the key revenue, cost and expense items that affected earnings (loss) before income taxes were as follows:
Revenues. We separate our total revenues into three components: (a) lease and retail revenues; (b) non-retail sales; and (c) franchise royalties and other revenues. Lease and retail revenues primarily include all revenues derived from lease agreements at our company-operatedCompany-operated stores and e-commerce platform, the sale of both new and returned lease merchandise from our company-operatedCompany-operated stores and fees from our Aaron's Club program. Lease and retail revenues are recorded net of a provision for uncollectible accounts receivable related to lease renewal payments from lease agreements with customers. Non-retail sales primarily represent new merchandise sales to our franchisees and, to a lesser extent, sales of Woodhaven manufactured products to third-party retailers. Franchise royalties and other revenues primarily represent fees from the sale of franchise rights and royalty payments from franchisees, as well as other related income from our franchised stores. Franchise royalties and other revenues also include revenues from leasing company-ownedCompany-owned real estate properties to unrelated third parties, as well as other miscellaneous revenues.
Cost of Lease and Retail Revenues. Cost of lease and retail revenues is primarily comprised of the depreciation expense associated with depreciating merchandise held for lease and leased to customers by our company-operatedCompany-operated stores and through our e-commerce platform. Cost of lease and retail revenues also includes the depreciated cost of merchandise sold through our company-operatedCompany-operated stores as well as the costs associated with the Aaron's Club program.
Non-Retail Cost of Sales. Non-retail cost of sales primarily represents the cost of merchandise sold to our franchisees.franchisees and, to a lesser extent, the cost of Woodhaven's manufactured products sold to third-party retailers.
Personnel Costs. Personnel costs represents total compensation costs incurred for services provided by employeesteam members of the Company, as well as an allocation of personnel costs for PROG Holdings' corporate and shared function employees for the periods prior to the separation and distribution date.Company.
Other Operating Expenses, Net. Other operating expenses, net includes occupancy costs (including rent expense, store maintenance and depreciation expense related to non-manufacturing facilities), shipping and handling, advertising and marketing, intangible asset amortization expense, professional services expense, bank and credit card related fees, an allocation of general corporate expenses from PROG Holdings for the periods prior to the separation and distribution date, and other miscellaneous expenses. Other operating expenses, net also includes gains or losses on sales of company-operatedCompany-operated stores and delivery vehicles, fair value adjustments on assets held for sale and gains or losses on other transactions involving property, plant and equipment and(to the extent such gains or losses are not related to property damage and business interruption insurance claim recoveries.assets that are a part of the Company's restructuring programs).
Provision for Lease Merchandise Write-offs.Write-Offs. Provision for lease merchandise write-offs represents charges incurred related to estimated lease merchandise write-offs.
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Restructuring Expenses, Net. Restructuring expenses, net primarily represent the cost of real estate optimization efforts and cost reduction initiatives related to the Company home office and fieldCompany's store support center functions. Restructuring expenses, net are comprised principally of closed store operating lease right-of-use asset impairment and operating lease charges, fixed asset impairment charges, and expenses related to workforce reductions.
Impairment of Goodwill. There were no impairments of goodwill recorded during the first quarter of 2021. Impairment of goodwill is the write-off of our existing goodwill balance at March 31, 2020 that was recorded in the first quarter of 2020. Refer to Note 1 to these condensed consolidated and combined financial statements for further discussions of the interim goodwill impairment assessment and resulting impairment charge.
Separation Costs. Separation costs represent employee-related expenses associated with the spin offspin-off transaction, including employee-related costs, incremental stock-based compensation expense associated with the conversion and modification of unvested and unexercised equity awards and other one-time expenses incurred by the Company in order to operatebegin operating as an independent, standalone public entity.
Acquisition-Related Costs. Acquisition-related costs primarily represent third-party consulting and legal expenses associated with the acquisition of BrandsMart in April 2022.
Interest Expense. Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022 consists primarily of interest incurredcommitment fees on the fixed and variable rate debt agreements of Aaron's, Inc. Allunused balances of the interest expense forPrevious Credit Facility (as defined below), as well as the historicalamortization of debt obligations of Aaron's, LLC have been included within the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements of The Aaron's Company, Inc. for the periods prior to the separation and distribution date because Aaron's, LLC was the primary obligor for the external debt agreements and is one of the legal entities forming the basis of The Aaron’s Company, Inc.issuance costs.
Other Non-Operating (Expense) Income, (Expense), Net. Other non-operating (expense) income, (expense), net includes the impact of foreign currency remeasurement, as well as gains and losses resulting from changes in the cash surrender value of company-ownedCompany-owned life insurance related to the Company’s deferred compensation plan. This activity also includedincludes earnings on cash and cash equivalent investments.
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Results of Operations – Three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 20202021
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Change Three Months Ended
March 31,
Change
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)20212020$%(In Thousands)20222021$%
REVENUES:REVENUES:REVENUES:
Lease and Retail RevenuesLease and Retail Revenues$444,087 $398,910 $45,177 11.3 %Lease and Retail Revenues$421,925 $444,087 $(22,162)(5.0)%
Non-Retail SalesNon-Retail Sales29,949 26,846 3,103 11.6 Non-Retail Sales27,827 29,949 (2,122)(7.1)
Franchise Royalties and Other Revenue7,018 7,075 (57)(0.8)
Franchise Royalties and Other RevenuesFranchise Royalties and Other Revenues6,330 7,018 (688)(9.8)
481,054 432,831 48,223 11.1 456,082 481,054 (24,972)(5.2)
COSTS OF REVENUESCOSTS OF REVENUESCOSTS OF REVENUES
Cost of Lease and Retail RevenuesCost of Lease and Retail Revenues151,495 142,003 9,492 6.7 Cost of Lease and Retail Revenues145,779 151,495 (5,716)(3.8)
Non-Retail Cost of SalesNon-Retail Cost of Sales26,491 23,581 2,910 12.3 Non-Retail Cost of Sales25,356 26,491 (1,135)(4.3)
177,986 165,584 12,402 7.5 171,135 177,986 (6,851)(3.8)
GROSS PROFITGROSS PROFIT303,068 267,247 35,821 13.4 GROSS PROFIT284,947 303,068 (18,121)(6.0)
Gross Profit %Gross Profit %63.0 %61.7 %Gross Profit %62.5%63.0%
OPERATING EXPENSES:OPERATING EXPENSES:OPERATING EXPENSES:
Personnel CostsPersonnel Costs124,863 115,746 9,117 7.9 Personnel Costs121,110 124,863 (3,753)(3.0)
Other Operating Expenses, NetOther Operating Expenses, Net108,366 123,065 (14,699)(11.9)Other Operating Expenses, Net104,359 108,366 (4,007)(3.7)
Provision for Lease Merchandise Write-OffsProvision for Lease Merchandise Write-Offs13,417 23,960 (10,543)(44.0)Provision for Lease Merchandise Write-Offs21,957 13,417 8,540 63.7 
Restructuring Expenses, NetRestructuring Expenses, Net3,441 22,286 (18,845)(84.6)Restructuring Expenses, Net3,335 3,441 (106)(3.1)
Impairment of Goodwill— 446,893 (446,893)              nmf
Separation CostsSeparation Costs4,390 — 4,390               nmfSeparation Costs540 4,390 (3,850)(87.7)
Acquisition-Related CostsAcquisition-Related Costs3,464 — 3,464 nmf
254,477 731,950 (477,473)(65.2)254,765 254,477 288 0.1 
OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS)48,591 (464,703)513,294               nmf
OPERATING PROFITOPERATING PROFIT30,182 48,591 (18,409)(37.9)
Interest ExpenseInterest Expense(344)(3,799)(3,455)(90.9)Interest Expense(350)(344)(6)(1.7)
Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net402 (1,759)2,161          nmf
Other Non-Operating (Expense) Income, NetOther Non-Operating (Expense) Income, Net(927)402 (1,329)nmf
EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES48,649 (470,261)518,910               nmf
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXESEARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES28,905 48,649 (19,744)(40.6)
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)12,326 (146,487)158,813               nmf
INCOME TAX EXPENSEINCOME TAX EXPENSE7,373 12,326 (4,953)(40.2)
NET EARNINGS (LOSS)$36,323 $(323,774)$360,097               nmf
NET EARNINGSNET EARNINGS$21,532 $36,323 $(14,791)(40.7)%
nmf—Calculation is not meaningful
Revenues
The following table presents revenue by source for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020:2021: 
Change
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021 vs. 2020 Three Months Ended
March 31,
Change
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)20212020$%(In Thousands)20222021$%
Lease Revenues and FeesLease Revenues and Fees$427,641 $389,379 $38,262 9.8 %Lease Revenues and Fees$409,318 $427,641 $(18,323)(4.3)%
Retail SalesRetail Sales16,446 9,531 6,915 72.6 Retail Sales12,607 16,446 (3,839)(23.3)
Non-Retail SalesNon-Retail Sales29,949 26,846 3,103 11.6 Non-Retail Sales27,827 29,949 (2,122)(7.1)
Franchise Royalties and FeesFranchise Royalties and Fees6,710 6,723 (13)(0.2)Franchise Royalties and Fees6,118 6,710 (592)(8.8)
OtherOther308 352 (44)(12.5)Other212 308 (96)(31.2)
Total RevenuesTotal Revenues$481,054 $432,831 $48,223 11.1 %Total Revenues$456,082 $481,054 $(24,972)(5.2)%
2827


LeaseThe decrease in lease revenues and fees increasedand retail sales during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 was primarily due to a 14.8% increase4.3% decrease in same store revenues, inclusive of both in-store and e-commerce originated lease revenues and fees and retail sales, andwhich represented $15.5 million of the acquisition of franchised stores during the 15-month period ended March 31, 2021, which resulted in increases of $32.7 million and $5.0 million, respectively.decrease. The increasedecrease in same store revenues was driven primarily by a largerexpected normalization in the lease renewal rate and lower exercise of early purchase options by our customers. These factors were partially offset by the increased size of our same store lease portfolio size in the quarter. During the first quarter of 2022, the Company continued to experience the normalization of customer payment activity that started during the third and fourth quarters of 2021 following historically strong customer payment activity including retail salesexperienced throughout 2020 and early purchase option exercises. Wecontinuing into the three months ended March 31, 2021, which we believe this was due in part to (a) operational investments including the national rollout of our centralized digital decisioning platform and digital customer onboarding; (b) new direct to consumer marketing programs in both in-store and e-commerce channels; (c)partially driven by government stimulus payments and supplemental federal unemployment benefits received by a significant portion of our customers;customers during 2020 and (d) lower prior period revenues caused by the temporary closure of our showrooms and a shift to e-commerce and curbside service only for all of our company-operated stores as described above in March of 2020. 2021.
E-commerce revenues increased 42%3.9% compared to the prior year quarter and were approximately 14%15.4% and 11%14.3% of total lease revenues and fees during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively.
The increasedecrease in non-retail sales is primarily due to highercomparatively lower product demand from franchisees primarily as a result of government stimulus and unemployment benefits received by franchisee customersstemming from higher customer demand during the period as well as improved advertising and operational focus, partially offsetgovernment stimulus-aided first quarter of 2021. Non-retail sales also decreased by a $4.9$1.0 million decrease relateddue to the reduction of 8812 franchised stores during the 15-month period ended March 31, 2021.2022.
In March 2020,The decrease in franchise royalties and fees is primarily the Company voluntarily closedresult of the showrooms for allreduction of its company-operated12 franchised stores and moved to an e-commerce and curbside only service model to protect the health and safety of our customers and associates, while continuing to provide our customers with the essential products they needed such as refrigerators, freezers, mattresses and computers. Since that time, we have reopened all of our store showrooms. There can be no assurances that some portion or all of those showrooms will not close in the future, whether due to COVID-19 pandemic-related government orders or voluntarily by us where we determine that such closures are necessary to protect the health and safety of our customers and associates during the COVID-19 pandemic. Any such closures or restrictions may have an unfavorable impact on the revenues and earnings in future periods, and could also have an unfavorable impact on the Company’s liquidity, as discussed below in the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section. Although nearly all of the showrooms of company-operated stores had reopened by the end of the second quarter of 2020, changing consumer behavior, such as consumers voluntarily refraining from shopping in-person at those store locations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing supply chain disruptions, particularly in appliance, furniture, and electronics, could continue to challenge new lease originations in future periods.15-month period ended March 31, 2022.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Profit
Information about the components of the cost of lease and retail revenues and non-retail sales is as follows:
Change
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2021 vs. 2020 Three Months Ended
March 31,
Change
(In Thousands)(In Thousands)20212020$%(In Thousands)20222021$%
Depreciation of Lease Merchandise and Other Lease Revenue CostsDepreciation of Lease Merchandise and Other Lease Revenue Costs$140,976 $135,141 $5,835 4.3 %Depreciation of Lease Merchandise and Other Lease Revenue Costs$136,664 $140,976 $(4,312)(3.1)%
Retail Cost of SalesRetail Cost of Sales10,519 6,862 3,657 53.3 Retail Cost of Sales9,115 10,519 (1,404)(13.3)
Non-Retail Cost of SalesNon-Retail Cost of Sales26,491 23,581 2,910 12.3 Non-Retail Cost of Sales25,356 26,491 (1,135)(4.3)
Total Costs of RevenuesTotal Costs of Revenues$177,986 $165,584 $12,402 7.5 %Total Costs of Revenues$171,135 $177,986 $(6,851)(3.8)%
Depreciation of lease merchandise and other lease revenue costs. Depreciation of lease merchandise and other lease revenue costs increaseddecreased primarily due to the decrease in lease revenues and fees as described above, a $8.0$7.3 million increase relateddecrease due to higher early purchase options exercised during the first quarter of 2021, and a $2.8$1.2 million decrease due to store closures and consolidations. This was partially offset by a $1.2 million increase as a result of a higher lease portfolio size and a $2.7 million increase due to higher inventory purchase costs, partially offset by a $3.1 million decrease driven by the planned net reduction of 78 company-operated stores during the 15-month period ended March 31, 2021 and a $1.9 million decrease related to lower levels of idle inventory.costs.
Retail cost of sales. Retail cost of sales increaseddecreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022 due to an increasethe decrease in retail sales primarily driven by government stimulus and unemployment benefits receivedthe factors discussed above, partially offset by a significant portion of our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.higher inventory purchase costs.
Non-retail cost of sales. The increasedecrease in non-retail cost of sales during the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 20202022 is primarily attributable to the increasedecrease in non-retail sales resulting from higher product demand from franchisees as a result of government stimulus and unemployment benefits receivedwhich was driven by franchisee customers during the period as well as improved advertising and operational focus,factors discussed above, partially offset by the reduction of 88 franchised stores during the 15-month period ended March 31, 2021.higher inventory purchase costs.
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Gross Profit
Gross profit for lease revenues and fees was $286.7$272.7 million and $254.2$286.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively, which represented a gross profit margin of 67.0%66.6% and 65.3%67.0% for the respective periods. The improvement in gross profit percentage was primarily driven by strong customer payment activity, product mix shift, and lower depreciation on idle inventory, partially offset by lower franchise royalties.
Gross profit for retail sales was $5.9$3.5 million and $2.7$5.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively, which represented a gross profit margin of 36.0%27.7% and 28.0%36.0% for the respective periods. The improvementdecline in gross profit percentage is primarily due to a favorablenormalization of product mix shift from retail salesand availability in the first quarter of returned merchandise2022 as compared to retail salesthe government stimulus-aided first quarter of new merchandise.2021, as well as higher inventory purchase costs in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Gross profit for non-retail sales was $3.5$2.5 million and $3.3$3.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively, which represented a gross profit percentage of 11.5%8.9% and 12.2%11.5% for the respective periods. The decline in gross profit percentage was driven by higher inventory purchase costs in 20212022 compared to the prior year comparable period.
As a percentage of total revenues, gross profit improveddeclined to 63.0%62.5% during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 compared to 61.7%63.0% for the comparable period in 2020.2021. The factors impacting the change in gross profit are discussed above.
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Operating Expenses
Personnel costs.Costs. As a percentage of total revenues, personnel costsPersonnel Costs decreased to 26.0% during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to 26.7% during the comparable period in 2020. Personnel costs increased by $9.1$3.8 million during the first quarter of 20212022 due primarily to higherlower performance-based incentive compensation, partially offset by the reduction of storehigher store-based wages and additional personnel to support center and field support staff as part of our restructuring actions throughout 2020 and 2021, a larger mix of e-commerce, and driving greater efficiencies and use of technology in our store operating model.key strategic initiatives.
Other Operating Expenses, Net. Information about certain significant components of other operating expenses, net is as follows:
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
Change
(In Thousands)20212020$%
Occupancy Costs43,309 44,263 (954)(2.2)
Shipping and Handling13,265 12,973 292 2.3 
Advertising Costs17,385 11,042 6,343 57.4 
Intangible Amortization1,684 1,842 (158)(8.6)
Professional Services3,035 19,041 (16,006)(84.1)
Bank and Credit Card Related Fees5,382 4,684 698 14.9 
Gains on Insurance Recoveries(39)— (39)              nmf
Gains on Asset and Store Dispositions and Assets Held For Sale, net(1,223)115 (1,338)              nmf
Other Miscellaneous Expenses, net25,568 29,105 (3,537)(12.2)
Other Operating Expenses, net$108,366 $123,065 $(14,699)(11.9)%
nmf—Calculation is not meaningful
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
Change
(In Thousands)20222021$%
Occupancy Costs$45,682 $43,309 $2,373 5.5 
Shipping and Handling15,253 13,265 1,988 15.0 
Advertising Costs10,700 17,385 (6,685)(38.5)
Intangible Amortization764 1,684 (920)(54.6)
Professional Services3,488 3,035 453 14.9 
Bank and Credit Card Related Fees5,562 5,382 180 3.3 
Gains on Dispositions of Store-Related Assets, net(4,450)(1,223)(3,227)(263.9)
Other Miscellaneous Expenses, net27,360 25,529 1,831 7.2 
Other Operating Expenses, net$104,359 $108,366 $(4,007)(3.7)%
As a percentage of total revenues, other operating expenses, net decreasedincreased to 22.5%22.9% for the first quarter of 20212022 from 28.4%22.5% in the same period in 2020.2021.
Occupancy costs decreasedincreased during the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily due to higher rent and related occupancy costs as well as higher depreciation of leasehold improvements associated with newer store locations under our repositioning and optimization initiatives and higher utility expense compared to last year. These increases were partially offset by lower occupancy costs due to the planned net reduction of 78 company-operated22 Company-operated stores during the 15-month period ended March 31, 2021, partially offset by higher maintenance costs.2022.
AdvertisingShipping and handling costs increased primarily due to higher fuel and distribution costs driven by inflationary pressures, partially offset by a shift towards brand-focused digital advertising spend, which reduced vendor marketing contributions.
Professional services decreased13.6% decrease in product deliveries during the first quarter of 2021three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the same period in 20202021.
Advertising costs decreased primarily due primarily to an early termination fee of $14.1 million forincrease in vendor marketing contributions eligible to be applied as a salesreduction to advertising costs and marketing agreement that was recordedlower advertising spend during the first quarter of 2020.
Bank and credit card related fees increased during the first quarter of 2021three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the same period in 2020 primarily due to higher utilization of credit and debit cards by our customers, more payments due to strong customer payment activity, and more leases in our portfolio as of March 31, 2021.
Gains on asset dispositions increased primarily due to a $1.1$3.8 million gain related to a sale and leaseback transaction of three Company-owned store properties during the three months ended March 31, 2022, partially offset by lower gains related to the sale of Company-owned vehicles.
30


vehicles in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the same period in 2021.
Other miscellaneous expenses, net primarily represent the depreciation of IT-related property, plant and equipment, software licensing expenses, franchisee-related reserves, and other expenses. The primary decrease wasincreases in this category during the three months ended March 31, 2022 were related to the reduction in the provision for franchisee-related losses during the first quarter of 2021 as compared to the prior period.higher software licensing expenses and higher travel expenses. The remaining expenses within this category did not fluctuate significantly on an individual basis versus the prior year.
Provision for lease merchandise write-offsLease Merchandise Write-Offs. The provision for lease merchandise write-offs as a percentage of lease revenues and fees decreasedincreased to 3.1%5.4% for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 compared to 6.2%3.1% for the comparable period in 2020. This decrease was primarily driven by strong customer payment activity, strong operational focus, and the impact of improved decisioning technology.2021. During the first quarter of 2020,2022, the Company recorded an incrementalcontinued to experience the normalization of customer payment activity that started during the third and fourth quarters of 2021 following historically low provision for lease merchandise write-offs percentages beginning with the second quarter of $2.7 million due to potential adverse impacts2020 and continuing throughout the first half of the COVID-19 pandemic.2021, which we believe was partially driven by government stimulus payments and supplemental federal unemployment benefits received by a significant portion of our customers. The Company's provision for lease merchandise write-offs has benefited throughout 2021 and 2022 from improved decisioning technology, strong operational focus and payment optimization .
Restructuring expenses, netExpenses, Net. Restructuring activity for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 resulted in expenses of $3.4$3.3 million, which were primarily comprised of $1.4 million of continuing variable occupancy costs incurred related to previously closed stores, $1.4 million of operating lease right-of-use asset and fixed asset impairment for Company-operated stores identified for closure and severance of $0.4 million related to reductions in store support center headcount. Restructuring expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were $3.4 million and were primarily comprised of $2.2 million of
29


operating lease right-of-use asset and fixed asset impairment for company-operated stores identified for closure during 2021 and $1.1 million of common area maintenance and other variable charges and taxes incurred related to closed stores, and $0.1 million of other restructuring related charges. Restructuring expensesstores.
Separation costs. Separation costs for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $22.3 million,2022 and 2021 primarily due to the identification of 105 stores for closure during the quarter as well as a change in estimates of future sublease activity for vacant properties which resulted in incremental expense.
Impairment of goodwill. During the first quarter of 2020, we recorded a loss of $446.9 million to fully write-off our existing goodwill balance as of March 31, 2020. Refer to Note 1 of these condensed consolidated and combined financial statements for further discussion of the interim goodwill impairment assessment and resulting impairment charge.
Separation costs. Separation costs represent expenses associated with the separation and distribution, including employee-related costs, incremental stock-based compensation expense associated with the conversion and modification of unvested and unexercised equity awards, employee-related expenses associated with the spin-off transaction and other one-time expenses incurred by the Company in order to operate as an independent, separate publicly traded Company.standalone public entity.
Acquisition-Related Costs. Acquisition-related costs primarily represent third-party consulting and legal expenses associated with the acquisition of BrandsMart.
Operating Profit (Loss)
Interest expense.Expense. Interest expense decreasedExpense increased to $0.3$0.4 million for three months ended March 31, 20212022 from $3.8$0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, which is2021. Interest expense for the resultthree months ended March 31, 2022 consists primarily of commitment fees on unused balances of the full repaymentPrevious Facility, as well as the amortization of the outstanding borrowings of $285.0 million under the previous Aaron's, Inc. revolving credit and term loan agreement and senior unsecured notes in conjunction with the separation and distribution in the fourth quarter of 2020.debt issuance costs.
Other non-operating (expense) income, (expense), net. Other non-operating (expense) income, (expense), net includes (a) the impact of foreign currency remeasurement; (b) net gains and losses resulting from changes in the cash surrender value of company-ownedCompany-owned life insurance related to the Company's deferred compensation plan; (b) the impact of foreign currency remeasurement; and (c) earnings on cash and cash equivalent investments. The changes in the cash surrender value of Company-owned life insurance resulted in net losses of $0.9 million and net gains of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Foreign currency remeasurement net gains and losses resulting from changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar and earnings on cash and cash equivalent investments were not significant during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 or 2020. The changes in the cash surrender value of Company-owned life insurance resulted in net gains of $0.4 million and net losses of $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.2021.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
The Company recorded incomeIncome tax expense of $12.3decreased to $7.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 compared to a net income tax benefit of $146.5$12.3 million for the same period in 2020. The net income tax benefit recognized2021 due to a $19.7 million decrease in the first quarter of 2020 was primarily the result of lossesearnings before income taxes, of $470.3 million duringpartially offset by an increase in the period as well as discrete tax benefits generated by the provisions of the CARES Act. The CARES Act, among other things, (a) waived the 80% taxable income limitation on the use of net operating losses which was previously set forth under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and (b) provided that net operating losses arising in a taxable year beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2021 may be treated as a carryback to each of the five preceding taxable years. Aaron's, Inc. elected to carryback its 2018 net operating losses of $242.2 million to 2013 which resulted in a discrete income tax benefit of $34.2 million recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The discrete tax benefit is the result of the federal income tax rate differential between the current statutory rate of 21% and the 35% rate applicable to 2013. The effective tax rate decreased to 25.5% in 2022 from 25.3% for the first quarter of 2021 compared to 31.2% for the same period in 2020 due primarily to the impact of the discrete income tax benefit on our 2020 book loss as described above.2021.
31


Overview of Financial Position
The major changes in the condensed consolidated balance sheet from December 31, 20202021 to March 31, 20212022 include:
Cash and cash equivalents decreased $15.1$9.3 million to $61.1$13.5 million at March 31, 2021.2022. For additional information, refer to the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section below.
Operating lease right-of-use assets decreased $9.5increased $10.0 million primarily due to additional real estate lease agreements and amendments executed during the three months ended March 31, 2022, partially offset by regularly scheduled amortization of right-of-use assets and impairment charges recorded in connection with restructuring actions,actions.
Debt decreased $10.0 million primarily due to the early buyoutrepayment of approximately 800 leased delivery vehicles,the $10.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the Previous Credit Facility during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Refer to the "Liquidity and regularly scheduled amortizationCapital Resources" section below for further details regarding the Company’s financing arrangements.
Treasury shares increased $9.3 million due primarily to the Company's repurchase of right-of-use assets.261,924 shares of common stock for $5.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
General
Our primary uses of capital consisthas historically consisted of (a) buying merchandise; (b) personnel expenditures; (c) purchases of property, plant and equipment, including leasehold improvements for our new store concept and operating model; (d) expenditures related to corporate operating activities; (e) income tax payments; and (f) expenditures for acquisitions, including franchisee acquisitions. Prior to the separationThroughout 2021 and distribution transaction, our capital requirements were financed through:
cash on hand;
cash flows from operations;
Aaron's, Inc. private debt offerings;
Aaron's, Inc. bank debt; and
Aaron's, Inc. stock offerings.
As of March 31, 2021,2022, the Company had $61.1 million ofhas also periodically repurchased common stock and paid quarterly cash and $234.4 million of availability under its $250.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Facility"). dividends.
We currently expect to finance our primary capital requirements through cash flows from operations, and as necessary, borrowings under our Revolving Facility.Facility (as defined below). As of March 31, 2022, the Company had $13.5 million of cash and $232.7 million of availability under its previous $250.0 million senior unsecured revolving credit facility. On April 1, 2022, the Company entered into a new unsecured credit facility (the "Credit Facility") which replaced its previous credit facility and is further described in Note 6 to these condensed consolidated financial statements. The Credit Facility provides for a $175 million term loan (the "Term Loan") and a $375 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Facility"), which includes (i) a $35 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit on customary terms, and (ii) a $35 million sublimit for swing line loans on customary terms. The Company borrowed $175 million under the Term Loan and $116.7 million under the Revolving Facility to finance the BrandsMart U.S.A. acquisition.
30


Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $20.2$29.1 million and $56.8$20.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. The $36.6$8.9 million decreaseincrease in operating cash flows was primarily driven by higherlower lease merchandise purchases and increases in working capital, partially offset by improved lease portfolio performance resulting from strongthe normalization of customer payment activity.activity during the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the government stimulus-aided first quarter of 2021. Other changes in cash provided by operating activities are discussed above in our discussion of results for the three months ended March 31, 2021.2022.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $23.4$17.1 million and $21.7$23.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. The $1.7$6.4 million increasedecrease in investing cash outflows was primarily due to $5.3 million higher cash outflows for purchases of property, plant and equipment, partially offset by $1.8$5.4 million higher proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and $1.9 million lower cash outflows for purchases of property, plant and equipment during the first quarter of 2021three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to the prior year period.
Cash (Used in) Provided byUsed in Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $21.3 million and $11.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, comparedrespectively, The $9.5 million increase in financing cash outflows was primarily due to cash provided by financing activitiesthe repayment of $394.7the $10.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the Previous Credit Facility during the three months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. The $406.6 million change in financing cash flows was primarily due to cash inflows during the three months ended March 31, 2020 from (i) net borrowings of debt of $305.7 million and (ii) net transfers from Former Parent of $90.5 million, compared to cash outflows during the three months ended March 31, 2021 of (i) $5.7 million in share repurchases and (ii) $3.4 million in dividends paid.2022.
Share Repurchases
At management's request, during itsDuring the first quarter, the Company repurchased 261,924 shares of Aaron’s common stock for a total purchase price of approximately $5.7 million. The total shares outstanding as of March 2021 meeting31, 2022 were 30,963,018, compared to 34,169,998 as of March 31, 2021. On March 3, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized managementincreased the share repurchase authorization to purchase$250.0 million from the Company's common stock uporiginal $150.0 million plan and extended the maturity to an aggregate amount of $150.0 million. This authorization expires on December 31, 2023.
During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company purchased 252,200 shares for $6.3 million. As2024. The remaining authorized share repurchase amount was $141.2 million as of March 31, 2021, we have the authority to purchase additional shares up to our remaining authorization limit of $143.7 million.
32


2022.
Dividends
At its March 2021 meeting, ourIn February 2022, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.10$0.1125 per share.share, which was paid to shareholders on April 5, 2022. Aggregate dividend payments for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 were $3.4$3.1 million. We expect to continue paying this quarterly cash dividend, subject to further approval from our BoardBoard. Although we expect to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend, the timing, declaration, amount and payment of Directors.future dividends to shareholders will fall within the discretion of our Board. We cannot guarantee that we will pay a dividend in the future or continue to pay any dividend.
Debt Financing
As of March 31, 2021,2022, the Company did not have any outstanding borrowings under the RevolvingPrevious Credit Facility under which all borrowings and commitments will mature or terminate on November 9, 2025.(as defined below). The total available credit under our revolving credit facilityPrevious Credit Facility as of March 31, 20212022 was $234.4$232.7 million, which was reduced by approximately $15.6$17.3 million for our outstanding letters of credit.
On April 1, 2022, the Company entered into a new unsecured credit facility (the "Credit Facility") which replaced its previous $250 million unsecured credit facility dated as of November 9, 2020 (as amended, the "Previous Credit Facility") which is further described in Note 7 to the consolidated and combined financial statements of the 2021 Annual Report. The new Credit Facility provides for a $175 million Term Loan and a $375 million Revolving Facility, which includes (i) a $35 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit on customary terms, and (ii) a $35 million sublimit for swing line loans on customary terms. The Company borrowed $175 million under the Term Loan and $117 million under the Revolving Facility to finance the BrandsMart U.S.A. acquisition.
Borrowings under the Revolving Facility and the Term Loan bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of the Company, (i) the forward-looking term rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus an applicable margin ranging between 1.50% and 2.25%, based on the Company’s Total Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility agreement), or (ii) the base rate plus an applicable margin, which is 1.00% lower than the applicable margin for SOFR loans.
The loans and commitments under the Revolving Facility mature or terminate on April 1, 2027. The Term Loan amortizes in quarterly installments, commencing on December 31, 2022, in an aggregate annual amount equal to (i) 2.50% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan during the first and second years after the closing date, (ii) 5.00% of the original principal amount of the Term Loan during the third, fourth and fifth years after the closing date, with the remaining principal balance of the Term Loan to be due and payable in full on April 1, 2027.
The Credit Facility contains customary financial covenants which include requirements that we maintain ratiosincluding (a) a maximum Total Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio of (a) fixed charge coverage of no less than 1.75:2.75 to 1.00 and (b) total net leveragea minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of no greater than 2.50:1.75 to 1.00.
31


If we fail to comply with these covenants, we will be in default under these agreements, and all borrowings outstanding could become due immediately. Under the RevolvingPrevious Credit Facility and the Franchise Loan Facility (as defined below), we may pay cash dividends in any year so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the dividend payment, we maintain compliance with our financial covenants and no event of default has occurred or would result from the payment. We are in compliance with all of these covenants at March 31, 2021.2022.
Commitments
Income Taxes
During the three months ended March 31, 2021,2022, we made net income tax payments of $0.9$0.6 million. Within the next nine months, we anticipate making estimated cash payments of $4.0 million for U.S. federal income taxes, $9.0$8.0 million for state income taxes and $0.4$0.7 million for Canadian income taxes.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which was enacted in December 2017, provides for 100% expense deduction of certain qualified depreciable assets, including lease merchandise inventory, purchased by the Company after September 27, 2017 (but would be phased down starting in 2023). Because of our sales and lease ownership model, in which the Company remains the owner of merchandise on lease, we benefit more from bonus depreciation, relatively, than traditional furniture, electronics and appliance retailers.
We estimate the deferred tax liability associated with bonus depreciation from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the prior tax legislation is approximately $129.0$147.0 million as of December 31, 2020,2021, of which approximately 75%74% is expected to reverse as a deferred income tax benefit in 20212022 and most of the remainder during 2022.2023. These amounts exclude bonus depreciation the Company will receive on qualifying expenditures after December 31, 2020.2021.
Franchise Loan Guaranty
We have guaranteed the borrowings of certain independent franchisees under a franchise loan agreement (the "Franchise Loan Facility") with banks that are parties to our Revolving Facility. TheDuring the third quarter of 2021, the Company reduced the total commitment under the Franchise Loan Facility hasfrom $25.0 million to $15.0 million. On November 10, 2021, the Company amended the Franchise Loan Facility to extend the commitment termination date thereunder from November 16, 2021 to November 15, 2022.
As further described in Note 6 to these condensed consolidated financial statements, a new Franchise Loan Facility agreement was entered into by the Company on April 1, 2022. This new agreement reduced the total commitment of $25.0under the Franchise Loan Facility, from $15.0 million to $12.5 million and expires on November 16, 2021.extended the commitment termination date to March 31, 2023. We are able to request an additional 364-day extensionsextension of our franchise loan facility,Franchise Loan Facility, as long as we are not in violation of any of the covenants under that facility or our Revolving Facility, and no event of default exists under those agreements, until such time as our Revolving Facility expires. We wouldcurrently expect to include a franchise loan facility as part of any extension or renewal of our Revolving Facility thereafter. At March 31, 2021,2022, the maximum amount that the Company would be obligated to repay in the event franchisees defaulted was $17.0$7.5 million, which would be due in full within 75 days of the event of default.
Since the inception of the franchise loan program in 1994, losses associated with the program have been immaterial.insignificant. However, there cansuch losses could be no assurance that the Company will not incurmaterial in a future losses on outstanding franchisee borrowings under the Franchise Loan Facilityperiod due to potential adverse trends in the liquidity and/or financial performance of the Company's franchisees resulting in an event of defaultsdefault or impending defaults by franchisees. The Company records a liability related to estimated future losses from repaying the franchisees' outstanding debt obligations upon any possible future events of default. This liability is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and was $2.2$2.0 million and $2.4$2.2 million as of March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 2020,2021, respectively. The liability for both periods included qualitative consideration of potential losses, due toincluding uncertainties related tosurrounding the normalization of current and forecastedfuture business trends including, but not limited to, the impacts ofassociated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the corresponding unknown effect on the operations and liquidity of our franchisees.
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
As part of our ongoing operations, we enter into various arrangements that obligate us to make future payments, including debt agreements, operating leases, and other purchase obligations. The future cash commitments owed under these arrangements generally fluctuate in the normal course of business as we, for example, borrow on or pay down our revolving lines of credit, make scheduled payments on leases or purchase obligations, and renegotiate arrangements or enter into new arrangements. ThereOther than the debt arrangements the Company entered into on April 1, 2022 as described above, there were no material changes outside the normal course of business in our material cash commitments and contractual obligations from those reported in the 20202021 Annual Report.
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Critical Accounting Policies
Refer to Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies" in the 20202021 Annual Report.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 to the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements, including pronouncements that were adopted in the current year.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As of March 31, 2021,2022, the Company did not have any outstanding borrowings under its Revolving Facility.the Previous Credit Facility, further described in Note 6 to these condensed consolidated financial statements. Borrowings under the RevolvingPrevious Credit Facility are currently indexed to the LIBO rate, the Federal Funds Rate, or the Administrative Agent's prime lending rate. Future borrowings under the Credit Facility, further defined and described in Note 6 to these condensed consolidated financial statements, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of the Company, (i) the forward-looking term rate based on the SOFR plus an applicable margin ranging between 1.50% and 2.25%, based on the Company’s Total Net Debt to EBITDA Ratio, or (ii) the base rate plus an applicable margin, which is 1.00% lower than the applicable margin for SOFR loans. The variable rates associated with these facilities exposes us to the risk of increased interest costs if interest rates rise while we have outstanding borrowings. borrowings tied to variable rates.
We do not use any significant market risk sensitive instruments to hedge commodity, foreign currency or other risks, and hold no market risk sensitive instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

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ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
An evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), was carried out by management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
This evaluation is performed to determine if our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is accumulated and communicated to management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’sUnited States Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. No system of controls, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the system of controls are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that the system of controls has operated effectively in all cases. Our disclosure controls and procedures, however, are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.
Based on management’s evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the date of the evaluation to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934, during the three months ended March 31, 20212022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we are party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While any proceeding contains an element of uncertainty, we do not currently believe that any of the outstanding legal proceedings to which we are a party will have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position or results of operations. However, an adverse resolution of a number of these items may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position or results of operations. For further information, see Note 4 to the condensed consolidated and combined financial statements, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
The risk factors that affect our business and financial results are discussed in Part I, Item 1A, of the 20202021 Annual Report. There are no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed, nor have we identified any previously undisclosed risks that could materially adversely affect our business and financial results.
ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table presents our share repurchase activity for the three months ended March 31, 2021:2022:
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs 1
January 1, 2021 through January 31, 2021— — — $150,000,000 
February 1, 2021 through February 28, 2021— — — 150,000,000 
March 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021252,200 $24.90 252,200 143,719,824 
Total252,200 252,200 
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs 1
January 1, 2022 through January 31, 2022— $— — $46,901,691 
February 28, 2022 through February 28, 2022— — — 46,901,691 
March 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022261,924 21.84 261,924 141,181,756 
Total261,924 261,924 
1Share repurchases are conducted under authorizations made from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors.our Board. The most recent authorization was publicly announced on March 3, 2021 and2, 2022, which increased the share repurchase authorization amount to $250.0 million from the previous authorized the repurchase of shares up to a maximum amount of $150.0 million.million, and extended the maturity date by one year to December 31, 2024. Subject to the terms of theour Board's authorization and applicable law, repurchases may be made at such times and in such amounts as the Company deems appropriate through December 31, 2023.2024. Repurchases may be discontinued at any time.
ITEM 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION
None.
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ITEM 6.EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
NO.
DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
2.1
10.1
10.2
31.1*
31.2*
32.1*
32.2*
101.INSXBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.

101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104The cover page from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021,2022, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101)
*Filed herewith.


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of l934,1934, the Registrantregistrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
THE AARON’S COMPANY, INC.
(Registrant)
Date:April 27, 202125, 2022By:/s/ C. Kelly Wall
C. Kelly Wall
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Date:April 27, 202125, 2022By:/s/ Douglass L. Noe
Douglass L. Noe
Vice President, Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
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