Upbound (UPBD) 10-Q 3 May 18 2018 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Company Informatio

Document and Company Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018
Document And Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	RENT A CENTER INC DE
Entity Central Index Key	933,036
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	RCII
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		53,414,526
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Store
Rentals and fees	$ 564,714	$ 595,414
Merchandise sales	107,356	121,722
Installment sales	16,404	16,757
Other	2,584	2,652
Total store revenues	691,058	736,545
Franchise
Merchandise sales	3,634	3,321
Royalty income and fees	3,351	2,120
Total revenues	698,043	741,986
Store
Cost of rentals and fees	156,095	162,033
Cost of merchandise sold	96,353	109,124
Cost of installment sales	5,242	5,184
Total cost of store revenues	257,690	276,341
Franchise
Franchise cost of merchandise sold	3,375	2,982
Total cost of revenues	261,065	279,323
Gross profit	436,978	462,663
Operating expenses
Labor	181,074	192,107
Other store expenses	185,949	197,440
General and administrative expenses	44,870	39,772
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles	17,900	18,541
Other charges	17,455	13,651
Total operating expenses	447,248	461,511
Operating (loss) profit	(10,270)	1,152
Interest expense	11,360	11,630
Interest income	(209)	(156)
Loss before income taxes	(21,421)	(10,322)
Income tax benefit	(1,578)	(3,643)
Net loss	$ (19,843)	$ (6,679)
Basic loss per common share	$ (0.37)	$ (0.13)
Diluted loss per common share	(0.37)	(0.13)
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0	$ 0.08

Condensed Consolidated Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (19,843)	$ (6,679)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $438 and $2,991 for 2018 and 2017, respectively	1,648	5,555
Total other comprehensive income	1,648	5,555
Comprehensive loss	$ (18,195)	$ (1,124)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation tax adjustment	$ 438	$ 2,991

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 81,393	$ 72,968
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,837 and $4,167 in 2018 and 2017, respectively	64,823	69,823
Prepaid expenses and other assets	67,517	64,577
Rental merchandise, net
On rent	649,891	701,803
Held for rent	162,625	167,188
Merchandise held for installment sale	3,626	4,025
Property assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $528,096 and $525,673 in 2018 and 2017, respectively	269,942	282,901
Deferred tax asset	29,009	0
Goodwill	56,784	56,614
Other intangible assets, net	828	882
Total Assets	1,386,438	1,420,781
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable - trade	90,850	90,352
Accrued liabilities	329,676	298,018
Deferred tax liability	114,427	87,081
Senior debt, net	57,426	134,125
Senior notes, net	539,078	538,762
Total Liabilities	1,131,457	1,148,338
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 109,783,653 and 109,681,559 shares issued in 2018 and 2017, respectively	1,097	1,097
Additional paid-in capital	833,311	831,271
Retained earnings	777,593	798,743
Treasury stock at cost, 56,369,752 shares in 2018 and 2017	(1,347,677)	(1,347,677)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,343)	(10,991)
Total Stockholders' Equity	254,981	272,443
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 1,386,438	$ 1,420,781

Condensed Consolidated Balance6

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 3,837	$ 4,167
Property assets, accumulated depreciation	$ 528,096	$ 525,673
Common stock - par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock - shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock - shares issued	109,783,653	109,681,559
Treasury stock - shares at cost	56,369,752	56,369,752

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$ (19,843)	$ (6,679)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation of rental merchandise	154,131	160,491
Bad debt expense	3,437	3,422
Stock-based compensation expense	1,862	(698)
Depreciation of property assets	17,742	18,209
Loss on sale or disposal of property assets	1,913	755
Amortization and impairment of intangibles	157	4,227
Amortization of financing fees	1,343	756
Deferred income taxes	(1,267)	(13,088)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions
Rental merchandise	(103,439)	(104,595)
Receivables	1,563	(243)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(2,941)	2,888
Accounts payable - trade	498	(25,610)
Accrued liabilities	29,321	19,482
Net cash provided by operating activities	84,477	59,317
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property assets	(8,649)	(22,048)
Proceeds from sale of stores	9,463	475
Acquisitions of businesses	(440)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	374	(21,573)
Cash flows from financing activities
Exercise of stock options	375	0
Shares withheld for payment of employee tax withholdings	(205)	(187)
Proceeds from debt	26,850	86,375
Repayments of debt	(104,448)	(157,937)
Dividends paid	0	(4,268)
Net cash used in financing activities	(77,428)	(76,017)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,002	1,005
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	8,425	(37,268)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	72,968	95,396
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 81,393	$ 58,128

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Rent-A-Center, Inc. included herein have been prepared by us pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations, although we believe the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We suggest these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 . In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited interim financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of those of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly our results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements include the accounts of Rent-A-Center, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to “Rent-A-Center” refer only to Rent-A-Center, Inc., the parent, and references to “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the consolidated business operations of Rent-A-Center and any or all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. We report four operating segments: Core U.S., Acceptance Now, Mexico and Franchising. Our Core U.S. segment consists of company-owned rent-to-own stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico that lease household durable goods to customers on a rent-to-own basis. We also offer merchandise on an installment sales basis in certain of our stores under the names “Get It Now” and “Home Choice.” Our Acceptance Now segment, which operates in the United States and Puerto Rico, generally offers the rent-to-own transaction to consumers who do not qualify for financing from the traditional retailer through kiosks located within such retailers’ locations. Those kiosks can be staffed by an Acceptance Now employee (staffed locations) or employ a virtual solution where customers initiate the rent-to-own transaction online in the retailers' locations using our tablet computer and our virtual solution (direct locations). Our Mexico segment consists of our company-owned rent-to-own stores in Mexico that lease household durable goods to customers on a rent-to-own basis. Rent-A-Center Franchising International, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Rent-A-Center, is a franchisor of rent-to-own stores. Our Franchising segment’s primary source of revenue is the sale of rental merchandise to its franchisees, who in turn offer the merchandise to the general public for rent or purchase under a rent-to-own transaction. The balance of our Franchising segment’s revenue is generated primarily from royalties based on franchisees’ monthly gross revenues. Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , which clarifies existing accounting literature relating to how and when a company recognizes revenue. We adopted ASU 2014-09 and all related amendments beginning January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective adoption method. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Under Topic 606, initial franchise fees charged to franchisees for new stores are recognized over the term of the franchise agreement, rather than when they are paid by the franchisee, upon the opening of a new location. Furthermore, franchise advertising fees are presented on a gross basis, as revenue, in the consolidated statement of operations, rather than net of operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. Impacts resulting from adoption were not material to the consolidated statement of operations. See descriptions of the revenues in Note 2 . The cumulative effect of the changes made to our condensed consolidated balance sheets for the adoption of Topic 606 were as follows: January 1, 2018 Adjustments due to Topic 606 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Unaudited LIABILITIES Accrued liabilities $ 299,683 $ (1,665 ) $ 298,018 Deferred tax liability 86,727 354 87,081 Total liabilities 1,149,649 (1,311 ) 1,148,338 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Retained earnings $ 797,432 $ 1,311 $ 798,743 Total stockholders' equity 271,132 1,311 272,443 In accordance with Topic 606, the disclosure of the impact of adoption on our condensed consolidated statements of operations and condensed consolidated balance sheets for the period ended March 31, 2018 is as follows: Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 As Reported Adjustments due to Topic 606 Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 (In thousands) Unaudited Royalty income and fees 3,351 (64 ) 3,287 Total revenues 698,043 (64 ) 697,979 Gross profit 436,978 (64 ) 436,914 Other store expenses 185,949 (1,067 ) 184,882 Total operating expenses 447,248 (1,067 ) 446,181 Operating loss (10,270 ) 1,003 (9,267 ) Loss before income taxes (21,421 ) 1,003 (20,418 ) Income tax benefit (1,578 ) 74 (1,504 ) Net loss (19,843 ) 929 (18,914 ) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2018 As Reported Adjustments due to Topic 606 Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 (In thousands) Unaudited LIABILITIES Accrued liabilities $ 329,676 $ (2,668 ) $ 327,008 Deferred tax liability 114,427 428 114,855 Total liabilities 1,131,457 (2,240 ) 1,129,217 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Retained earnings $ 777,593 $ 2,240 $ 779,833 Total stockholders' equity 254,981 2,240 257,221 In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments , which provides guidance on the treatment of cash receipts and cash payments for certain types of cash transactions, to eliminate diversity in practice in the presentation of the cash flow statement. Rent-A-Center adopted ASU 2016-15 beginning January 1, 2018, on a retrospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 had no impact to the financial statements as of March 31, 2018. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which introduces amendments that are intended to make the guidance in ASC 805 on the definition of a business more consistent and cost-efficient. The amendments narrow the definition of a business and provide a framework that gives entities a basis for making reasonable judgments about whether a transaction involves an asset or a business. Rent-A-Center adopted ASU 2017-01 beginning January 1, 2018, using the prospective approach. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 had no impact to the financial statements as of March 31, 2018. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting , which clarifies which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required if the fair value, vesting conditions or classification (equity or liability) of the new award are different from the original award immediately before the original award is modified. Rent-A-Center adopted ASU 2017-09 beginning January 1, 2018, on a prospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 had no impact to the financial statements as of March 31, 2018.

Revenues Revenues (Notes)

Revenues Revenues (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenues [Text Block]	Revenues The following table disaggregates our revenue for the period ended March 31, 2018: Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Core U.S. Acceptance Now Mexico Franchising Consolidated (In thousands) Unaudited Store Rentals and fees $ 412,642 $ 140,824 $ 11,248 $ — $ 564,714 Merchandise sales 50,584 56,006 766 — 107,356 Installment sales 16,404 — — — 16,404 Other 2,411 156 17 — 2,584 Total store revenues 482,041 196,986 12,031 — 691,058 Franchise Merchandise sales — — — 3,634 3,634 Royalty income and fees — — — 3,351 3,351 Total revenues $ 482,041 $ 196,986 $ 12,031 $ 6,985 $ 698,043 Rental-Purchase Agreements Core U.S., Acceptance Now, and Mexico Rentals and Fees. Merchandise is leased to customers pursuant to rental purchase agreements which provide for weekly, semi-monthly or monthly rental terms with non-refundable rental payments. At the expiration of each rental term customers renew the rental agreement by pre-paying for the next rental term. Generally, the customer has the right to acquire title of the merchandise either through a purchase option or through payment of all required rental terms. Customers can terminate the agreement at the end of any rental term without penalty. Therefore rental transactions are accounted for as operating leases and rental revenue is recognized over the rental term. Cash received for rental payments, including processing fees, prior to the period in which it should be recognized is deferred and recognized according to the rental term. Revenue related to various payment, reinstatement or late fees are recognized when paid by the customer at the point service is provided. Rental merchandise is depreciated using the income forecasting method and is recognized in cost of sales over the rental term. We offer additional product plans along with our rental agreements which provide customers with liability protection against significant damage or loss of a product, and club membership benefits, including various discount programs and product service and replacement benefits in the event merchandise is damaged or lost. Customers renew product plans in conjunction with their rental term renewals, and can cancel the plans at any time. Revenue for product plans is recognized over the term of the plan. Costs incurred related to product plans are primarily recognized in cost of sales. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had $47.0 million and $41.1 million , respectively, in deferred revenue related to our rental purchase agreements. Revenue from contracts with customers Core U.S., Acceptance Now, and Mexico Merchandise Sales. Merchandise sales include payments received for the exercise of the early purchase option offered through our rental purchase agreements or merchandise sales include merchandise sold through point of sale transactions. Revenue for merchandise sales is recognized when payment is received and ownership of the merchandise passes to the customer. The remaining net value of merchandise sold is recorded to cost of sales at the time of the transaction. Installment Sales. Revenue from the sale of merchandise in our retail installment stores is recognized when the installment note is signed and control of the merchandise has passed to the customer. The cost of merchandise sold through installment agreements is recognized in cost of sales at the time of the transaction. We offer extended service plans with our installment agreements which are administered by third parties and provide customers with product service maintenance beyond the term of the installment agreement. Payments received for extended service plans are deferred and recognized, net of related costs, when the installment payment plan is complete and the service plan goes into effect. Customers can cancel extended service plans at anytime during the installment agreement and receive a refund for payments previously made towards the plan. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had $2.9 million and $3.0 million , respectively, in deferred revenue related to other product plans. Other. Other revenue primarily consists of external maintenance and repair services provided by the Company’s service department, in addition to other miscellaneous product plans offered to our rental and installment customers. The Company’s service department is a licensed warranty service provider and performs service maintenance and merchandise repair for qualified warranty guarantees, on behalf of merchandise vendors. In addition, we provide external maintenance and repair services for our franchisees, and other external businesses and individual customers. Revenue for warranty services is recognized when service is complete and a claim has been submitted to the original vendor issuing the warranty guarantee. Revenue for external repair and maintenance services are recognized when services provided are complete and the customer has been billed. Costs incurred for repair services are recognized as incurred in labor and other store expenses. Revenue for other product plans is recognized in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Franchising Merchandise Sales. Revenue from the sale of rental merchandise is recognized upon shipment of the merchandise to the franchisee. Royalty Income and Fees. Franchise royalties, including franchisee contributions to corporate advertising funds, represent sales-based royalties calculated as a percentage of gross rental payments and sales. Royalty revenue is recognized as rental payments and sales occur. Franchise fees are initial fees charged to franchisees for new or converted franchise stores. Franchise fee revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had $2.8 million and $1.7 million , respectively, in deferred revenue included in accrued liabilities related to franchise fees.

Receivables and Allowance for D

Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]
Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Text Block]	Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivables consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Installment sales receivable $ 52,615 $ 55,516 Trade and notes receivables 16,045 18,474 Total receivables 68,660 73,990 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (3,837 ) (4,167 ) Total receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts $ 64,823 $ 69,823 The allowance for doubtful accounts related to installment sales receivable was $3.2 million and $3.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts related to trade and notes receivable was $0.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 . Changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows: (In thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts $ 4,167 $ 3,593 Bad debt expense 3,437 15,702 Accounts written off (3,958 ) (15,791 ) Recoveries 191 663 Ending allowance for doubtful accounts $ 3,837 $ 4,167

Senior Debt

Senior Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Senior Debt [Abstract]
Senior Debt	Senior Debt We are party to a Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A., BBVA Compass Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and SunTrust Bank, as syndication agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the "Agent"), and the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, dated March 19, 2014, as amended on February 1, 2016, September 30, 2016, March 31, 2017, and June 6, 2017 (the “Fourth Amendment”) and as so amended, (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement currently provides a senior credit facility consisting of $225.0 million in term loans (the "Term Loans") and a $350 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Facility"). The amounts outstanding under the Term Loans were $41.7 million and $48.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The amounts outstanding under the Revolving Facility were $20.0 million and $85.0 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. Outstanding borrowings for senior credit facility at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were reduced by total unamortized issuance costs of $4.1 million and $5.2 million , respectively. The Term Loans are scheduled to mature on March 19, 2021 , and the Revolving Facility has a scheduled maturity of March 19, 2019 . We also utilize the Revolving Facility for the issuance of letters of credit. As of March 31, 2018 , we have issued letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $94 million . The Term Loans are payable in consecutive quarterly installments each in an aggregate principal amount of $562,500 , with a final installment equal to the remaining principal balance of the Term Loans due on March 19, 2021 . In the event our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement) exceeds 2.5:1, we are also required to pay down the Term Loans by a percentage of annual excess cash flow, as defined in the Credit Agreement. Additional payments will be equal to 25% of annual excess cash flows if the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio is between 2.5:1 and 3.0:1, increasing to 50% of annual excess cash flows if the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 3.0:1. We made a mandatory excess cash flow prepayment in March 2018 with respect to our results for the year ended December 31, 2017 of approximately $6 million , and in March 2017 with respect to our results for the year ended December 31, 2016 of approximately $141 million . We are further required to pay down the Term Loans with proceeds from certain asset sales or borrowings as defined in the Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Revolving Facility bear interest at varying rates equal to either the Eurodollar rate plus 1.50% to 3.00% , or the prime rate plus 0.50% to 2.00% (ABR), at our election. The margins on the Eurodollar loans and on the ABR loans for borrowings under the Revolving Facility, which were 3.00% and 2.00% , respectively, at March 31, 2018 , may fluctuate based upon an increase or decrease in our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio as defined by a pricing grid included in the Credit Agreement. The margins on the Eurodollar loans and on the ABR loans for Term Loans are 3.00% and 2.00% , respectively, but may also fluctuate in the event the all-in pricing for any subsequent incremental Term Loan exceeds the all-in pricing for prior Term Loans by more than 0.50% per annum. A commitment fee equal to 0.30% to 0.50% of the unused portion of the Revolving Facility is payable quarterly, and fluctuates dependent upon an increase or decrease in our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio. The commitment fee during the first quarter of 2018 was equal to 0.50% of the unused portion of the Revolving Facility. Under the borrowing terms of the Revolving Facility, the aggregate outstanding amounts (including after any draw request) may not exceed the Borrowing Base. The Borrowing Base is tied to the Eligible Installment Sales Accounts, Inventory and Eligible Rental Contracts, in addition to Reserves and the Term Loan Reserve. We provide to the Agent information necessary to calculate the Borrowing Base within 30 days of the end of each calendar month, unless the remaining availability of the Revolving Facility is less than 20% of the maximum borrowing capacity of the Revolving Facility or $60 million, in which case we must provide weekly information. Our borrowings under the Credit Agreement are, subject to certain exceptions, secured by a security interest in substantially all of our tangible and intangible assets, including intellectual property, and are also secured by a pledge of the capital stock of our U.S. subsidiaries. Subject to a number of exceptions, the Credit Agreement contains, without limitation, covenants that generally limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to: • incur additional debt; • pay cash dividends in excess of $15 million annually when the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 3:75:1; • incur liens or other encumbrances; • merge, consolidate or sell substantially all property or business; • sell, lease or otherwise transfer assets (if not in the ordinary course of business, limited in any fiscal year to an amount equal to 5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year); • make investments or acquisitions (unless they meet financial tests and other requirements); or • enter into an unrelated line of business; • guarantee obligations of Foreign Subsidiaries in excess of $10 million at any time; and • exceed an aggregate outstanding amount of $10 million in indebtedness, including Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings and purchase money obligations that are secured by Liens permitted under the Credit Agreement. In addition, we are prohibited from repurchasing our common stock or 6.625% and 4.75% Senior Notes for the remaining term of the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement permits us to increase the amount of the Term Loans and/or the Revolving Facility from time to time on up to three occasions, in an aggregate amount of no more than $100 million . We may request an Incremental Revolving Loan or Incremental Term Loan, provided that at the time of such request, we are not in default, have obtained the consent of the administrative agent and the lenders providing such increase, and after giving effect thereto, (i) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a pro forma basis is no less than 1.10:1, (ii) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit do not exceed the Borrowing Base, and (iii) if the request occurs during a Minimum Availability Period, the Availability must be more than the Availability Threshold Amount. The Credit Agreement permits the Agent, in its sole discretion, to make loans to us that it deems necessary or desirable (i) to preserve or protect the Collateral, (ii) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations, or (iii) to pay any other amount chargeable to or required to be paid by us pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement. The aggregate amount of such Protective Advances outstanding at any time may not exceed $35 million. In connection with entering into the Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, we recorded a write-down of previously unamortized debt issuance costs of approximately $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2017. In addition, we paid arrangement and amendment fees to the Agent and the lenders that provided their consent to the Amendment of approximately $5.3 million , which were capitalized in the second quarter of 2017 and will be amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the agreement. The Credit Agreement requires us to comply with a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage ratio of no less than 1.10:1. Breach of this covenant shall result in a Minimum Availability Period, which requires us to maintain $50.0 million of excess availability on the Revolving Facility. The table below shows the required and actual ratios under the Credit Agreement calculated as of March 31, 2018 : Required Ratio Actual Ratio Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio No less than 1.10:1 0.22:1 The actual Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage ratio was calculated pursuant to the Credit Agreement by dividing the sum of consolidated EBITDA minus Unfinanced Capital Expenditures minus the excess (to the extent positive) of (i) expenses for income taxes paid in cash minus (ii) cash income tax refunds received for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2018 ( $10.5 million ), by consolidated fixed charges for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2018 ( $47.1 million ). For purposes of the calculation, “consolidated fixed charges” is defined as the sum of consolidated interest expense and scheduled principal payments on indebtedness actually made during such period. The actual Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 0.22 :1 as of March 31, 2018 was below the minimum requirement of 1.10 :1 under the Credit Agreement. As a result of being out of compliance with this covenant, we must maintain $50.0 million of excess availability on the Revolving Facility. Availability under our Revolving Facility was $172.8 million at March 31, 2018 , net of the $50 million of excess availability we must maintain on the Revolving Facility. Events of default under the Credit Agreement include customary events, such as a cross-acceleration provision in the event that we default on other debt. In addition, an event of default under the Credit Agreement would occur if a change of control occurs. This is defined to include the case where a third party becomes the beneficial owner of 35% or more of our voting stock or a majority of Rent-A-Center’s Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors (all of the current members of our Board of Directors are Continuing Directors under the Credit Agreement). An event of default would also occur if one or more judgments were entered against us of $50.0 million or more and such judgments were not satisfied or bonded pending appeal within 30 days after entry. In addition to the Revolving Facility discussed above, we maintain a $12.5 million unsecured, revolving line of credit with INTRUST Bank, N.A. to facilitate cash management. As of March 31, 2018 , we had no outstanding borrowings against this line of credit and $5.7 million outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2017 . The line of credit renews annually. Borrowings under the line of credit bear interest at the greater of a variable rate or 2.00%. The table below shows the scheduled maturity dates under our senior credit facility and INTRUST line of credit at March 31, 2018 for each of the years ending December 31: (in thousands) Term Loan Revolving Facility INTRUST Line of Credit Total 2018 $ 1,687 $ — $ — $ 1,687 2019 2,250 20,000 — 22,250 2020 2,250 — — 2,250 2021 35,513 — — 35,513 2022 — — — — Thereafter — — — — Total senior debt $ 41,700 $ 20,000 $ — $ 61,700 Please reference Note 5 for maturity dates of our 6.625% and 4.75% Senior Notes. Liquidity As described above, our Revolving Facility is scheduled to mature in March 2019. Our primary liquidity requirements are for rental merchandise purchases. Other capital requirements include expenditures for property assets and debt service. Our primary sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operations. We utilize our Revolving Facility for the issuance of letters of credit, as well as to manage normal fluctuations in operational cash flow caused by the timing of cash receipts. In that regard, we may from time to time draw funds under the Revolving Facility for general corporate purposes. Amounts are drawn as needed due to the timing of cash flows and are generally paid down as cash is generated by our operating activities. We are in the process of considering refinancing options for our Credit Agreement and 6.625% and 4.75% Senior Notes, including amending and extending our current Revolving Facility with our existing lenders, or obtaining other sources of financing. We believe it is probable we will be able to effectively obtain refinancing to provide access to credit for additional cash funding flexibility in our business operations. We believe the cash flow generated from operations, together with availability under our Credit Agreement for the remainder of its term, will be sufficient to fund our operations during the next 12 months.

Senior Notes

Senior Notes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Subsidiary Guarantors - Senior Notes [Abstract]
Senior Notes	Senior Notes On November 2, 2010, we issued $300.0 million in senior unsecured notes due November 2020, bearing interest at 6.625%, pursuant to an indenture dated November 2, 2010, among Rent-A-Center, Inc., its subsidiary guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, as trustee. A portion of the proceeds of this offering were used to repay approximately $200.0 million of outstanding term debt under our Prior Credit Agreement. The remaining net proceeds were used to repurchase shares of our common stock. The principal amount of the 6.625% notes outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , was $292.7 million , reduced by $1.7 million and $1.8 million of unamortized issuance costs, respectively. On May 2, 2013, we issued $250 million in senior unsecured notes due May 2021, bearing interest at 4.75%, pursuant to an indenture dated May 2, 2013, among Rent-A-Center, Inc., its subsidiary guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, as trustee. A portion of the proceeds of this offering were used to repurchase shares of our common stock under a $200.0 million accelerated stock buyback program. The remaining net proceeds were used to repay outstanding revolving debt under our Prior Credit Agreement. The principal amount of the 4.75% notes outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , was $250.0 million , reduced by $2.0 million and $2.1 million of unamortized issuance costs, respectively. The indentures governing the 6.625% notes and the 4.75% notes are substantially similar. Each indenture contains covenants that limit our ability to: • incur additional debt; • sell assets or our subsidiaries; • grant liens to third parties; • pay cash dividends or repurchase stock when total leverage is greater than 2.50:1 (subject to an exception for cash dividends in an amount not to exceed $20 million annually); and • engage in a merger or sell substantially all of our assets. Events of default under each indenture include customary events, such as a cross-acceleration provision in the event that we default in the payment of other debt due at maturity or upon acceleration for default in an amount exceeding $50.0 million , as well as in the event a judgment is entered against us in excess of $50.0 million that is not discharged, bonded or insured. The 6.625% notes may be redeemed on or after November 15, 2015, at our option, in whole or in part, at a premium declining from 103.313% . The 6.625% notes may be redeemed on or after November 15, 2018, at our option, in whole or in part, at par. The 6.625% notes also require that upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the 2010 indenture), the holders of the notes have the right to require us to repurchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of the original aggregate principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. The 4.75% notes may be redeemed on or after May 1, 2016, at our option, in whole or in part, at a premium declining from 103.563% . The 4.75% notes may be redeemed on or after May 1, 2019, at our option, in whole or in part, at par. The 4.75% notes also require that upon the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the 2013 indenture), the holders of the notes have the right to require us to repurchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of the original aggregate principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. Any mandatory repurchase of the 6.625% notes and/or the 4.75% notes would trigger an event of default under our Credit Agreement. We are not required to maintain any financial ratios under either of the indentures. Rent-A-Center and its subsidiary guarantors have fully, jointly and severally, and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of Rent-A-Center with respect to the 6.625% notes and the 4.75% notes. Rent-A-Center has no independent assets or operations, and each subsidiary guarantor is 100% owned directly or indirectly by Rent-A-Center. The only direct or indirect subsidiaries of Rent-A-Center that are not guarantors are minor subsidiaries. There are no restrictions on the ability of any of the subsidiary guarantors to transfer funds to Rent-A-Center in the form of loans, advances or dividends, except as provided by applicable law.

Fair Value

Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value	Fair Value We follow a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the inputs used in measuring fair values, in determining the fair value of our non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, which consist primarily of goodwill. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. There were no changes in the methods and assumptions used in measuring fair value during the period. At March 31, 2018 , our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables, senior debt and senior notes. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximates fair value at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , because of the short maturities of these instruments. Our senior debt is variable rate debt that re-prices frequently and entails no significant change in credit risk and, as a result, fair value approximates carrying value. The fair value of our senior notes is based on Level 1 inputs and was as follows at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 : March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Carrying Value Fair Value Difference Carrying Value Fair Value Difference 6.625% senior notes $ 292,740 $ 266,774 $ (25,966 ) $ 292,740 $ 278,835 $ (13,905 ) 4.75% senior notes 250,000 221,575 (28,425 ) 250,000 237,500 (12,500 ) Total senior notes $ 542,740 $ 488,349 $ (54,391 ) $ 542,740 $ 516,335 $ (26,405 )

Other Charges

Other Charges	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Other Charges	Other Charges 2018 Cost Savings Initiatives. During the first quarter of 2018, we began execution of multiple cost savings initiatives, including reductions in overhead and supply chain, resulting in pre-tax charges of $7.1 million in severance and other payroll-related costs, $1.9 million in legal and advisory fees, and $1.3 million in lease obligation costs. Store Consolidation Plan. During the first quarter of 2018, we closed 61 Core U.S. stores and 8 locations in Mexico, resulting in pre-tax charges of $4.6 million , consisting of $3.6 million in lease obligation costs, $0.8 million in disposal of fixed assets, and $0.2 million in other miscellaneous shutdown costs. Write-down of Capitalized Software. During the first quarter of 2018 we discontinued certain IT software projects and as a result incurred pre-tax charges of $1.9 million , related to the write-down of capitalized assets. Acceptance Now Store Closures. During the first quarter of 2017, we closed 76 Acceptance Now manned locations and 9 Acceptance Now direct locations, and initiated a plan to close an additional 115 Acceptance Now locations, resulting in pre-tax charges of $5.7 million consisting primarily of rental merchandise losses, disposal of fixed assets, and other miscellaneous labor and shutdown costs. In addition, as a result of the plan to close certain Acceptance Now locations, we recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $3.9 million to our intangible assets, related to a vendor relationship. Corporate Cost Rationalization. During the first quarter of 2017, we executed a head count reduction that impacted approximately 6% of our field support center workforce. This resulted in pre-tax charges for severance and other payroll-related costs of approximately $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Activity with respect to other charges for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is summarized in the below table: (in thousands) Accrued Charges at December 31, 2017 Charges & Adjustments Payments Accrued Charges at March 31, 2018 Cash charges: Labor reduction costs $ 1,674 $ 7,196 $ (1,096 ) $ 7,774 Lease obligation costs 2,105 5,029 (1,176 ) 5,958 Other miscellaneous — 137 (137 ) — Total cash charges $ 3,779 12,362 $ (2,409 ) $ 13,732 Non-cash charges: Rental merchandise gains (359 ) Asset impairments 2,632 Other (1) 2,820 Total other charges $ 17,455 (1) Other primarily includes incremental legal and advisory fees related to our strategic review.

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Information [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The operating segments reported below are the segments for which separate financial information is available and for which segment results are evaluated by the chief operating decision makers. Our operating segments are organized based on factors including, but not limited to, type of business transactions, geographic location and store ownership. All operating segments offer merchandise from four basic product categories: consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture and accessories. Our Core U.S. and Franchising segments also offer smartphones. Segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Revenues Core U.S. $ 482,041 $ 490,899 Acceptance Now 196,986 234,546 Mexico 12,031 11,100 Franchising 6,985 5,441 Total revenues $ 698,043 $ 741,986 Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Gross profit Core U.S. $ 336,241 $ 337,954 Acceptance Now 88,805 114,429 Mexico 8,322 7,821 Franchising 3,610 2,459 Total gross profit $ 436,978 $ 462,663 Beginning in 2018, we implemented an intercompany book value adjustment charge for all rental merchandise transfers from Acceptance Now locations to Core U.S. stores. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, book value adjustments on intercompany rental merchandise transfers were $3.5 million , resulting in a corresponding increase in gross profit for the Core U.S. and decrease in gross profit for Acceptance Now. Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Operating (loss) profit Core U.S. $ 28,387 $ 24,402 Acceptance Now 15,430 20,619 Mexico 497 161 Franchising 1,256 1,441 Total segments 45,570 46,623 Corporate (55,840 ) (45,471 ) Total operating (loss) profit $ (10,270 ) $ 1,152 Beginning in 2018, we implemented an intercompany book value adjustment charge for all rental merchandise transfers from Acceptance Now locations to Core U.S. stores. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, book value adjustments for inventory charge-offs related to intercompany rental merchandise transfers were $0.7 million , resulting in a corresponding increase in operating profit for the Core U.S. and decrease in operating profit for Acceptance Now. Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles Core U.S. $ 6,826 $ 8,108 Acceptance Now 435 786 Mexico 344 527 Franchising 44 44 Total segments 7,649 9,465 Corporate 10,251 9,076 Total depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles $ 17,900 $ 18,541 We recorded an impairment of intangibles of $3.9 million in the Acceptance Now segment during the first quarter of 2017 that is not included in the table above. The impairment charge was recorded to Other Charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Capital expenditures Core U.S. $ 4,890 $ 6,108 Acceptance Now 45 483 Mexico 3 23 Total segments 4,938 6,614 Corporate 3,711 15,434 Total capital expenditures $ 8,649 $ 22,048 (in thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 On rent rental merchandise, net Core U.S. $ 380,449 $ 408,993 Acceptance Now 253,906 278,443 Mexico 15,536 14,367 Total on rent rental merchandise, net $ 649,891 $ 701,803 (in thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Held for rent rental merchandise, net Core U.S. $ 155,405 $ 156,039 Acceptance Now 1,714 4,940 Mexico 5,506 6,209 Total held for rent rental merchandise, net $ 162,625 $ 167,188 (in thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Assets by segment Core U.S. $ 736,092 $ 776,296 Acceptance Now 321,524 350,970 Mexico 35,619 33,529 Franchising 4,503 3,802 Total segments 1,097,738 1,164,597 Corporate 288,700 256,184 Total assets $ 1,386,438 $ 1,420,781

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation We recognized $1.9 million and $(0.7) million in pre-tax compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock units during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Stock compensation expense recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily attributable to the reversal of unvested stock compensation previously granted to former executives. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 , we granted approximately 452,000 stock options, 673,000 market-based performance restricted stock units and 490,000 time-vesting restricted stock units. The stock options granted were valued using a Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions: an expected volatility of 44.97% to 53.51% , a risk-free interest rate of 2.07% to 2.68% , no expected dividend yield, and an expected term of 3.50 to 5.75 years . The weighted-average exercise price of the options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $8.72 and the weighted-average grant-date fair value was $3.80 . Performance-based restricted stock units are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. Time-vesting restricted stock units are valued using the closing price on the trading day immediately preceding the day of the grant. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the market-based performance and time-vesting restricted stock units granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $9.03 and $8.58 , respectively.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies From time to time, the Company, along with our subsidiaries, is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We reserve for loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. We regularly monitor developments related to these legal proceedings, and review the adequacy of our legal reserves on a quarterly basis. We do not expect these losses to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements if and when such losses are incurred. We are subject to unclaimed property audits by states in the ordinary course of business. The property subject to review in this audit process included unclaimed wages, vendor payments and customer refunds. State escheat laws generally require entities to report and remit abandoned and unclaimed property to the state. Failure to timely report and remit the property can result in assessments that could include interest and penalties, in addition to the payment of the escheat liability itself. We routinely remit escheat payments to states in compliance with applicable escheat laws. The negotiated settlements did not have a material adverse impact to our financial statements.

Loss Per Common Share

Loss Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Loss Per Common Share	Loss Per Common Share Summarized basic and diluted earnings per common share were calculated as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands, except per share data) 2018 2017 Numerator: Net loss $ (19,843 ) $ (6,679 ) Denominator: Weighted-average shares outstanding 53,406 53,217 Effect of dilutive stock awards (1) — — Weighted-average dilutive shares 53,406 53,217 Basic loss per common share $ (0.37 ) $ (0.13 ) Diluted loss per common share $ (0.37 ) $ (0.13 ) Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted loss per common share: Anti-dilutive restricted share units 874 731 Anti-dilutive performance share units 1,294 888 Anti-dilutive stock options 3,033 3,330 (1) There was no dilutive effect to the loss per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 due to the net loss incurred for both periods.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	These financial statements include the accounts of Rent-A-Center, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]	Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , which clarifies existing accounting literature relating to how and when a company recognizes revenue. We adopted ASU 2014-09 and all related amendments beginning January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective adoption method. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Under Topic 606, initial franchise fees charged to franchisees for new stores are recognized over the term of the franchise agreement, rather than when they are paid by the franchisee, upon the opening of a new location. Furthermore, franchise advertising fees are presented on a gross basis, as revenue, in the consolidated statement of operations, rather than net of operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. Impacts resulting from adoption were not material to the consolidated statement of operations. See descriptions of the revenues in Note 2 . The cumulative effect of the changes made to our condensed consolidated balance sheets for the adoption of Topic 606 were as follows: January 1, 2018 Adjustments due to Topic 606 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Unaudited LIABILITIES Accrued liabilities $ 299,683 $ (1,665 ) $ 298,018 Deferred tax liability 86,727 354 87,081 Total liabilities 1,149,649 (1,311 ) 1,148,338 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Retained earnings $ 797,432 $ 1,311 $ 798,743 Total stockholders' equity 271,132 1,311 272,443 In accordance with Topic 606, the disclosure of the impact of adoption on our condensed consolidated statements of operations and condensed consolidated balance sheets for the period ended March 31, 2018 is as follows: Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 As Reported Adjustments due to Topic 606 Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 (In thousands) Unaudited Royalty income and fees 3,351 (64 ) 3,287 Total revenues 698,043 (64 ) 697,979 Gross profit 436,978 (64 ) 436,914 Other store expenses 185,949 (1,067 ) 184,882 Total operating expenses 447,248 (1,067 ) 446,181 Operating loss (10,270 ) 1,003 (9,267 ) Loss before income taxes (21,421 ) 1,003 (20,418 ) Income tax benefit (1,578 ) 74 (1,504 ) Net loss (19,843 ) 929 (18,914 ) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2018 As Reported Adjustments due to Topic 606 Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 (In thousands) Unaudited LIABILITIES Accrued liabilities $ 329,676 $ (2,668 ) $ 327,008 Deferred tax liability 114,427 428 114,855 Total liabilities 1,131,457 (2,240 ) 1,129,217 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Retained earnings $ 777,593 $ 2,240 $ 779,833 Total stockholders' equity 254,981 2,240 257,221 In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments , which provides guidance on the treatment of cash receipts and cash payments for certain types of cash transactions, to eliminate diversity in practice in the presentation of the cash flow statement. Rent-A-Center adopted ASU 2016-15 beginning January 1, 2018, on a retrospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 had no impact to the financial statements as of March 31, 2018. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which introduces amendments that are intended to make the guidance in ASC 805 on the definition of a business more consistent and cost-efficient. The amendments narrow the definition of a business and provide a framework that gives entities a basis for making reasonable judgments about whether a transaction involves an asset or a business. Rent-A-Center adopted ASU 2017-01 beginning January 1, 2018, using the prospective approach. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 had no impact to the financial statements as of March 31, 2018. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting , which clarifies which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required if the fair value, vesting conditions or classification (equity or liability) of the new award are different from the original award immediately before the original award is modified. Rent-A-Center adopted ASU 2017-09 beginning January 1, 2018, on a prospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 had no impact to the financial statements as of March 31, 2018.

Basis of Presentation Basis of

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]	The cumulative effect of the changes made to our condensed consolidated balance sheets for the adoption of Topic 606 were as follows: January 1, 2018 Adjustments due to Topic 606 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Unaudited LIABILITIES Accrued liabilities $ 299,683 $ (1,665 ) $ 298,018 Deferred tax liability 86,727 354 87,081 Total liabilities 1,149,649 (1,311 ) 1,148,338 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Retained earnings $ 797,432 $ 1,311 $ 798,743 Total stockholders' equity 271,132 1,311 272,443 In accordance with Topic 606, the disclosure of the impact of adoption on our condensed consolidated statements of operations and condensed consolidated balance sheets for the period ended March 31, 2018 is as follows: Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 As Reported Adjustments due to Topic 606 Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 (In thousands) Unaudited Royalty income and fees 3,351 (64 ) 3,287 Total revenues 698,043 (64 ) 697,979 Gross profit 436,978 (64 ) 436,914 Other store expenses 185,949 (1,067 ) 184,882 Total operating expenses 447,248 (1,067 ) 446,181 Operating loss (10,270 ) 1,003 (9,267 ) Loss before income taxes (21,421 ) 1,003 (20,418 ) Income tax benefit (1,578 ) 74 (1,504 ) Net loss (19,843 ) 929 (18,914 ) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2018 As Reported Adjustments due to Topic 606 Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 (In thousands) Unaudited LIABILITIES Accrued liabilities $ 329,676 $ (2,668 ) $ 327,008 Deferred tax liability 114,427 428 114,855 Total liabilities 1,131,457 (2,240 ) 1,129,217 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Retained earnings $ 777,593 $ 2,240 $ 779,833 Total stockholders' equity 254,981 2,240 257,221

Revenues Revenues (Tables)

Revenues Revenues (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]	The following table disaggregates our revenue for the period ended March 31, 2018: Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Core U.S. Acceptance Now Mexico Franchising Consolidated (In thousands) Unaudited Store Rentals and fees $ 412,642 $ 140,824 $ 11,248 $ — $ 564,714 Merchandise sales 50,584 56,006 766 — 107,356 Installment sales 16,404 — — — 16,404 Other 2,411 156 17 — 2,584 Total store revenues 482,041 196,986 12,031 — 691,058 Franchise Merchandise sales — — — 3,634 3,634 Royalty income and fees — — — 3,351 3,351 Total revenues $ 482,041 $ 196,986 $ 12,031 $ 6,985 $ 698,043

Receivables and Allowance for22

Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]
Receivables [Table Text Block]	Receivables consist of the following: (In thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Installment sales receivable $ 52,615 $ 55,516 Trade and notes receivables 16,045 18,474 Total receivables 68,660 73,990 Less allowance for doubtful accounts (3,837 ) (4,167 ) Total receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts $ 64,823 $ 69,823
Changes in allowance for doubtful accounts [Table Text Block]	Changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows: (In thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts $ 4,167 $ 3,593 Bad debt expense 3,437 15,702 Accounts written off (3,958 ) (15,791 ) Recoveries 191 663 Ending allowance for doubtful accounts $ 3,837 $ 4,167

Senior Debt (Tables)

Senior Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Senior Debt [Abstract]
Financial Covenants Ratios	The table below shows the required and actual ratios under the Credit Agreement calculated as of March 31, 2018 : Required Ratio Actual Ratio Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio No less than 1.10:1 0.22:1
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	The table below shows the scheduled maturity dates under our senior credit facility and INTRUST line of credit at March 31, 2018 for each of the years ending December 31: (in thousands) Term Loan Revolving Facility INTRUST Line of Credit Total 2018 $ 1,687 $ — $ — $ 1,687 2019 2,250 20,000 — 22,250 2020 2,250 — — 2,250 2021 35,513 — — 35,513 2022 — — — — Thereafter — — — — Total senior debt $ 41,700 $ 20,000 $ — $ 61,700

Fair Value Fair Value (Tables)

Fair Value Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring	The fair value of our senior notes is based on Level 1 inputs and was as follows at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 : March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Carrying Value Fair Value Difference Carrying Value Fair Value Difference 6.625% senior notes $ 292,740 $ 266,774 $ (25,966 ) $ 292,740 $ 278,835 $ (13,905 ) 4.75% senior notes 250,000 221,575 (28,425 ) 250,000 237,500 (12,500 ) Total senior notes $ 542,740 $ 488,349 $ (54,391 ) $ 542,740 $ 516,335 $ (26,405 )

Other Charges (Tables)

Other Charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Other Charges [Table Text Block]	Activity with respect to other charges for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is summarized in the below table: (in thousands) Accrued Charges at December 31, 2017 Charges & Adjustments Payments Accrued Charges at March 31, 2018 Cash charges: Labor reduction costs $ 1,674 $ 7,196 $ (1,096 ) $ 7,774 Lease obligation costs 2,105 5,029 (1,176 ) 5,958 Other miscellaneous — 137 (137 ) — Total cash charges $ 3,779 12,362 $ (2,409 ) $ 13,732 Non-cash charges: Rental merchandise gains (359 ) Asset impairments 2,632 Other (1) 2,820 Total other charges $ 17,455 (1) Other primarily includes incremental legal and advisory fees related to our strategic review.

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Information [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Revenues Core U.S. $ 482,041 $ 490,899 Acceptance Now 196,986 234,546 Mexico 12,031 11,100 Franchising 6,985 5,441 Total revenues $ 698,043 $ 741,986 Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Gross profit Core U.S. $ 336,241 $ 337,954 Acceptance Now 88,805 114,429 Mexico 8,322 7,821 Franchising 3,610 2,459 Total gross profit $ 436,978 $ 462,663 Beginning in 2018, we implemented an intercompany book value adjustment charge for all rental merchandise transfers from Acceptance Now locations to Core U.S. stores. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, book value adjustments on intercompany rental merchandise transfers were $3.5 million , resulting in a corresponding increase in gross profit for the Core U.S. and decrease in gross profit for Acceptance Now. Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Operating (loss) profit Core U.S. $ 28,387 $ 24,402 Acceptance Now 15,430 20,619 Mexico 497 161 Franchising 1,256 1,441 Total segments 45,570 46,623 Corporate (55,840 ) (45,471 ) Total operating (loss) profit $ (10,270 ) $ 1,152 Beginning in 2018, we implemented an intercompany book value adjustment charge for all rental merchandise transfers from Acceptance Now locations to Core U.S. stores. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, book value adjustments for inventory charge-offs related to intercompany rental merchandise transfers were $0.7 million , resulting in a corresponding increase in operating profit for the Core U.S. and decrease in operating profit for Acceptance Now. Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles Core U.S. $ 6,826 $ 8,108 Acceptance Now 435 786 Mexico 344 527 Franchising 44 44 Total segments 7,649 9,465 Corporate 10,251 9,076 Total depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles $ 17,900 $ 18,541 We recorded an impairment of intangibles of $3.9 million in the Acceptance Now segment during the first quarter of 2017 that is not included in the table above. The impairment charge was recorded to Other Charges in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands) 2018 2017 Capital expenditures Core U.S. $ 4,890 $ 6,108 Acceptance Now 45 483 Mexico 3 23 Total segments 4,938 6,614 Corporate 3,711 15,434 Total capital expenditures $ 8,649 $ 22,048 (in thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 On rent rental merchandise, net Core U.S. $ 380,449 $ 408,993 Acceptance Now 253,906 278,443 Mexico 15,536 14,367 Total on rent rental merchandise, net $ 649,891 $ 701,803 (in thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Held for rent rental merchandise, net Core U.S. $ 155,405 $ 156,039 Acceptance Now 1,714 4,940 Mexico 5,506 6,209 Total held for rent rental merchandise, net $ 162,625 $ 167,188 (in thousands) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Assets by segment Core U.S. $ 736,092 $ 776,296 Acceptance Now 321,524 350,970 Mexico 35,619 33,529 Franchising 4,503 3,802 Total segments 1,097,738 1,164,597 Corporate 288,700 256,184 Total assets $ 1,386,438 $ 1,420,781

Loss Per Common Share (Tables)

Loss Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Loss Per Common Share	Summarized basic and diluted earnings per common share were calculated as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, (in thousands, except per share data) 2018 2017 Numerator: Net loss $ (19,843 ) $ (6,679 ) Denominator: Weighted-average shares outstanding 53,406 53,217 Effect of dilutive stock awards (1) — — Weighted-average dilutive shares 53,406 53,217 Basic loss per common share $ (0.37 ) $ (0.13 ) Diluted loss per common share $ (0.37 ) $ (0.13 ) Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted loss per common share: Anti-dilutive restricted share units 874 731 Anti-dilutive performance share units 1,294 888 Anti-dilutive stock options 3,033 3,330 (1) There was no dilutive effect to the loss per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 due to the net loss incurred for both periods.

Basis of Presentation Basis o28

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accrued Liabilities	$ (329,676)		$ (299,683)	$ (298,018)
Deferred tax liability	114,427		86,727	87,081
Total Liabilities	(1,131,457)		(1,149,649)	(1,148,338)
Retained earnings	777,593		797,432	798,743
Total Stockholders' Equity	254,981		$ 271,132	272,443
Royalty income and fees	3,351	$ 2,120
Total revenues	698,043	741,986
Gross profit	436,978	462,663
Other store expenses	185,949	197,440
Total operating expenses	447,248	461,511
Operating (loss) profit	(10,270)	1,152
Loss before income taxes	(21,421)	(10,322)
Income tax benefit	(1,578)	(3,643)
Net loss	(19,843)	$ (6,679)
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accrued Liabilities	(2,668)			(1,665)
Deferred tax liability	428			354
Total Liabilities	(2,240)			(1,311)
Retained earnings	2,240			1,311
Total Stockholders' Equity	2,240			$ 1,311
Royalty income and fees	(64)
Total revenues	(64)
Gross profit	(64)
Other store expenses	(1,067)
Total operating expenses	(1,067)
Operating (loss) profit	1,003
Loss before income taxes	1,003
Income tax benefit	74
Net loss	929
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accrued Liabilities	(327,008)
Deferred tax liability	114,855
Total Liabilities	(1,129,217)
Retained earnings	779,833
Total Stockholders' Equity	257,221
Royalty income and fees	3,287
Total revenues	697,979
Gross profit	436,914
Other store expenses	184,882
Total operating expenses	446,181
Operating (loss) profit	(9,267)
Loss before income taxes	(20,418)
Income tax benefit	(1,504)
Net loss	$ (18,914)

Revenues Revenues (Details)

Revenues Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	$ 564,714	$ 595,414
Merchandise sales	107,356	121,722
Installment sales	16,404	16,757
Other	2,584	2,652
Total store revenues	691,058	736,545
Merchandise sales	3,634	3,321
Royalty income and fees	3,351	2,120
Total revenues	698,043	741,986
Rental purchase agreements [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	47,000		$ 41,100
Other product plans [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	2,900		3,000
Franchise fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	2,800		$ 1,700
Core Us [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	412,642
Merchandise sales	50,584
Installment sales	16,404
Other	2,411
Total store revenues	482,041
Merchandise sales	0
Royalty income and fees	0
Total revenues	482,041	490,899
Acceptance Now [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	140,824
Merchandise sales	56,006
Installment sales	0
Other	156
Total store revenues	196,986
Merchandise sales	0
Royalty income and fees	0
Total revenues	196,986	234,546
Mexico [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	11,248
Merchandise sales	766
Installment sales	0
Other	17
Total store revenues	12,031
Merchandise sales	0
Royalty income and fees	0
Total revenues	12,031	11,100
Franchising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	0
Merchandise sales	0
Installment sales	0
Other	0
Total store revenues	0
Merchandise sales	3,634
Royalty income and fees	3,351
Total revenues	$ 6,985	$ 5,441

Receivables and Allowance for30

Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Receivables [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Gross	$ 68,660		$ 73,990
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,837 and $4,167 in 2018 and 2017, respectively	64,823		69,823
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Bad debt expense	3,437	$ 3,422	15,702
Accounts written off	(3,958)		(15,791)
Recoveries	191		663
Allowance for doubtful accounts	3,837		4,167	$ 3,593
Installment sales receivable [Member]
Receivables [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Gross	52,615		55,516
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	3,200		3,600
Trade and notes receivables [Member]
Receivables [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Gross	16,045		18,474
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable [Roll Forward]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	600		600
Other receivables [Member]
Receivables [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Gross	$ 0		$ 0

Senior Debt (Details)

Senior Debt (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 4,100,000			$ 5,200,000
Mandatory Excess Cash Flow Pre-Payment	$ 6,000,000		$ 141,000,000
Commitment fee percentage	0.50%
Senior credit facilities, additional amount allowed	$ 100,000,000
Debt refinancing charges		$ 1,900,000
Debt arrangement and amendment fees		$ 5,300,000
Letters of credit, amount outstanding	$ 94,000,000
Financial Covenants Ratios (Table Details) [Abstract]
Required consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, minimum	1.10
Actual consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio	0.22
Covenants [Abstract]
Adjusted consolidated EBITDA	$ 10,500,000
Consolidated fixed charges	$ 47,100,000
Event of default-3rd party ownership % of our voting stock	35.00%
Event of default-not satisfied or bonded judgment in excess of	$ 50,000,000
Maximum period allowed for pending judgment to satisfy or bond (in days)	30
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2,018	$ 1,687,000
2,019	22,250,000
2,020	2,250,000
2,021	35,513,000
2,022	0
Thereafter	0
Total senior debt	$ 61,700,000
Minimum [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Commitment fee percentage	0.30%
Maximum [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Commitment fee percentage	0.50%
Prime Rate [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Description of variable rate basis	prime
Eurodollar [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Description of variable rate basis	Eurodollar rate
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Debt, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 225,000,000
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Term loan, amount outstanding	$ 41,700,000			48,600,000
Maturity date	Mar. 19, 2021
Term Loan, Periodic Payment, Principal	$ 562,500
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2,018	1,687,000
2,019	2,250,000
2,020	2,250,000
2,021	35,513,000
2,022	0
Thereafter	$ 0
Term Loan [Member] | Prime Rate [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Margin on Prime Rate, actual	2.00%
Term Loan [Member] | Eurodollar [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Margin on Eurodollar rate, actual	3.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Revolving facility, amount outstanding	$ 20,000,000			85,000,000
Maturity date	Mar. 19, 2019
Senior credit facility, maximum amount	$ 350,000,000
Covenants [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	172,800,000
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2,018	0
2,019	20,000,000
2,020	0
2,021	0
2,022	0
Thereafter	$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Prime Rate [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Margin on Prime Rate, actual	2.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Prime Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Basis margin on variable rate	0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Prime Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Basis margin on variable rate	2.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Margin on Eurodollar rate, actual	3.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Basis margin on variable rate	1.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Senior Debt (Table Details) [Abstract]
Basis margin on variable rate	3.00%
Line of Credit [Member]
Covenants [Abstract]
Unsecured line of credit, maximum facility	$ 12,500,000
Unsecured line of credit, amount outstanding	0			$ 5,700,000
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2,018	0
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	0
2,022	0
Thereafter	$ 0

Senior Notes (Details)

Senior Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Senior Notes [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior notes	$ 542,740	$ 542,740
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	4,100	5,200
Covenant for Debt Basket Available Under Senior Notes	20,000
Event of default for senior notes - failure of other debt payment at maturity in excess of this amount	50,000
Event of default for senior notes - not discharged, bonded or insured judgment in excess of this amount	$ 50,000
Our ownership percentage of subsidiary guarantors of senior notes	100.00%
Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Senior Notes [Line Items]
Initial Borrowing in Senior Notes	$ 300,000
Portion of proceeds from senior notes used to repay outstanding term debt	200,000
Carrying value of senior notes	292,740	292,740
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 1,700	1,800
Percentage of original aggregate principle amount of senior notes included in repurchase price at change of control	101.00%
Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Senior Notes, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Senior Notes [Line Items]
Senior notes, redemption price, percentage	103.313%
Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Senior Notes [Line Items]
Initial Borrowing in Senior Notes	$ 250,000
Portion of proceeds from senior notes used to repay outstanding term debt	200,000
Carrying value of senior notes	250,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ 2,000	$ 2,100
Percentage of original aggregate principle amount of senior notes included in repurchase price at change of control	101.00%
Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member] | Senior Notes, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Senior Notes [Line Items]
Senior notes, redemption price, percentage	103.563%

Fair Value (Details)

Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior notes	$ 542,740	$ 542,740
Amount of difference between fair value and carrying value	(54,391)	(26,405)
Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior notes	292,740	292,740
Amount of difference between fair value and carrying value	(25,966)	(13,905)
Initial Borrowing in Senior Notes	300,000
Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior notes	250,000
Amount of difference between fair value and carrying value	(28,425)	(12,500)
Initial Borrowing in Senior Notes	250,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of senior notes	488,349	516,335
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of senior notes	266,774	278,835
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of senior notes	$ 221,575	$ 237,500

Other Charges (Details)

Other Charges (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)store	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)store	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Other Charges [Line Items]
Write-down of capitalized assets	$ 1,900
Impairment of intangible asset		$ 3,900
Asset impairments	2,632
Other	2,820
Total other charges	17,455	13,651
Labor reduction costs
Other Charges [Line Items]
Accrued restructuring charges	7,774		$ 1,674
Lease obligation costs
Other Charges [Line Items]
Accrued restructuring charges	5,958		2,105
Other miscellaneous
Other Charges [Line Items]
Accrued restructuring charges	0		0
2018 Cost Savings Initiatives [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Other	1,900
2018 Cost Savings Initiatives [Member] | Labor reduction costs
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring cash charges	7,100
2018 Cost Savings Initiatives [Member] | Lease obligation costs
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring cash charges	1,300
2018 Store Consolidation Plan [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Pretax other charges	4,600
Asset impairments	800
Other	200
2018 Store Consolidation Plan [Member] | Lease obligation costs
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring cash charges	$ 3,600
2018 Store Consolidation Plan [Member] | Core Us [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Number of Stores Closed | store	61
2018 Store Consolidation Plan [Member] | Mexico [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Number of Stores Closed | store	8
2017 Acceptance Now Consolidation Plan [Member] | Acceptance Now [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Pretax other charges		5,700
Impairment of intangible asset		$ 3,900
2017 Field Support Center Restructuring Plan [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Head count reduction as percent of total workforce		6.00%
2017 Field Support Center Restructuring Plan [Member] | Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Labor reduction costs
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring cash charges		$ 2,500
Charges and adjustments [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring cash charges	$ 12,362
Charges and adjustments [Member] | Labor reduction costs
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring cash charges	7,196
Charges and adjustments [Member] | Lease obligation costs
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring cash charges	5,029
Charges and adjustments [Member] | Other miscellaneous
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring cash charges	137
Payments [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring payments	(2,409)
Payments [Member] | Labor reduction costs
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring payments	(1,096)
Payments [Member] | Lease obligation costs
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring payments	(1,176)
Payments [Member] | Other miscellaneous
Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring payments	(137)
Restructuring Charges-Total [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Accrued restructuring charges	13,732		$ 3,779
Non-Cash Charges [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Rental merchandise gains	(359)
Loss on sale of fixed assets	$ 0
Manned Location [Member] | 2017 Acceptance Now Consolidation Plan [Member] | Acceptance Now [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Number of Stores Closed | store		76
Number of stores expected to be closed | store		115
Direct Location [Member] | 2017 Acceptance Now Consolidation Plan [Member] | Acceptance Now [Member]
Other Charges [Line Items]
Number of Stores Closed | store		9

Segment Information (Details)

Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 698,043	$ 741,986
Gross profit	436,978	462,663
Product transfer fee	3,500
Operating (loss) profit	(10,270)	1,152
Product transfer charge-off	700
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles	17,900	18,541
Impairment of intangible asset		3,900
Capital expenditures	8,649	22,048
Rental merchandise on rent, net	649,891		$ 701,803
Rental merchandise held for rent, net	162,625		167,188
Assets	1,386,438		1,420,781
Core U.S. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	482,041	490,899
Gross profit	336,241	337,954
Operating (loss) profit	28,387	24,402
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles	6,826	8,108
Capital expenditures	4,890	6,108
Rental merchandise on rent, net	380,449		408,993
Rental merchandise held for rent, net	155,405		156,039
Assets	736,092		776,296
Acceptance Now [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	196,986	234,546
Gross profit	88,805	114,429
Operating (loss) profit	15,430	20,619
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles	435	786
Capital expenditures	45	483
Rental merchandise on rent, net	253,906		278,443
Rental merchandise held for rent, net	1,714		4,940
Assets	321,524		350,970
Mexico [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	12,031	11,100
Gross profit	8,322	7,821
Operating (loss) profit	497	161
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles	344	527
Capital expenditures	3	23
Rental merchandise on rent, net	15,536		14,367
Rental merchandise held for rent, net	5,506		6,209
Assets	35,619		33,529
Franchising [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	6,985	5,441
Gross profit	3,610	2,459
Operating (loss) profit	1,256	1,441
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles	44	44
Assets	4,503		3,802
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating (loss) profit	45,570	46,623
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles	7,649	9,465
Capital expenditures	4,938	6,614
Assets	1,097,738		1,164,597
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating (loss) profit	(55,840)	(45,471)
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles	10,251	9,076
Capital expenditures	3,711	$ 15,434
Assets	$ 288,700		$ 256,184

Stock-Based Compensation (Detai

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,862	$ (698)
Stock options granted	452,000
Performance-based restricted stock units granted	673,000
Time-vesting restricted stock units granted	490,000
Expected volatility rate, minimum	44.97%
Expected volatility rate, maximum	53.51%
Risk free interest rate, minimum	2.07%
Risk free interest rate, maximum	2.68%
Expected dividend yield, maximum	0.00%
Expected life, minimum	3 years 6 months
Expected life, maximum	5 years 9 months
Weighted average exercise price of options granted	$ 8.72
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted	3.80
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted	8.58
Performance-based restricted stock units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted	$ 9.03

Loss Per Common Share (Details)

Loss Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net loss	$ (19,843)	$ (6,679)
Weighted average shares outstanding	53,406	53,217
Effect of dilutive stock awards	0	0
Weighted-average dilutive shares	53,406	53,217
Basic loss per common share	$ (0.37)	$ (0.13)
Diluted loss per common share	$ (0.37)	$ (0.13)
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive stock options	874	731
Performance-based restricted stock units [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive stock options	1,294	888
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive stock options	3,033	3,330