10-Q 1 rac10-q_q12018.htm 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)

ý | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018
or

¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-38047
Rent-A-Center, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware |  | 45-0491516
(State or other jurisdiction of |  | (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) |  | Identification No.)

5501 Headquarters Drive
Plano, Texas 75024
(Address, including zip code of registrant’s
principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 972-801-1100
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES ý NO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES ý NO ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer | ý |  |  | Accelerated filer | ¨
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |  | Smaller reporting company | ¨
Emerging Growth Company | ¨ |  |  |  |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. | ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES ¨ NO ý
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of April 30, 2018:

Class |  | Outstanding
Common stock, $.01 par value per share |  | 53,414,526

TABLE OF CONTENTS

|  | Page No.
PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Item 1. | Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 | 1
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 | 2
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 | 3
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 | 4
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | 5
Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 17
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 27
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 27
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION |
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 28
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 29
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 29
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 29
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 29
Item 5. | Other Information | 29
Item 6. | Exhibits | 30
SIGNATURES |

i

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2018 |  | 2017
(In thousands, except per share data) | Unaudited
Revenues |  |  |
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 |
Cost of revenues |  |  |
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 cost of merchandise sold | 3,375 |  |  | 2,982 |
Total cost of revenues | 261,065 |  |  | 279,323 |
Gross profit | 436,978 |  |  | 462,663 |
Operating expenses |  |  |
Store 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 | $ | — |  |  | $ | 0.08 |

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
1

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2018 |  | 2017
(In thousands) | Unaudited
Net loss | $ | (19,843 | ) |  | $ | (6,679 | )
Other comprehensive income: |  |  |
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 | )

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

| March 31, 2018 |  | December 31, 2017
(In thousands, except share and par value data) | Unaudited |  |
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 |  |  | — |
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 |

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2018 |  | 2017
(In thousands) | Unaudited
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 | ) |  | — |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 374 |  |  | (21,573 | )
Cash flows from financing activities |  |  |
Exercise of stock options | 375 |  |  | — |
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 | — |  |  | (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 |

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 - 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.
5

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
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
6

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
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.
Note 2 - 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.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
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.
Note 3 - 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 |

Note 4 - 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
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
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.

9

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
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%.
10

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
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.
Note 5 - 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.
11

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
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.
Note 6 - 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 | )

Note 7 - 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.
12

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
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.
Note 8 - 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.
13

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)

| 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 |

14

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)

(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 |

Note 9 - 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.
Note 10 - 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.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 11 - 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.

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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “aims,” “intends,” or “projects.” A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances, and those future events or circumstances may not occur. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Our actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not rely on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Any or all of the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any other public statement made by us, including by our management, may turn out to be incorrect. We are including this cautionary note to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to:

• | the general strength of the economy and other economic conditions affecting consumer preferences and spending:

• | factors affecting the disposable income available to our current and potential customers;

• | changes in the unemployment rate;

• | uncertainties concerning the outcome, impact, effects and results of the exploration of our strategic and financial alternatives;

• | difficulties encountered in improving the financial and operational performance of our business segments;

• | our ability to refinance our senior credit facility expiring in early 2019 on favorable terms, if at all;

• | risks associated with pricing changes and strategies being deployed in our businesses;

• | our ability to realize any benefits from our initiatives regarding cost-savings and other EBITDA enhancements, efficiencies and working capital improvements;

• | our chief executive officer transition, including our ability to effectively operate and execute our strategies during the transition period;

• | our ability to execute our franchise strategy;

• | failure to manage our store labor and other store expenses;

• | our ability to develop and successfully execute strategic initiatives;

• | disruptions caused by the operation of our store information management system;

• | our transition to more-readily scalable, "cloud-based" solutions;

• | our ability to develop and successfully implement digital or E-commerce capabilities, including mobile applications;

• | disruptions in our supply chain;

• | limitations of, or disruptions in, our distribution network, and the impact, effects and results of the changes we have made and are making to our distribution methods;

• | rapid inflation or deflation in the prices of our products;

• | our available cash flow;

• | our ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to our customer demographic;

• | consumer preferences and perceptions of our brands;

• | our ability to control costs and increase profitability;

• | our ability to execute and the effectiveness of a store consolidation, including our ability to retain the revenue from customer accounts merged into another store location as a result of a store consolidation;

• | our ability to retain the revenue associated with acquired customer accounts and enhance the performance of acquired stores;

• | our ability to enter into new and collect on our rental or lease purchase agreements;

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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

• | the passage of legislation adversely affecting the Rent-to-Own industry;

• | our compliance with applicable statutes or regulations governing our transactions;

• | changes in interest rates;

• | adverse changes in the economic conditions of the industries, countries or markets that we serve;

• | information technology and data security costs;

• | the impact of any breaches in data security or other disturbances to our information technology and other networks and our ability to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of our customers and employees;

• | changes in our stock price, the number of shares of common stock that we may or may not repurchase, and our dividend policy and any changes thereto, if any;

• | changes in estimates relating to self-insurance liabilities and income tax and litigation reserves;

• | changes in our effective tax rate;

• | fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

• | our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls;

• | the resolution of our litigation; and

• | the other risks detailed from time to time in our reports furnished or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Additional important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations are discussed under the section “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as required by law, we are not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Our Business
We are one of the largest rent-to-own operators in North America, focused on improving the quality of life for our customers by providing them the opportunity to obtain ownership of high-quality durable products, such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, (including tablets), smartphones, and furniture (including accessories), under flexible rental purchase agreements with no long-term obligation. We were incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1986.
Our Strategy
Our strategy focuses on several improvement areas including a significant cost savings plan, a more targeted value proposition, and a refranchising program.

• | The Company is targeting significant cost savings opportunities across the business in the areas of overhead, supply chain and other store expenses.

• | The updated value proposition in the Core is intended to improve traffic trends with a balanced approach of competitively pricing elastic categories while capturing more margin in inelastic categories.

• | Within Acceptance NOW, the value proposition will center around improved return on investment through a shorter payback period and higher ownership levels.

• | Refranchising certain brick and mortar locations will enable the Company to maintain and grow its presence while using proceeds to pay down debt.

Recent Developments
2018 Cost Savings Initiatives. During the first quarter of 2018, we began execution of multiple cost savings initiatives, including reductions in corporate and field overhead, supply chain, information technology, and the closure of underperforming stores in our Core U.S. and Mexico segments. In connection with these initiatives we incurred approximately $14.9 million in other charges for the three months ending March 31, 2018, primarily related to severance and other payroll related costs, lease obligations costs, asset write-offs, and miscellaneous shut down costs. In addition, in April 2018, we issued official notice of termination of our contract with a distribution partner resulting in estimated contract termination fees of approximately $7 million, which will be reflected in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ending June 30, 2018.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Results of Operations
The following discussion focuses on our results of operations and issues related to our liquidity and capital resources. You should read this discussion in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Overview
During the first three months of 2018, we experienced a decline in revenues, gross profit and operating profit driven primarily by reductions in our store base for the Core U.S. and Acceptance Now segments, impacts related to the 2017 hurricanes, and an increase in other charges, partially offset by increases in same store sales. Other charges were primarily comprised of cost savings initiatives, including reductions in overhead and supply chain, store closures, incremental legal and advisory fees, capitalized software write-downs, and impacts related to the 2017 hurricanes and previous store closure plans.
Revenues in our Core U.S. segment decreased approximately $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to rationalization of our Core U.S. store base in the prior year, partially offset by increases in same store sales. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased 1.0% due to the intercompany book value adjustment of Acceptance Now returned product transferred to Core U.S. stores. Labor and other store expenses decreased approximately $2.4 million and $7.2 million, respectively.
The Acceptance Now segment revenues decreased by approximately $37.6 million or 16.0%, primarily due to location closures for Conn's and hhgregg, partially offset by increases in same store sales. Gross profit as a percent of revenue decreased 3.7% primarily due to merchandise resulting from the intercompany book value adjustment of Acceptance Now returned product transferred to Core U.S. stores, and lower gross margins on merchandise sales driven by our continued focus to encourage ownership and reduce returned product. Operating profit as a percent of revenue declined 1.0%, primarily due to sales deleverage.
Gross profit for the Mexico segment as a percentage of revenue decreased by 1.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, driven by lower rental sales gross margin and merchandise sales gross margin.
Cash flow from operations was $84.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. We paid down debt by $77.6 million during the first three months of the year, ending the period with $81.4 million of cash and cash equivalents.
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The following table is a reference for the discussion that follows.

| Three Months Ended |  |  |  |
| March 31, |  | Change
(dollar amounts in thousands) | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | $ |  | %
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Store |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Rentals and fees | $ | 564,714 |  |  | $ | 595,414 |  |  | $ | (30,700 | ) |  | (5.2 | )%
Merchandise sales | 107,356 |  |  | 121,722 |  |  | (14,366 | ) |  | (11.8 | )%
Installment sales | 16,404 |  |  | 16,757 |  |  | (353 | ) |  | (2.1 | )%
Other | 2,584 |  |  | 2,652 |  |  | (68 | ) |  | (2.6 | )%
Total store revenue | 691,058 |  |  | 736,545 |  |  | (45,487 | ) |  | (6.2 | )%
Franchise |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Merchandise sales | 3,634 |  |  | 3,321 |  |  | 313 |  |  | 9.4 | %
Royalty income and fees | 3,351 |  |  | 2,120 |  |  | 1,231 |  |  | 58.1 | %
Total revenues | 698,043 |  |  | 741,986 |  |  | (43,943 | ) |  | (5.9 | )%
Cost of revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Store |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cost of rentals and fees | 156,095 |  |  | 162,033 |  |  | (5,938 | ) |  | (3.7 | )%
Cost of merchandise sold | 96,353 |  |  | 109,124 |  |  | (12,771 | ) |  | (11.7 | )%
Cost of installment sales | 5,242 |  |  | 5,184 |  |  | 58 |  |  | 1.1 | %
Total cost of store revenues | 257,690 |  |  | 276,341 |  |  | (18,651 | ) |  | (6.7 | )%
Franchise cost of merchandise sold | 3,375 |  |  | 2,982 |  |  | 393 |  |  | 13.2 | %
Total cost of revenues | 261,065 |  |  | 279,323 |  |  | (18,258 | ) |  | (6.5 | )%
Gross profit | 436,978 |  |  | 462,663 |  |  | (25,685 | ) |  | (5.6 | )%
Operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Store expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Labor | 181,074 |  |  | 192,107 |  |  | (11,033 | ) |  | (5.7 | )%
Other store expenses | 185,949 |  |  | 197,440 |  |  | (11,491 | ) |  | (5.8 | )%
General and administrative expenses | 44,870 |  |  | 39,772 |  |  | 5,098 |  |  | 12.8 | %
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles | 17,900 |  |  | 18,541 |  |  | (641 | ) |  | (3.5 | )%
Other charges | 17,455 |  |  | 13,651 |  |  | 3,804 |  |  | 27.9 | %
Total operating expenses | 447,248 |  |  | 461,511 |  |  | (14,263 | ) |  | (3.1 | )%
Operating (loss) profit | (10,270 | ) |  | 1,152 |  |  | (11,422 | ) |  | (991.5 | )%
Interest, net | 11,151 |  |  | 11,474 |  |  | (323 | ) |  | (2.8 | )%
Loss before income taxes | (21,421 | ) |  | (10,322 | ) |  | (11,099 | ) |  | (107.5 | )%
Income benefit expense | (1,578 | ) |  | (3,643 | ) |  | 2,065 |  |  | 56.7 | %
Net loss | $ | (19,843 | ) |  | $ | (6,679 | ) |  | $ | (13,164 | ) |  | (197.1 | )%

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018, compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Store Revenue. Total store revenue decreased by $45.5 million, or 6.2%, to $691.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $736.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. This was primarily due to decreases of approximately $37.6 million and $8.9 million in the Acceptance Now and Core U.S. segments, respectively, as discussed further in the segment performance section below.
Same store revenue is reported on a constant currency basis and generally represents revenue earned in 2,261 locations that were operated by us for 13 months or more, excluding any store that receives a certain level of customer accounts from another store (acquisition or merger). Receiving stores will be eligible for inclusion in the same store sales base in the twenty-fourth full month following the account transfer. In addition, due to the severity of the hurricane impacts, we instituted a change to the same store sales store selection criteria to exclude stores in geographically impacted regions for 18 months. Same store revenues increased by $3.4 million, or 0.8%, to $422.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $419.3 million in 2017. The increase in same store revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in the Core U.S. segment, as discussed further in the segment performance section below.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Cost of Rentals and Fees. Cost of rentals and fees consists primarily of depreciation of rental merchandise. Cost of rentals and fees for the three months ended March 31, 2018, decreased by $5.9 million, or 3.7%, to $156.1 million as compared to $162.0 million in 2017. This decrease in cost of rentals and fees was primarily attributable to decreases of $4.2 million and $2.1 million in the Acceptance Now and Core U.S. segments, respectively, as a result of lower rentals and fees revenue. Cost of rentals and fees expressed as a percentage of rentals and fees revenue increased to 27.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to 27.2% in 2017.
Cost of Merchandise Sold. Cost of merchandise sold decreased by $12.8 million, or 11.7%, to $96.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $109.1 million in 2017, primarily attributable to a decrease of $7.7 million and $5.1 million in the Acceptance Now and Core U.S. segments. The gross margin percent of merchandise sales decreased to 10.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from 10.3% in 2017.
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased by $25.7 million, or 5.6%, to $437.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $462.7 million in 2017, due primarily to decreases of $25.6 million in the Acceptance Now segment, as discussed further in the segment performance section below. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 62.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to 62.4% in 2017.
Store Labor. Store labor decreased by $11.0 million, or 5.7%, to $181.1 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $192.1 million in 2017, primarily attributable to decreases of $8.7 million and $2.4 million in the Acceptance Now and Core U.S. segments, respectively, as a result of a lower Core U.S. store base, and closure of Acceptance Now locations in the first half of 2017. Store labor expressed as a percentage of total store revenue was 26.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to 26.1% in 2017.
Other Store Expenses. Other store expenses decreased by $11.5 million, or 5.8%, to $185.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $197.4 million in 2017, primarily attributable to a decrease of $7.2 million and $5.6 million in the Core U.S. and Acceptance Now segment as a result of lower customer stolen merchandise losses, lower store count and lower advertising expenses. Other store expenses expressed as a percentage of total store revenue were 26.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 26.8% in 2017.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $5.1 million, or 12.8%, to $44.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $39.8 million in 2017, primarily attributable to the reversal of unvested stock compensation previously granted to former executives, and capitalized labor write-offs, as a result of the discontinuation of certain IT software projects in first quarter of 2018. General and administrative expenses expressed as a percentage of total revenue were 6.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 5.4% in 2017.
Other Charges. Other charges increased by $3.8 million, or 27.9%, to $17.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $13.7 million in 2017. Other charges for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 primarily related to cost savings initiatives, including reductions in corporate and field overhead, and supply chain, Core U.S. store closures, incremental legal and advisory fees, and capitalized software write-downs, partially offset by impacts related to the 2017 hurricanes and previous store closure plans.
Operating (Loss) Profit. Operating results decreased by $11.4 million, to a loss of $10.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to a profit of $1.2 million in 2017, primarily due to decreases of $5.2 million in the Acceptance Now segment, as discussed further in the segment performance sections below. Operating results expressed as a percentage of total revenue was (1.5)% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 0.2% in 2017, primarily due to the decrease in gross profit for the Acceptance Now segment, and increases in general & administrative expenses and other charges as discussed above. Excluding other charges, operating profit was $7.2 million, or 1.0% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $14.8 million, or 2.0% of revenue for the comparable period of 2017.
Income Tax. Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $1.6 million, as compared to $3.6 million in 2017. The effective tax rate was 7.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 35.3% in 2017. The change in effective tax rate was primarily due to the reduction of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% in 2018 as a result of the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), and recognition of tax benefit on pre-tax book losses adversely affected by realization of excess tax deficiencies of stock-based compensation.
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Segment Performance
Core U.S. segment

| Three Months Ended |  |  |  |
| March 31, |  | Change
(dollar amounts in thousands) | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | $ |  | %
Revenues | $ | 482,041 |  |  | $ | 490,899 |  |  | $ | (8,858 | ) |  | (1.8 | )%
Gross profit | 336,241 |  |  | 337,954 |  |  | (1,713 | ) |  | (0.5 | )%
Operating profit | 28,387 |  |  | 24,402 |  |  | 3,985 |  |  | 16.3 | %
Change in same store revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.3 | %
Stores in same store revenue calculation |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,709

Revenues. The decrease in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was driven primarily by a decrease in rentals and fees revenue of $5.8 million, compared to 2017. This decrease is primarily due to rationalization of our Core U.S. store base in the prior year, partially offset by increases in same store sales.
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to 2017, primarily due to the decrease in store revenue described above. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues increased to 69.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to 68.8% in 2017, primarily due to the intercompany book value adjustment of Acceptance Now returned product transferred to Core U.S. stores.
Operating Profit. Operating profit as a percentage of segment revenues was 5.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 5.0% in 2017, primarily due to decreases in store labor and other store expenses of $2.4 million and $7.2 million, respectively. Declines in store labor and other store expenses were driven primarily by lower store count, lower customer stolen merchandise losses, and lower advertising expenses. Charge-offs in our Core U.S. rent-to-own stores due to customer stolen merchandise, expressed as a percentage of Core U.S. rent-to-own revenues, were approximately 3.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. Charge-offs in our Core U.S. rent-to-own stores due to other merchandise losses, expressed as a percentage of Core U.S. rent-to-own revenues, were approximately 1.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 1.9% in 2017. Other merchandise losses include unrepairable and missing merchandise, and loss/damage waiver claims.
Acceptance Now segment

| Three Months Ended |  |  |  |
| March 31, |  | Change
(dollar amounts in thousands) | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | $ |  | %
Revenues | $ | 196,986 |  |  | $ | 234,546 |  |  | $ | (37,560 | ) |  | (16.0 | )%
Gross profit | 88,805 |  |  | 114,429 |  |  | (25,624 | ) |  | (22.4 | )%
Operating profit | 15,430 |  |  | 20,619 |  |  | (5,189 | ) |  | (25.2 | )%
Change in same store revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.3 | %
Stores in same store revenue calculation |  |  |  |  |  |  | 444 |

Revenues. The decrease in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, was driven primarily by store closures for Conn's and hhgregg, and impacts from the 2017 hurricanes, partially offset by increases in same store sales.
Gross profit. Gross profit decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 2017, primarily due to the decrease in revenue described above. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues was 45.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 48.8% in 2017, primarily due to the intercompany book value adjustment of Acceptance Now returned product transferred to Core U.S. stores.
Operating profit. Operating profit decreased by 25.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to 2017. The decrease in operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily due to increased rental merchandise losses, charges incurred for store closures, and sales deleverage. Excluding other charges, operating profit decreased by 34.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to 2017. Charge-offs in our Acceptance Now locations due to customer stolen merchandise, expressed as a percentage of revenues, were approximately 8.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 11.7% in 2017. Excluding other charges, charge-offs due to customer stolen merchandise were 8.9% for the three three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 9.4% in 2017. Charge-offs in our Acceptance Now locations due to other merchandise losses, expressed as a percentage of revenues, were approximately 0.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 1.0% in 2017.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Mexico segment

| Three Months Ended |  |  |  |
| March 31, |  | Change
(dollar amounts in thousands) | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | $ |  | %
Revenues | $ | 12,031 |  |  | $ | 11,100 |  |  | $ | 931 |  |  | 8.4 | %
Gross profit | 8,322 |  |  | 7,821 |  |  | 501 |  |  | 6.4 | %
Operating profit | 497 |  |  | 161 |  |  | 336 |  |  | 208.7 | %
Change in same store revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.7 | %
Stores in same store revenue calculation |  |  |  |  |  |  | 108 |

Revenues. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were positively impacted by approximately $0.9 million due to exchange rate fluctuations as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were flat on a constant currency basis.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was positively impacted by approximately $0.7 million due to exchange rate fluctuations. On a constant currency basis, gross profit decreased primarily as a result of lower rental sales gross margin and merchandise sales gross margin. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues was 69.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 70.5% in 2017.
Operating Profit. Operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was minimally impacted by the exchange rate fluctuations compared to 2017. On a constant currency basis, operating profit as a percentage of segment revenues increased to 4.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from 1.5% for the respective period in 2017. Operating profit included other charges of $0.3 million, primarily related to store closures during the first quarter of 2018. Excluding other charges, operating results as a percentage of segment revenues would have been 7.3% and 1.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Franchising segment

| Three Months Ended |  |  |  |
| March 31, |  | Change
(dollar amounts in thousands) | 2018 |  | 2017 |  | $ |  | %
Revenues | $ | 6,985 |  |  | $ | 5,441 |  |  | $ | 1,544 |  |  | 28.4 | %
Gross profit | 3,610 |  |  | 2,459 |  |  | 1,151 |  |  | 46.8 | %
Operating profit | 1,256 |  |  | 1,441 |  |  | (185 | ) |  | (12.8 | )%

Revenues. Revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the respective period in 2017, primarily due to change in accounting for franchise advertising fees as a result of the adoption of ASC 606. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 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, as they are presented in the three months ended March 31, 2017.
Gross Profit. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues increased to 51.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from 45.2% for the respective period in 2017.
Operating Profit. Operating profit as a percentage of segment revenues decreased to 18.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 26.5% for the respective period in 2017.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, we generated $84.5 million in operating cash flow. We paid down debt by $77.6 million from cash generated from operations and also used cash in the amount of $8.6 million for capital expenditures, ending the three-month period with $81.4 million of cash and cash equivalents.
Analysis of Cash Flow. Cash provided by operating activities increased $25.2 million to $84.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $59.3 million in 2017. This was primarily attributable to the net changes in operating assets and liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.
Cash provided by investing activities increased approximately $21.9 million to $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $(21.6) million in 2017, due primarily to an increase in proceeds from the sale of property assets and a decrease in capital expenditures.
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Cash used in financing activities was $77.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $76.0 million in 2017, a change of $1.4 million, primarily driven by our net reduction in debt of $77.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to a net decrease in debt of $71.6 million for the comparable period in 2017, offset by a $4.3 million decrease in dividend payments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.
Liquidity Requirements. 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. In the future, to provide any additional funds necessary for the continued operations and expansion of our business, we may incur from time to time additional short-term or long-term bank indebtedness and may issue, in public or private transactions, equity and debt securities. The availability and attractiveness of any outside sources of financing will depend on a number of factors, some of which relate to our financial condition and performance, and some of which are beyond our control, such as prevailing interest rates and general financing and economic conditions. There can be no assurance that additional financing will be available, or if available, that it will be on terms we find acceptable.
Should we require additional funding sources, we maintain revolving credit facilities, including a $12.5 million line of credit at INTRUST Bank, N.A. 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 believe the cash flow generated from operations, together with amounts available under our Credit Agreement for the remainder of its term, will be sufficient to fund our liquidity requirements during the next 12 months. While our operating cash flow has been strong and we expect this strength to continue, our liquidity could be negatively impacted if we do not remain as profitable as we expect. At April 30, 2018, we had $57.8 million in cash on hand, and $172.8 million available under our Revolving Facility at March 31, 2018, net of the $50 million of excess availability we must maintain on the Revolving Facility as a result of being out of compliance with our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant.
A change in control would result in an event of default under our senior credit facilities which would allow our lenders to accelerate the indebtedness owed to them. In addition, if a change in control occurs, we may be required to offer to repurchase all of our outstanding senior unsecured notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest to the date of repurchase. Our senior credit facilities limit our ability to repurchase the senior unsecured notes, including in the event of a change in control. In the event a change in control occurs, we cannot be sure we would have enough funds to immediately pay our accelerated senior credit facilities and senior note obligations or that we would be able to obtain financing to do so on favorable terms, if at all.
Deferred Taxes. Certain federal tax legislation enacted during the period 2009 to 2014 permitted bonus first-year depreciation deductions ranging from 50% to 100% of the adjusted basis of qualified property placed in service during such years. The depreciation benefits associated with these tax acts are now reversing. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 ("PATH") extended the 50% bonus depreciation to 2015 and through September 26, 2017, when it was updated by The Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act allows 100% bonus depreciation for certain property placed in service between September 27, 2017 and December 31, 2022, at which point it will begin to phase out. The PATH act and the Tax Act resulted in an estimated benefit of $184 million for us in 2017. We estimate the remaining tax deferral associated with these acts is approximately $140 million at March 31, 2018, of which approximately 77%, or $108 million will reverse in 2018, and the majority of the remainder will reverse between 2019 and 2020.
Tax Act. We expect that the Tax Act will generate cash tax savings to the Company of approximately $200 million over the next 3 years, mainly due to the decrease in the tax rate and the initial acceleration of depreciation. This deferral of tax due to acceleration of depreciation will cause additional cash taxes in the future as the deferral reverses.
Merchandise Losses. Merchandise losses consist of the following:

| Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands) | 2018 |  | 2017
Customer stolen merchandise | $ | 34,872 |  |  | $ | 45,561 |
Other merchandise losses (1) | 8,179 |  |  | 11,504 |
Total merchandise losses | $ | 43,051 |  |  | $ | 57,065 |

(1) | Other merchandise losses include unrepairable and missing merchandise, and loss/damage waiver claims.

Capital Expenditures. We make capital expenditures in order to maintain our existing operations as well as for new capital assets in new and acquired stores, and investment in information technology. We spent $8.6 million and $22.0 million on capital expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the respective period in 2017, is primarily due to cash payments related to information technology investments and store refreshes in the prior year.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Acquisitions and New Location Openings. During the first three months of 2018, we acquired one new location and customer accounts for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $0.4 million in one transaction.
The table below summarizes the location activity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018.

| Core U.S. |  | Acceptance Now Staffed |  | Acceptance Now Direct |  | Mexico |  | Franchising |  | Total
Locations at beginning of period | 2,381 |  |  | 1,106 |  |  | 125 |  |  | 131 |  |  | 225 |  |  | 3,968 |
New location openings | — |  |  | 47 |  |  | 5 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 52 |
Acquired locations remaining open | 1 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 31 |  |  | 32 |
Conversions | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Closed locations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Merged with existing locations | (62 | ) |  | (35 | ) |  | (5 | ) |  | (8 | ) |  | — |  |  | (110 | )
Sold or closed with no surviving location | (33 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (4 | ) |  | (37 | )
Locations at end of period | 2,287 |  |  | 1,114 |  |  | 129 |  |  | 123 |  |  | 252 |  |  | 3,905 |
Acquired locations closed and accounts merged with existing locations | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Total approximate purchase price of acquired stores (in millions) | $ | 0.4 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 0.4 |

Senior Debt. As discussed in Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Credit Agreement consists of $225.0 million, seven-year Term Loans, and a $350.0 million, five-year Revolving Facility.
We may use $150 million of the Revolving Facility for the issuance of letters of credit, of which $94 million had been so utilized as of April 30, 2018. The Term Loans are scheduled to mature on March 19, 2021, and the Revolving Facility has a scheduled maturity of March 19, 2019. The weighted average Eurodollar rate on our outstanding debt was 4.91% at April 30, 2018.
Senior Notes. See descriptions of the senior notes in Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Store Leases. We lease space for substantially all of our Core U.S. and Mexico stores and certain support facilities under operating leases expiring at various times through 2023. Most of our store leases are five year leases and contain renewal options for additional periods ranging from three to five years at rental rates adjusted according to agreed-upon formulas.
Contractual Cash Commitments. The table below summarizes debt, lease and other minimum cash obligations outstanding as of March 31, 2018:

| Payments Due by Period
(in thousands) | Total |  | 2018 |  | 2019-2020 |  | 2021-2022 |  | Thereafter
Senior Term Debt(1) | $ | 41,700 |  |  | $ | 1,687 |  |  | $ | 4,500 |  |  | $ | 35,513 |  |  | $ | — |
Revolving Facility(2) | 20,000 |  |  | — |  |  | 20,000 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
6.625% Senior Notes(3) | 350,922 |  |  | 19,394 |  |  | 331,528 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
4.75% Senior Notes(4) | 291,563 |  |  | 11,875 |  |  | 23,750 |  |  | 255,938 |  |  | — |
Operating Leases | 459,751 |  |  | 119,146 |  |  | 234,105 |  |  | 99,184 |  |  | 7,316 |
Total(5) | $ | 1,163,936 |  |  | $ | 152,102 |  |  | $ | 613,883 |  |  | $ | 390,635 |  |  | $ | 7,316 |

(1) | Does not include interest payments. Our senior term debt bears interest at varying rates equal to the Eurodollar rate (not less than 0.75%) plus 3.00% or the prime rate plus 2.00% at our election. The Eurodollar rate on our senior term debt at March 31, 2018, was 1.88%.

(2) | Does not include interest payments. Our Revolving Facility bears interest at varying rates equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 1.50% to 3.00% or the prime rate plus 0.50% to 2.00% at our election. The weighted average Eurodollar rate on our Revolving Facility at March 31, 2018 was 1.74%.

(3) | Includes interest payments of $9.7 million on each May 15 and November 15 of each year.

(4) | Includes interest payments of $5.9 million on each May 1 and November 1 of each year.

(5) | As of March 31, 2018, we have recorded $37.0 million in uncertain tax positions. Because of the uncertainty of the amounts to be ultimately paid as well as the timing of such payments, uncertain tax positions are not reflected in the contractual obligations table.

Seasonality. Our revenue mix is moderately seasonal, with the first quarter of each fiscal year generally providing higher merchandise sales than any other quarter during a fiscal year, primarily related to the receipt of federal income tax refunds by our customers. Generally, our customers will more frequently exercise the early purchase option on their existing rental purchase agreements or purchase pre-leased merchandise off the showroom floor during the first quarter of each fiscal year. Furthermore,
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
we tend to experience slower growth in the number of rental purchase agreements in the third quarter of each fiscal year when compared to other quarters throughout the year. We expect these trends to continue in the future.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which replaces existing accounting literature relating to the classification of, and accounting for, leases. Under ASU 2016-02, a company must recognize for all leases (with the exception of leases with terms less than 12 months) a liability representing a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, and a right-of-use asset representing the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged, with certain improvements to align lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Lease (Topic 841): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, which amends ASU 2016-02 to add two practical expedients. The changes allow companies to elect a simplified transition approach, and provides lessors with an option related to how lease and other related revenues are presented and disclosed. The adoption of these ASU's will be required for us beginning January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-02 must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition, applying the new criteria to all leases existing or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the consolidated financial statements. We do not expect to early adopt these standards and are currently in the process of determining what impact the adoption of these ASU's will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the hypothetical purchase price allocation and instead using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 will be required for us on a prospective basis beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are currently in the process of determining our adoption date and what impact the adoption of this ASU will have on our financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows a company to reclassify to retained earnings the disproportionate income tax effects of the Tax Act on items with accumulated other comprehensive income that the FASB refers to as having been stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The adoption of ASU 2018-02 will be required for us beginning January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We do not intend to exercise the option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (or portion thereof) is recorded.
In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") (SEC Update), which amends paragraphs in ASC 740, Income Taxes, to reflect SAB 118, which provides guidance for companies that are not able to complete their accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in the period of enactment. The Tax Act, enacted on December 22, 2017 significantly changes existing U.S. tax law and includes numerous provisions that affect our business, such as reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018 and bonus depreciation that allows for full expensing of qualified property. The adoption of ASU 2018-05 will be required for us beginning January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. At December 31, 2017, we had not completed our accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Act; however, in certain cases, as described below, we made reasonable estimates of the effects and recorded provisional amounts. We recognized an income tax benefit of $76.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 associated with the revaluation of our net deferred tax liability. Our provisional estimate of the one-time transition tax resulted in $0.7 million additional tax expense. We also recorded a federal provisional benefit of $9.7 million based on our intent to fully expense all qualifying expenditures. As of March 31, 2018, we have not completed the analysis for all of the tax effects of the Tax Act and have not recorded any additional adjustments to the amounts recorded at year end of 2017. Our provisional estimates on Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”), Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”), Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (“BEAT”), and IRC Section 163(j) interest limitation do not impact our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018. We will continue to make and refine our calculations as additional analysis is completed.
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standards setting bodies that we adopt as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, we believe the impact of any other recently issued standards that are not yet effective are either not applicable to us at this time or will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
As of March 31, 2018, we had $292.7 million in senior notes outstanding at a fixed interest rate of 6.625%, and $250.0 million in senior notes outstanding at a fixed interest rate of 4.75%. We also had $41.7 million outstanding in Term Loans, $20.0 million outstanding under our Revolving Facility and $0.0 million outstanding on our INTRUST line of credit, each at interest rates indexed to the Eurodollar rate or the prime rate. The fair value of the 6.625% senior notes, based on the closing price at March 31, 2018, was $266.8 million. The fair value of the 4.75% senior notes, based on the closing price at March 31, 2018, was $221.6 million. Carrying value approximates fair value for all other indebtedness.
Market Risk
Market risk is the potential change in an instrument’s value caused by fluctuations in interest rates. Our primary market risk exposure is fluctuations in interest rates. Monitoring and managing this risk is a continual process carried out by our senior management. We manage our market risk based on an ongoing assessment of trends in interest rates and economic developments, giving consideration to possible effects on both total return and reported earnings. As a result of such assessment, we may enter into swap contracts or other interest rate protection agreements from time to time to mitigate this risk.
Interest Rate Risk
We have outstanding debt with variable interest rates indexed to prime or Eurodollar rates that exposes us to the risk of increased interest costs if interest rates rise. As of March 31, 2018, we have not entered into any interest rate swap agreements. Based on our overall interest rate exposure at March 31, 2018, a hypothetical 1.0% increase or decrease in market interest rates would have the effect of causing a $0.6 million additional annualized pre-tax charge or credit to our consolidated statement of operations.
Foreign Currency Translation
We are exposed to market risk from foreign exchange rate fluctuations of the Mexican peso to the U.S. dollar as the financial position and operating results of our stores in Mexico are translated into U.S. dollars for consolidation. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure controls and procedures. In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and interim Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a–15(e) and 15d–15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our interim Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of March 31, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a–15(e) and 15d–15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) were effective.
Changes in internal controls over financial reporting. For the quarter ended March 31, 2018, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that, in the aggregate, have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART II – Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Alan Hall, et. al. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc., et. al.; James DePalma, et. al. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc., et. al. On December 23, 2016, a putative class action was filed against us and certain of our former officers by Alan Hall in federal court in Sherman, Texas. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated Section 10(b) and/or Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by issuing false and misleading statements and omitting material facts regarding our business, including implementation of our point-of-sale system, operations and prospects during the period covered by the complaint. The complaint purports to be brought on behalf of all purchasers of our common stock from July 27, 2015 through October 10, 2016, and seeks damages in unspecified amounts and costs, fees, and expenses. A complaint filed by James DePalma also in Sherman, Texas alleging similar claims was consolidated by the court into the Hall matter. On October 19, 2017, the magistrate judge entered a recommendation to deny our motion to dismiss the complaint to the district judge who will decide the issue. We filed our objections to the magistrate's recommendation on November 2, 2017. On December 14, 2017, the district judge issued an order adopting the magistrate's report and denying our motion to dismiss the complaint. Discovery in this matter has now commenced. A hearing on class certification is scheduled for September 19, 2018. We continue to believe that these claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves. However, we cannot assure you that we will be found to have no liability in this matter.
Kevin Paul, derivatively and on behalf of Rent-A-Center, Inc. v. Robert D. Davis et. al.; Sheila Coleman, derivatively and on behalf of Rent-A-Center, Inc. v. Robert D. Davis et. al.; Michael Downing, derivatively and on behalf of Rent-A-Center, Inc. v. Mark E. Speese et. al. On March 15 and 16, 2017, substantially similar shareholder derivative suits were filed against certain current and former officers and directors and, nominally, against us, in state court in Dallas County, Texas. Another substantially similar shareholder derivative suit was filed against certain current and former officers and directors and, nominally, against us, in state court in Collin County, Texas on May 8, 2017. All three of the cases have been consolidated in state court in Dallas County, Texas. The lawsuits allege that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties owed to Rent-A-Center and otherwise mismanaged the affairs of the company as it concerns public statements made related to our point-of-sale system, operational results of our Acceptance Now segment, and our revenues and profitability. The petitions in these suits claim damages in unspecified amounts; seek an order directing the Company to make various changes to corporate governance and internal procedures, including putting forth a shareholder vote on various governance matters; restitution from the individual defendants; and cost, fees and expenses. We believe that these claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves. However, we cannot assure you that the individual defendants will be found to have no liability in this matter.
Arnaud van der Gracht de Rommerswael, derivatively and on behalf of Rent-A-Center, Inc. v. Mark Speese et. al. On April 3, 2017, another shareholder derivative suit was filed against certain current and former officers and directors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., and, nominally, against us, in federal court in Sherman, Texas. The complaint alleges that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties owed to Rent-A-Center and otherwise mismanaged the affairs of the company as it concerns (i) public statements made related to the rollout of our point-of-sale system; (ii) compensation paid to Guy Constant and Robert Davis surrounding their resignations; and (iii) change-of-control language in certain debt agreements, which the suit alleges impacts shareholders’ willingness to vote for a slate of directors nominated by Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP. (“Engaged Capital”). The complaint claims damages in unspecified amounts, disgorgement of benefits from alleged breaches of duty by the individual defendants; an order declaring that certain language in the debt agreements is unenforceable; an order enjoining the lender defendants from enforcing certain provisions in the debt agreements; an order directing the Company’s board to approve Engaged Capital’s slate of directors; an order directing the Company to make unspecified changes to corporate governance and internal procedures; and costs, fees, and expenses.
In response to the motion to dismiss filed by the defendants on April 25, 2017, the plaintiff amended his complaint on May 9, 2017 and on May 19, 2017. The amended complaint alleges breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment and waste of corporate assets related to alleged acts for the purposes of entrenching board members, including the approval of change-of-control language in certain debt agreements, the implementation of the point-of-sale system, and the severance compensation paid to Guy Constant and Robert Davis.
On July 10, 2017, the plaintiff’s claims against JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. were dismissed.
On October 12, 2017, the court issued an order requiring plaintiffs to re-plead the claims related to our point-of-sale system, and denying the motion to dismiss with respect to the waste and entrenchment claims. The plaintiffs failed to re-plead the claims related to our point-of-sale system. Discovery with respect to the remaining waste and entrenchment clams has now commenced.
We continue to believe that these claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves. However, we cannot assure you that the defendants will be found to have no liability in this matter.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Blair v. Rent-A-Center, Inc. This matter is a state-wide class action complaint originally filed on March 13, 2017 in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint alleges various claims, including that our cash sales and total rent to own prices exceed the pricing permitted under the Karnette Rental-Purchase Act. In addition, the plaintiffs allege that we fail to give customers a fully executed rental agreement and that all such rental agreements that were issued to customers unsigned are void under the law. The plaintiffs are seeking statutory damages under the Karnette Rental-Purchase Act which range from $100 - $1,000 per violation, injunctive relief, and attorney’s fees. We believe that these claims are without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves. However, we cannot assure you that we will be found to have no liability in this matter.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of Part 1, "Risk Factors," in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit No. | Description
3.1 | Certificate of Incorporation of Rent-A-Center, Inc., as amended (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of December 31, 2002.)
3.2 | Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Rent-A-Center, Inc., dated May 19, 2004 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.)
3.3 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Rent-A-Center, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of September 28, 2011.)
3.4 | Certificate of Designations of Series D Preferred Stock of Rent-A-Center, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of March 29, 2017.)
4.1 | Form of Certificate evidencing Common Stock (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 10-Q dated as of March 31, 2017.)
4.2 | Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2010, by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc., as Issuer, the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of November 2, 2010.)
4.3 | Indenture, dated as of May 2, 2013, by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc., as Issuer, the Guarantors named therein, as Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of May 2, 2013.)
4.4 | Rights Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2017, between Rent-A-Center, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of March 25, 2017.)
10.1† | Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.)
10.2 | Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated March 19, 2014, by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc., its subsidiaries named as guarantors therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2014.)
10.3† | Form of Stock Option Agreement issuable to Directors pursuant to the Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.)
10.4† | Form of Stock Option Agreement issuable to management pursuant to the Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.)
10.5† | Summary of Director Compensation (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.)
10.6† | Form of Stock Compensation Agreement issuable to management pursuant to the Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.)
10.7† | Form of Long-Term Incentive Cash Award issuable to management pursuant to the Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.)
10.8† | Form of Loyalty and Confidentiality Agreement entered into with management (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.)
10.9† | Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.)
10.10† | Form of Stock Option Agreement issuable to management pursuant to the Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.)

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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

10.11† | Form of Stock Compensation Agreement issuable to management pursuant to the Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.)
10.12† | Form of Long-Term Incentive Cash Award issuable to management pursuant to the Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.)
10.13† | Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and Amendment (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on January 4, 2007.)
10.14† | Form of Stock Option Agreement issuable to management pursuant to the Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.)
10.15† | Form of Stock Compensation Agreement issuable to management pursuant to the Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.)
10.16† | Form of Stock Option Agreement issuable to Directors pursuant to the Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.)
10.17† | Form of Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement issuable to Directors pursuant to the Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.)
10.18† | Form of Executive Transition Agreement entered into with management (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2016.)
10.19† | Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.)
10.20† | Rent-A-Center, Inc. Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.)
10.21† | Rent-A-Center, Inc. 401-K Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.)
10.22 | Credit Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2014, among Rent-A-Center, Inc., the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, Bank of America, N.A., BBVA Compass Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Suntrust Bank, as syndication agents, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of March 19, 2014.)
10.23† | Rent-A-Center East, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan for Puerto Rico Employees (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed January 28, 2011.)
10.24 | First Amendment to Franchisee Financing Agreement between ColorTyme Finance, Inc. and Citibank, N.A., dated as of July 25, 2012 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.)
10.25 | Master Confirmation Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2013, between Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Goldman Sachs & Co. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of May 2, 2013.)
10.26 | Second Amendment to Franchisee Financing Agreement between ColorTyme Finance, Inc. and Citibank, N.A., dated as of August 30, 2013 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.)
10.27 | Third Amendment to Franchisee Financing Agreement between ColorTyme Finance, Inc. and Citibank, N.A., dated as of May 1, 2014 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.)
10.28 | Waiver and Fourth Amendment to Franchisee Financing Agreement between ColorTyme Finance, Inc. and Citibank, N.A., dated as of September 1, 2014 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.)

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10.29 | First Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated February 1, 2016, between the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the other agents party thereto and the lenders party thereto (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of February 1, 2016.)
10.30† | Form of Stock Option Agreement issuable to management pursuant to the Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.)
10.31† | Form of Stock Compensation Agreement (RSU) issuable to management pursuant to the Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.)
10.32† | Form of Stock Compensation Agreement (PSU) issuable to management pursuant to the Rent-A-Center, Inc. 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.)
10.33 | Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated effective as of September 30, 2016, between the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the other agents party thereto and the lenders party thereto (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of October 4, 2016.)
10.34† | Separation Agreement and Release of Claims, dated as of January 9, 2017, between Robert D. Davis and Rent-A-Center, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of January 9, 2017.)
10.35 | Third Amendment and Waiver to the Credit Agreement, dated effective as of May 1, 2017, between the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the other agents party thereto and the lenders party thereto (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of May 1, 2017.)
10.36 | Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement (including Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), dated as of June 6, 2017, between the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the other agents party thereto and the lenders party thereto (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of June 6, 2017.)
10.37 | Cooperation Agreement, dated February 5, 2018, by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc., Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP, Engaged Capital Co-Invest V, LP, Engaged Capital Co-Invest V-A, LP, Engaged Capital Holdings, LLC and Glenn W. Welling (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of February 5, 2018.)
10.38† | CEO Employment Agreement, dated December 30, 2017, between Mitchell E. Fadel and Rent-A-Center, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of April 3, 2018.)
18.1 | Preferability letter regarding change in accounting principle (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 18.1 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014).
21.1 | Subsidiaries of Rent-A-Center, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.)
31.1* | Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 implementing Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Mitchell E. Fadel
31.2* | Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 implementing Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Maureen B. Short
32.1* | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Mitchell E. Fadel
32.2* | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Maureen B. Short
101.INS* | XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

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101.DEF* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE* | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

† | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
* | Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

| RENT-A-CENTER, INC.
| By: | /S/ MAUREEN B. SHORT
|  | Maureen B. Short
|  | Interim Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 3, 2018
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