<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000950134-01-502975
<TYPE>S-8
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>4
<FILING-DATE>20010608
<EFFECTIVENESS-DATE>20010608
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>RENT A CENTER INC DE
<CIK>0000933036
<ASSIGNED-SIC>7359
<IRS-NUMBER>481024367
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>S-8
<ACT>33
<FILE-NUMBER>333-62582
<FILM-NUMBER>1656761
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>5700 TENNYSON PARKWAY
<STREET2>THIRD FLOOR
<CITY>PLANO
<STATE>TX
<ZIP>75024
<PHONE>2144192613
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>13800 MONTFORT DRIVE
<STREET2>SUITE 300
<CITY>DALLAS
<STATE>TX
<ZIP>75240
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>RENTERS CHOICE INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19941128
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>S-8
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d88184s-8.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM S-8
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 8, 2001

                                                    Registration No.
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   -----------

                                    FORM S-8

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                               RENT-A-CENTER, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

          DELAWARE                                      48-1024367
(State or Other Jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)

                       5700 TENNYSON PARKWAY, THIRD FLOOR
                                   PLANO, TEXAS                    75024
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)     (Zip Code)

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                               RENT-A-CENTER, INC.
                            LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
                            (Full Title of the Plan)

                                 ROBERT D. DAVIS
                       5700 TENNYSON PARKWAY, THIRD FLOOR
                               DALLAS, TEXAS 75024
                     (Name and Address of Agent For Service)

                                 (972) 801-1100
          (Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Proposed           Proposed
     Title of            Amount           Maximum            Maximum         Amount of
    Securities            to be       Offering Price        Aggregate      Registration
 to be Registered      Registered        Per Share       Offering Price         Fee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>            <C>                <C>                <C>
Common Stock,
par value $0.01
per share              1,700,000          $46.975*         $79,857,500*      $19,964
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*        Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in
         accordance with Rule 457(h). Pursuant to Rule 457(h), this estimate is
         based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Registrant's
         common stock, par value $0.01 per share, on June 4, 2001 (as reported
         on The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.).

================================================================================

<PAGE>   2


                                EXPLANATORY NOTE

         This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed in order to register
an additional 1,700,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
Rent-A-Center, Inc. (f/k/a Renters Choice, Inc.) for issuance pursuant to the
Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended,
the "Plan"). The contents of (i) that earlier Registration Statement
(Registration No. 33-98800), which registered 1,500,000 shares (on a post-split
basis) for issuance under the Plan, filed October 31, 1995, (ii) that subsequent
Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-53471), which registered 1,500,000
shares (on a post-split basis) for issuance under the Plan, filed May 22, 1998,
(iii) that subsequent Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-66645), which
registered 1,500,000 shares (on a post-split basis) for issuance under the Plan,
filed November 2, 1998, and (iv) that subsequent Registration Statement
(Registration No. 333-40958), which registered 1,700,000 shares (on a post-split
basis) for issuance under the Plan, filed July 7, 2000, are each hereby
incorporated by reference.

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration
Statement the following documents filed by the Registrant with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"):

         (a)      The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 2000;

         (b)      The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the
                  quarter ended March 31, 2001;

         (c)      The Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 11,
                  2001;

         (d)      The Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 22,
                  2001; and

         (e)      The description of the Registrant's common stock, par value
                  $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), contained in the
                  Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed by the
                  Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the
                  Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for
                  the purpose of updating such description.

         All documents filed by the Registrant and the Plan pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment
which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters
all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date
of filing of such documents.


<PAGE>   3


ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS

5.1*     Opinion of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. regarding the validity of
         the securities being registered.

23.1*    Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.

23.2*    Consent of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. (included as part of
         Exhibit 5.1).

24.1*    Power of Attorney (See Page II-2 of this Registration Statement).

99.1*    Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan.

---------
*        Filed herewith.


<PAGE>   4


                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on June 8, 2001.

                                              RENT-A-CENTER, INC.


                                              By: /s/ J. Ernest Talley
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  J. Ernest Talley
                                                  Chairman of the Board and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer


                                      II-1

<PAGE>   5


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints J. Ernest Talley and Robert D.
Davis, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and on his behalf and in
his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
documents relating to this Registration Statement, including any and all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement,
and to file the same, with all exhibits and supplements thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same,
as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of
them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Signature                            Title                         Date
       ---------                            -----                         ----
<S>                            <C>                                    <C>
/s/ J. Ernest Talley                Chairman of the Board and         June 8, 2001
-------------------------      Chief Executive Officer (Principal
J. Ernest Talley                       Executive Officer)


/s/ Robert D. Davis             Senior Vice President of Finance,     June 8, 2001
-------------------------          Chief Financial Officer and
Robert D. Davis                Treasurer (Principal Financial and
                                       Accounting Officer)


/s/ L. Dowell Arnette                       Director                  June 8, 2001
-------------------------
L. Dowell Arnette

/s/ Laurence M. Berg                        Director                  June 8, 2001
-------------------------
Laurence M. Berg
</TABLE>


                                      II-2
<PAGE>   6


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Signature                            Title                         Date
       ---------                            -----                         ----
<S>                            <C>                                    <C>
/s/ Peter P. Copses                         Director                  June 8, 2001
-------------------------
Peter P. Copses


/s/ Mitchell E. Fadel                       Director                  June 8, 2001
-------------------------
Mitchell E. Fadel


/s/ J. V. Lentell                           Director                  June 8, 2001
-------------------------
J. V. Lentell


/s/ Mark E. Speese                          Director                  June 8, 2001
-------------------------
Mark E. Speese
</TABLE>


                                      II-3
<PAGE>   7

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
  NO.                              DESCRIPTION
-------                            -----------
<S>      <C>
5.1*     Opinion of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. regarding the validity of
         the securities being registered.

23.1*    Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.

23.2*    Consent of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. (included as part of
         Exhibit 5.1).

24.1*    Power of Attorney (See Page II-2 of this Registration Statement).

99.1*    Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan.
</TABLE>

---------
*        Filed herewith.

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>d88184ex5-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>OPINION/CONSENT OF WINSTEAD SECHERST & MINICK P.C.
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1



June 8, 2001

                                                       direct dial: 214.745.5201
                                                            thughes@winstead.com


Rent-A-Center, Inc.
5700 Tennyson Parkway
Third Floor
Plano, Texas 75024

         Re:  Rent-A-Center, Inc. - Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for Rent-A-Center, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration statement on
Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed by the Company with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, covering the registration of 1,700,000 shares (the "Shares") of the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), which may
hereafter be issued pursuant to the Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc.
Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

         In that connection, we have examined originals, or copies certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records
and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the
purposes of our opinion, including: (i) the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments thereto, (ii) the Company's
Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, and (iii) the applicable minutes of
meetings or consents in lieu of meetings of the Company's board of directors
(the "Board") and stockholders.

         For the purposes of expressing the opinion hereinafter set forth, we
have assumed: (i) the genuineness of all signatures and documents; (ii) the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals; (iii) the conformity
to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; (iv) the
correctness and accuracy of all facts set forth in the documents referred to in
this Opinion Letter; (v) the due authorization, execution, and delivery of and
the validity and binding effect of all documents; and (vi) compliance both in
the past and in the future with the terms of the Plan by the Company and its
employees, officers, the Board and any committees appointed to administer the
Plan.



<PAGE>   2



Rent-A-Center, Inc.
June 8, 2001
Page 2




         Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set forth
herein, we are of the opinion that upon the issuance of Shares in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Plan, including receipt prior to issuance
by the Company of the full consideration for the Shares (which consideration
shall be at least equal to the par value thereof), the Shares will be validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock.

         Our opinions herein are limited in all respects to the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which includes those statutory
provisions as well as all applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and
the reported judicial decisions interpreting such laws, and the federal laws of
the United States of America, and we do not express any opinion as to the
applicability of or the effect thereon of the laws of any other jurisdiction. We
express no opinion as to any matter other than as set forth herein, and no
opinion may be inferred or implied herefrom.

         This firm consents to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as
Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

                                               Very truly yours,



                                               Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C.



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>d88184ex23-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF GRANT THORNTON LLP.
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1




              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


We have issued our report dated February 9, 2001 accompanying the consolidated
financial statements of Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Subsidiaries appearing in the
2000 Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2000, which is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We
consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of the
aforementioned report.




GRANT THORNTON LLP


Dallas, Texas
June 6, 2001
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>d88184ex99-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>AMENDED & RESTATED LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                               RENT-A-CENTER, INC.

                            LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

         1. Objectives. The Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc. Long-Term
Incentive Plan (formerly known as the 1994 Renters Choice, Inc. Long-Term
Incentive Plan) is designed to retain selected employees, non-employee directors
and Independent Contractors (as herein defined) of Rent-A-Center, Inc. (formerly
known as Renters Choice, Inc.) (the "Company") and reward them for making
significant contributions to the success of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as
hereinafter defined). These objectives are to be accomplished by making awards
under the Plan and thereby providing Participants (as hereinafter defined) with
a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the Company and its
Subsidiaries.

         2. Definitions. As used herein, the terms set forth below shall have
the following respective meanings:

                  "Agreement" means a written agreement between the Company and
         a Participant that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations
         applicable to an Employee Award, a Director Option or an Independent
         Contractor Option.

                  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
         from time to time.

                  "Committee" means such committee of the Board as is designated
         by the Board to administer the Plan. The Committee shall be constituted
         to permit the Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3.

                  "Common Stock" means the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
         share, of the Company.

                  "Director" means an individual serving as a member of the
         Board who is not an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the
         Company.

                  "Director Option" means a nonqualified stock option granted to
         a Director under the terms of this Plan.

                  "Employee Award" means the grant of any form of Employee Stock
         Option, stock appreciation right, stock award or cash award, whether
         granted singly, in combination or in tandem, to an employee of the
         Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to any applicable terms, conditions
         and limitations as the Committee may establish in order to fulfill the
         objectives of the Plan.


<PAGE>   2


                  "Employee Stock Option" means an incentive stock option or a
         nonqualified stock option granted to an employee of the Company or any
         of its Subsidiaries under this Plan by the Committee.

                  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
         amended from time to time.

                  "Fair Market Value" means, as of a particular date, (a) if the
         shares of Common Stock are listed on a national securities exchange,
         the mean between the highest and lowest sales price per share of Common
         Stock on the consolidated transaction reporting system for the
         principal such national securities exchange on that date, or, if there
         shall have been no such sale so reported on that date, on the last
         preceding date on which such a sale was so reported, (b) if the shares
         of Common Stock are not so listed but are quoted on the Nasdaq National
         Market, the mean between the highest and lowest sales price per share
         of Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on that date, or, if
         there shall have been no such sale so reported on that date, on the
         last preceding date on which such a sale was so reported or (c) if the
         Common Stock is not so listed or quoted, the mean between the closing
         bid and asked price on that date, or, if there are no quotations
         available for such date, on the last preceding date on which such
         quotations shall be available, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market,
         Inc., or, if not reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., by the
         National Quotation Bureau, Inc.

                  "Independent Contractor" means any individual, partnership,
         limited liability company, corporation, joint stock company, trust,
         estate, joint venture, association or unincorporated organization or
         any other form of business organization who or which is engaged by the
         Company or any Subsidiary to render consulting, advisory or other
         independent contractor services, as defined by the Board.

                  "Independent Contractor Option" means a nonqualified stock
         option granted to an Independent Contractor under the terms of this
         Plan.

                  "Participant" means an employee of the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries to whom an Employee Award has been made, a Director to
         whom a Director Option has been made or an Independent Contractor to
         whom an Independent Contractor Option has been made under the terms of
         the Plan.

                  "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange
         Act, or any successor rule.

                  "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which the Company
         directly or indirectly owns shares representing more than 50% of the
         voting power of all classes or series of capital stock of such
         corporation which have the right to vote generally on matters submitted
         to a vote of the stockholders of such corporation.


                                       -2-
<PAGE>   3


         3. Eligibility.

                  (a) Employee Awards. All employees of the Company and its
         Subsidiaries are eligible for Employee Awards under this Plan. The
         Committee shall select the employees who shall become Participants in
         the Plan from time to time by the grant of Employee Awards under the
         Plan.

                  (b) Director Options. Recipients of Director Options shall
         include all persons who, as of the time Director Options are awarded,
         are serving as Directors of the Company.

                  (c) Independent Contractor Options. The Committee, in its
         discretion, shall determine which Independent Contractors are eligible
         to become Participants in the Plan from time to time by the grant of
         Independent Contractor Options under the Plan.

         4. Common Stock Available Under the Plan. There shall be available for
Employee Awards, Director Options and Independent Contractor Options, any of
which may be granted wholly or partly in Common Stock (including rights or
options which may be exercised for or settled in Common Stock) during the term
of this Plan an aggregate of 7,900,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to
adjustment as provided in Paragraph 15, 210,000 of which shall be set aside for
issuance pursuant to Director Options and 31,250 of which shall be set aside for
stock awards, as described in subparagraph 6(iii) hereof. The Board and the
appropriate officers of the Company shall from time to time take whatever
actions are necessary to file required documents with governmental authorities
and stock exchanges and transaction reporting systems to make shares of Common
Stock available for issuance pursuant to Employee Awards, Director Options and
Independent Contractor Options. Common Stock related to Employee Awards,
Director Options or Independent Contractor Options that are forfeited or
terminated, expire unexercised, are settled in cash in lieu of Common Stock or
in a manner such that all or some of the shares covered by an Employee Award, a
Director Option or an Independent Contractor Option are not issued to a
Participant, or are exchanged for Employee Awards that do not involve Common
Stock, shall immediately become available for Employee Awards, Director Options
and Independent Contractor Options hereunder. The Committee may from time to
time adopt and observe such procedures concerning the counting of shares against
the Plan maximum as it may deem appropriate under Rule 16b-3.

         5. Administration. This Plan shall be administered by the Committee,
which shall have full and exclusive power to interpret this Plan and to adopt
such rules, regulations and guidelines for carrying out this Plan as it may deem
necessary or proper, all of which powers shall be exercised in the best
interests of the Company and in keeping with the objectives of this Plan. The
Committee may, in its discretion, provide for the extension of the
exercisability of an Employee Award, a Director Option or an Independent
Contractor Option, accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an Employee
Award, a Director Option or an Independent Contractor Option, eliminate or make
less restrictive any restrictions contained in an Employee Award, a Director
Option or an Independent Contractor Option, waive any restriction or other
provision of an Employee Award, a Director Option or an Independent Contractor
Option or otherwise amend or modify an Employee Award, a Director Option or an
Independent Contractor Option in any manner that is either (a) not adverse to
the Participant holding such Employee Award, Director Option or Independent
Contractor Option


                                       -3-
<PAGE>   4


or (b) consented to by such Participant. The Committee may correct any defect or
supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan or in any
Employee Award, Director Option or Independent Contractor Option in the manner
and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or desirable to carry it into
effect. Any decision of the Committee in the interpretation and administration
of this Plan shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion and shall be
final, conclusive and binding on all parties concerned. No member of the
Committee or officer of the Company to whom it has delegated authority in
accordance with the provisions of this Plan shall be liable for anything done or
omitted to be done by him or her, by any member of the Committee or by any
officer of the Company in connection with the performance of any duties under
this Plan, except for his or her own willful misconduct or as expressly provided
by statute. The Committee may delegate to the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and to other senior officers of the Company its duties under this Plan
pursuant to such conditions or limitations as the Committee may establish,
except that the Committee may not delegate to any person the authority to grant
Employee Awards, Director Options or Independent Contractor Options to, or take
other action with respect to, Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act.

         6. Employee Awards. The Committee shall determine the type or types of
awards to be made to each Participant under this Plan. Each Employee Award made
hereunder shall be embodied in an Agreement, which shall contain such terms,
conditions and limitations as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion and shall be signed by the Participant and by the Chief Executive
Officer, the Chief Operating Officer or any Vice President of the Company for
and on behalf of the Company. Employee Awards may consist of those listed in
this Paragraph 6 and may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem.
Employee Awards may also be made in combination or in tandem with, in
replacement of, or as alternatives to grants or rights (a) under this Plan or
any other employee plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including the
plan of any acquired entity, or (b) made to any Company or Subsidiary employee
by the Company or any Subsidiary. An Employee Award may provide for the granting
or issuance of additional, replacement or alternative Employee Awards upon the
occurrence of specified events, including the exercise of the original Employee
Award. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Participant may be
granted Employee Awards consisting of stock options or stock appreciation rights
exercisable for more than 20% of the shares of Common Stock originally
authorized for Employee Awards under this Plan, subject to adjustment as
provided in Paragraph 15. In the event of an increase in the number of shares
authorized under the Plan, the 20% limitation will apply to the number of shares
authorized.

                           (i) Employee Stock Option. An Employee Award may
                  consist of a right to purchase a specified number of shares of
                  Common Stock at a price specified by the Committee in the
                  Agreement or otherwise. An Employee Stock Option may be in the
                  form of an incentive stock option ("ISO") which, in addition
                  to being subject to applicable terms, conditions and
                  limitations established by the Committee, complies with
                  Section 422 of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no ISO
                  can be granted under the Plan more than ten years following
                  the Effective Date of the Plan.

                           (ii) Stock Appreciation Right. An Employee Award may
                  consist of a right to receive a payment, in cash or Common
                  Stock, equal to the excess of the Fair


                                       -4-
<PAGE>   5


                  Market Value or other specified valuation of a specified
                  number of shares of Common Stock on the date the stock
                  appreciation right ("SAR") is exercised over a specified
                  strike price as set forth in the applicable Agreement.

                           (iii) Stock Award. An Employee Award may consist of
                  Common Stock or may be denominated in units of Common Stock.
                  All or part of any stock Employee Award may be subject to
                  conditions established by the Committee and set forth in the
                  Agreement, which conditions may include, but are not limited
                  to, continuous service with the Company and its Subsidiaries,
                  achievement of specific business objectives, increases in
                  specified indices, attaining specified growth rates and other
                  comparable measurements of performance. Such Employee Awards
                  may be based on Fair Market Value or other specified
                  valuations. The certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock
                  issued in connection with a stock Employee Award shall contain
                  appropriate legends and restrictions describing the terms and
                  conditions of the restrictions applicable thereto.

                           (iv) Cash Award. An Employee Award may be denominated
                  in cash with the amount of the eventual payment subject to
                  future service and such other restrictions and conditions as
                  may be established by the Committee and set forth in the
                  Agreement, including, but not limited to, continuous service
                  with the Company and its Subsidiaries, achievement of specific
                  business objectives, increases in specified indices, attaining
                  specified growth rates and other comparable measurements of
                  performance.

         7. Director Stock Options. Director Options shall be granted to each
eligible Director as of the date of consummation of the initial public offering
of the Common Stock providing for the purchase of 9,000 shares of Common Stock.
Commencing on January 1, 1996, automatic annual awards of Director Options shall
be made to each eligible Director on the first business day of the Company's
fiscal year, providing for the purchase of 3,000 shares of Common Stock;
provided that such Director Options shall provide for the purchase of 9,000
shares of Common Stock if the recipient of such Director Option had not
previously received a grant of a Director Option pursuant to this Plan. The
purchase price of each share of Common Stock placed under a Director Option
shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares on the date the Director
Option is granted; provided, that the purchase price of each share of Common
Stock placed under a Director Option on the date of consummation of the initial
public offering of the Common Stock shall be equal to the initial public
offering price of the Common Stock. Director Options shall terminate and be of
no force or effect with respect to any shares not previously purchased by the
Director Optionee upon the expiration of ten years from the date of granting of
each Director Option, notwithstanding any earlier termination of the Director
Optionee's status as a Director of the Company. All Director Options shall be
exercisable immediately on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
grant of Director Options shall be made unless the number of shares available
under the Plan is sufficient to make all automatic grants of Director Options on
the grant date. All Director Options shall be evidenced by a written Agreement
conforming with the terms of this Plan.


                                       -5-
<PAGE>   6


         8. Independent Contractor Options. Independent Contractor Options shall
be granted to each eligible Independent Contractor (as selected by the Board or
the Committee) pursuant to the terms of an Agreement. Independent Contractor
Options granted under this Plan will contain such terms and conditions with
respect to the death or disability of the Independent Contractor or termination
of the Independent Contractor's relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary as
the Committee or Board deems necessary and/or appropriate.

         9. Payment of Employee Awards.

                  (a) General. Payment of Employee Awards may be made in the
         form of cash or Common Stock or combinations thereof and may include
         such restrictions as the Committee shall determine including, in the
         case of Common Stock, restrictions on transfer and forfeiture
         provisions. As used herein, "Restricted Stock" means Common Stock that
         is restricted or subject to forfeiture provisions.

                  (b) Deferral. The Committee may, in its discretion, (i) permit
         selected Participants to elect to defer payments of some or all types
         of Employee Awards in accordance with procedures established by the
         Committee or (ii) provide for the deferral of an Employee Award in an
         Agreement or otherwise. Any such deferral may be in the form of
         installment payments or a future lump sum payment. Any deferred
         payment, whether elected by the Participant or specified by the
         Agreement or by the Committee, may be forfeited if and to the extent
         that the Agreement so provides.

                  (c) Dividends and Interest. Dividends or dividend equivalent
         rights may be extended to and made part of any Employee Award
         denominated in Common Stock or units of Common Stock, subject to such
         terms, conditions and restrictions as the Committee may establish. The
         Committee may also establish rules and procedures for the crediting of
         interest on deferred cash payments and dividend equivalents for
         deferred payment denominated in Common Stock or units of Common Stock.

                  (d) Substitution of Employee Awards. At the discretion of the
         Committee, a Participant may be offered an election to substitute an
         Employee Award for another Employee Award of the same or different
         type.

         10. Stock Option Exercise. The price at which shares of Common Stock
may be purchased under a stock option (whether pursuant to an Employee Award, a
Director Option or an Independent Contractor Option) shall be paid in full at
the time of exercise in cash or, if permitted by the Committee, by means of
tendering Common Stock or surrendering all or part of that or any other Employee
Award, including Restricted Stock, valued at Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise, or any combination thereof. The Committee shall determine acceptable
methods for tendering Common Stock or Employee Awards to exercise a stock option
as it deems appropriate. If permitted by the Committee, payment may be made by
successive exercises by the Participant. The Committee may provide for
procedures to permit the exercise or purchase of Employee Awards, Director
Options or Independent Contractor Options by (a) loans from the Company or (b)
use of the proceeds to be received from the sale of Common Stock issuable
pursuant to an Employee


                                       -6-
<PAGE>   7


Award, a Director Option or an Independent Contractor Option. Unless otherwise
provided in the applicable Agreement, in the event shares of Restricted Stock
are tendered as consideration for the exercise of a stock option, a number of
the shares issued upon the exercise of the stock option, equal to the number of
shares of Restricted Stock used as consideration therefor, shall be subject to
the same restrictions as the Restricted Stock so submitted as well as any
additional restrictions that may be imposed by the Committee.

         11. Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the right to deduct
applicable taxes from any Employee Award, Director Option or Independent
Contractor Option payment and withhold, as applicable, at the time of delivery
or vesting of cash or shares of Common Stock under this Plan, an appropriate
amount of cash or number of shares of Common Stock or a combination thereof for
payment of taxes required by law or to take such other action as may be
necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for
withholding of such taxes. The Committee may also permit withholding to be
satisfied by the transfer to the Company of shares of Common Stock theretofore
owned by the holder of the Employee Award, Director Option or Independent
Contractor Option with respect to which withholding is required. If shares of
Common Stock are used to satisfy tax withholding, such shares shall be valued
based on the Fair Market Value when the tax withholding is required to be made.

         12. Amendment, Modification, Suspension or Termination. The Board may
amend, modify, suspend or terminate this Plan for the purpose of meeting or
addressing any changes in legal requirements or for any other purpose permitted
by law except that (a) no amendment or alteration that would impair the rights
of any Participant under any Employee Award, Director Option or Independent
Contractor Option previously granted to such Participant shall be made without
such Participant's consent, and (b) no amendment or alteration shall be
effective prior to approval by the Company's stockholders to the extent such
approval is then required pursuant to Rule 16b-3 in order to preserve the
applicability of any exemption provided by such rule to any Employee Award,
Director Option or Independent Contractor Option then outstanding (unless the
Participant consents) or to the extent stockholder approval is otherwise
required by applicable legal requirements.

         13. Termination of Employment or Provision of Service. Upon the
termination of employment or provision of service by a Participant, any
unexercised, deferred or unpaid Employee Awards, Director Options or Independent
Contractor Options shall be treated as provided in the specific Agreement
evidencing the Employee Award, Director Option or Independent Contractor Option.
In the event of such a termination, the Committee may, in its discretion,
provide for the extension of the exercisability of an Employee Award, a Director
Option or an Independent Contractor Option, accelerate the vesting or
exercisability of an Employee Award, a Director Option or an Independent
Contractor Option, eliminate or make less restrictive any restrictions contained
in an Employee Award, a Director Option or an Independent Contractor Option,
waive any restriction or other provision of this Plan or an Employee Award, a
Director Option or an Independent Contractor Option or otherwise amend or modify
the Employee Award, Director Option or Independent Contractor Option in any
manner that is either (a) not adverse to such Participant or (b) consented to by
such Participant.


                                       -7-
<PAGE>   8


         14. Assignability. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and
provided in the Agreement, no Employee Award, Director Option, Independent
Contractor Option or any other benefit under this Plan constituting a derivative
security within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(c) under the Exchange Act shall be
assignable or otherwise transferable except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined by
the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, or the rules thereunder. The Committee may prescribe and include in
applicable Agreements other restrictions on transfer. Any attempted assignment
of an Employee Award, a Director Option, an Independent Contractor Option or any
other benefit under this Plan in violation of this Paragraph 14 shall be null
and void.

         15. Adjustments.

                  (a) The existence of outstanding Employee Awards, Director
         Options or Independent Contractor Options shall not affect in any
         manner the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or
         authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations or
         other changes in the capital stock of the Company or its business or
         any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issue of bonds,
         debentures, preferred or prior preference stock (whether or not such
         issue is prior to, on a parity with or junior to the Common Stock) or
         the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer
         of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate
         act or proceeding of any kind, whether or not of a character similar to
         that of the acts or proceedings enumerated above.

                  (b) In the event of any subdivision or consolidation of
         outstanding shares of Common Stock or declaration of a dividend payable
         in shares of Common Stock or capital reorganization or reclassification
         or other transaction involving an increase or reduction in the number
         of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Committee may adjust
         proportionally (i) the number of shares of Common Stock reserved under
         this Plan and covered by outstanding Employee Awards, Director Options
         and Independent Contractor Options denominated in Common Stock or units
         of Common Stock; (ii) the exercise or other price in respect of such
         Employee Awards, Director Options and Independent Contractor Options;
         and (iii) the appropriate Fair Market Value and other price
         determinations for such Employee Awards, Director Options and
         Independent Contractor Options. In the event of any consolidation or
         merger of the Company with another corporation or entity or the
         adoption by the Company of a plan of exchange affecting the Common
         Stock or any distribution to holders of Common Stock of securities or
         property (other than normal cash dividends or dividends payable in
         Common Stock), the Committee shall make such adjustments or other
         provisions as it may deem equitable, including adjustments to avoid
         fractional shares, to give proper effect to such event. In the event of
         a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock,
         separation, reorganization or liquidation, the Committee shall be
         authorized to issue or assume stock options, regardless of whether in a
         transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies, by means of
         substitution of new options for previously issued options or an
         assumption of previously issued options, or to make provision for the
         acceleration of the exercisability of, or lapse of restrictions with
         respect to, Employee Awards, Director Options or Independent Contractor
         Options and the termination of unexercised options in connection with
         such transaction.


                                       -8-
<PAGE>   9


         16. Restrictions. No Common Stock or other form of payment shall be
issued with respect to any Employee Award, Director Option or Independent
Contractor Option unless the Company shall be satisfied based on the advice of
its counsel that such issuance will be in compliance with applicable federal and
state securities laws. It is the intent of the Company that this Plan comply
with Rule 16b-3 with respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the Exchange
Act unless otherwise provided herein or in an Agreement, that any ambiguities or
inconsistencies in the construction of this Plan be interpreted to give effect
to such intention and that, if any provision of this Plan is found not to be in
compliance with Rule 16b-3, such provision shall be null and void to the extent
required to permit this Plan to comply with Rule 16b-3. Certificates evidencing
shares of Common Stock delivered under this Plan may be subject to such stop
transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under
the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, any securities exchange or transaction reporting system upon which
the Common Stock is then listed and any applicable federal and state securities
law. The Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed upon any such
certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

         17. Unfunded Plan. Insofar as it provides for Employee Awards of cash,
and Employee Awards, Director Options and Independent Contractor Options
covering Common Stock or rights thereto, this Plan shall be unfunded. Although
bookkeeping accounts may be established with respect to Participants who are
entitled to cash, Common Stock or rights thereto under this Plan, any such
accounts shall be used merely as a bookkeeping convenience. The Company shall
not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by
cash, Common Stock or rights thereto, nor shall this Plan be construed as
providing for such segregation, nor shall the Company, the Board or the
Committee be deemed to be a trustee of any cash, Common Stock or rights thereto
to be granted under this Plan. Any liability or obligation of the Company to any
Participant with respect to a grant of cash, Common Stock or rights thereto
under this Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that may
be created by this Plan and any Agreement, and no such liability or obligation
of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge or other encumbrance
on any property of the Company. None of the Company, the Board or the Committee
shall be required to give any security or bond for the performance of any
obligation that may be created by this Plan.

         18. Governing Law. This Plan and all determinations made and actions
taken pursuant hereto, to the extent not otherwise governed by mandatory
provisions of the Code or the securities laws of the United States, shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.

         19. Effective Date of Plan.

                  (a) This Plan was approved by the Board of Directors of the
         Company as of December 5, 1994, and by the unanimous written consent
         dated as of December 21, 1994, of the holders of all of the shares of
         Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon.

                  (b) The Plan was amended effective May 20, 1996 for the
         purpose of increasing the number of shares reserved for issuance under
         the Plan from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000. The


                                       -9-
<PAGE>   10


         amendments to the Plan were approved by the Board of Directors of the
         Company as of March 18, 1996, and by the holders of a majority of the
         issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company as of May
         20, 1996.

                  (c) The Plan was again amended effective May 21, 1998 for the
         purpose of increasing the number of shares reserved for issuance under
         the Plan from 2,000,000 to 3,000,000. The amendment to the Plan was
         approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on March 16, 1998,
         and by the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares
         of Common Stock of the Company on May 18, 1998. For purposes of ease of
         administration and clarity of reference, the Plan was amended and
         restated to incorporate the 1996 and the 1998 amendments.

                  (d) The Plan was again amended on September 14, 1998 for the
         purpose of increasing the number of shares reserved for issuance under
         the Plan from 3,000,000 to 4,500,000. The amendment to the Plan was
         approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on September 14, 1998
         and by the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares
         of Common Stock of the Company on October 20, 1998. For purposes of
         ease of administration and clarity of reference, the Plan was amended
         and restated to incorporate all amendments.

                  (e) The Plan was amended by the Board of Directors in January
         2000 for the purpose of adding independent contractors as participants
         under the Plan. In March 2000, the Plan was amended by the Board of
         Directors to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under
         the Plan from 4,500,000 to 6,200,000. These amendments were approved by
         the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of
         Common Stock and Preferred Stock of the Company entitled to vote
         thereon on May 16, 2000. For purposes of ease of administration and
         clarity of reference, the Plan was amended and restated to incorporate
         all amendments.

                  (f) The Plan was again amended by the Board of Directors on
         March 20, 2001 for purposes of increasing the number of shares reserved
         for issuance under the Plan from 6,200,000 to 7,900,000, reducing the
         number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan for director
         options from 496,000 to 210,000 and reducing the number of shares
         reserved for issuance under the Plan for employee stock awards from
         310,000 to 31,250. The amendment to the Plan was approved by the Board
         of Directors of the Company on March 20, 2001 and by the holders of a
         majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
         Company on May 15, 2001. For purposes of ease of administration and
         clarity of reference, the Plan was amended and restated to incorporate
         all amendments.


                                              RENT-A-CENTER, INC.


                                      -10-
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
