10-Q 1 rac10-q_q12019.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, 2019
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, 2019:

Class |  | Outstanding
Common stock, $.01 par value per share |  | 54,061,547

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, 2019 and 2018 | 1
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 | 2
| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 | 3
| Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholder's Equity for the three-month period ending March 31, 2019 | 4
| Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 | 5
| Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | 6
Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 19
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 27
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 28
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION |
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 29
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 30
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 30
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 30
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 30
Item 5. | Other Information | 30
Item 6. | Exhibits | 31
SIGNATURES |

i

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

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
(In thousands, except per share data) |
Revenues |  |  |
Store |  |  |
Rentals and fees | $ | 563,354 |  |  | $ | 564,714 |
Merchandise sales | 104,470 |  |  | 107,356 |
Installment sales | 15,436 |  |  | 16,404 |
Other | 664 |  |  | 2,584 |
Total store revenues | 683,924 |  |  | 691,058 |
Franchise |  |  |
Merchandise sales | 8,456 |  |  | 3,634 |
Royalty income and fees | 4,314 |  |  | 3,351 |
Total revenues | 696,694 |  |  | 698,043 |
Cost of revenues |  |  |
Store |  |  |
Cost of rentals and fees | 155,372 |  |  | 156,095 |
Cost of merchandise sold | 103,391 |  |  | 96,353 |
Cost of installment sales | 4,924 |  |  | 5,242 |
Total cost of store revenues | 263,687 |  |  | 257,690 |
Franchise cost of merchandise sold | 8,141 |  |  | 3,375 |
Total cost of revenues | 271,828 |  |  | 261,065 |
Gross profit | 424,866 |  |  | 436,978 |
Operating expenses |  |  |
Store expenses |  |  |
Labor | 161,656 |  |  | 181,074 |
Other store expenses | 163,794 |  |  | 185,949 |
General and administrative expenses | 32,924 |  |  | 44,870 |
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles | 15,773 |  |  | 17,900 |
Other charges | 33,370 |  |  | 17,455 |
Total operating expenses | 407,517 |  |  | 447,248 |
Operating profit (loss) | 17,349 |  |  | (10,270 | )
Interest expense | 9,389 |  |  | 11,360 |
Interest income | (874 | ) |  | (209 | )
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | 8,834 |  |  | (21,421 | )
Income tax expense (benefit) | 1,511 |  |  | (1,578 | )
Net earnings (loss) | $ | 7,323 |  |  | $ | (19,843 | )
Basic earnings (loss) per common share | $ | 0.14 |  |  | $ | (0.37 | )
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share | $ | 0.13 |  |  | $ | (0.37 | )

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
1

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

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
(In thousands) |
Net earnings (loss) | $ | 7,323 |  |  | $ | (19,843 | )
Other comprehensive income: |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $138 and $438 for the three months ended 2019 and 2018, respectively | 521 |  |  | 1,648 |
Total other comprehensive income | 521 |  |  | 1,648 |
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 7,844 |  |  | $ | (18,195 | )

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2

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

| March 31, 2019 |  | December 31, 2018
(In thousands, except share and par value data) | Unaudited |  |
ASSETS |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 237,744 |  |  | $ | 155,391 |
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,468 and $4,883 in 2019 and 2018, respectively | 63,761 |  |  | 69,645 |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 39,885 |  |  | 51,352 |
Rental merchandise, net |  |  |
On rent | 647,536 |  |  | 683,808 |
Held for rent | 120,385 |  |  | 123,662 |
Merchandise held for installment sale | 3,662 |  |  | 3,834 |
Property assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $548,549 and $551,750 in 2019 and 2018, respectively | 211,898 |  |  | 226,323 |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 273,833 |  |  | — |
Deferred tax asset | 25,568 |  |  | 25,558 |
Goodwill | 56,815 |  |  | 56,845 |
Other intangible assets, net | 329 |  |  | 499 |
Total assets | $ | 1,681,416 |  |  | $ | 1,396,917 |
LIABILITIES |  |  |
Accounts payable – trade | $ | 118,904 |  |  | $ | 113,838 |
Accrued liabilities | 326,660 |  |  | 337,459 |
Operating lease liabilities | 284,488 |  |  | — |
Deferred tax liability | 116,755 |  |  | 119,061 |
Senior notes, net | 540,357 |  |  | 540,042 |
Total liabilities | 1,387,164 |  |  | 1,110,400 |
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |  |  |
Common stock, $.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 110,412,469 and 109,909,504 shares issued in 2019 and 2018, respectively | 1,104 |  |  | 1,099 |
Additional paid-in capital | 840,298 |  |  | 838,436 |
Retained earnings | 811,271 |  |  | 805,924 |
Treasury stock at cost, 56,369,752 shares in 2019 and 2018 | (1,347,677 | ) |  | (1,347,677 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (10,744 | ) |  | (11,265 | )
Total stockholders' equity | 294,252 |  |  | 286,517 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 1,681,416 |  |  | $ | 1,396,917 |

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)

| Common Stock |  | Additional Paid-In Capital |  | Retained Earnings |  | Treasury Stock |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |  | Total
| Shares |  | Amount |
(In thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Balance at December 31, 2018 | 109,910 |  |  | $ | 1,099 |  |  | $ | 838,436 |  |  | $ | 805,924 |  |  | $ | (1,347,677 | ) |  | $ | (11,265 | ) |  | $ | 286,517 |
Net earnings | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 7,323 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 7,323 |
Other comprehensive income | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 521 |  |  | 521 |
Exercise of stock options | 284 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 2,889 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,892 |
Vesting of restricted share units | 218 |  |  | 2 |  |  | (2 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Shares withheld for employee taxes on awards vested & exercised | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,734 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,734 | )
Stock-based compensation | — |  |  | — |  |  | 709 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 709 |
ASC 842 adoption | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,976 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,976 | )
Balance at March 31, 2019 | 110,412 |  |  | $ | 1,104 |  |  | $ | 840,298 |  |  | $ | 811,271 |  |  | $ | (1,347,677 | ) |  | $ | (10,744 | ) |  | $ | 294,252 |

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4

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

| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2019 |  | 2018
(In thousands) |
Cash flows from operating activities |  |  |
Net earnings (loss) | $ | 7,323 |  |  | $ | (19,843 | )
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities |  |  |
Depreciation of rental merchandise | 155,111 |  |  | 154,131 |
Bad debt expense | 2,942 |  |  | 3,437 |
Stock-based compensation expense | 709 |  |  | 1,862 |
Depreciation of property assets | 15,693 |  |  | 17,742 |
Loss on sale or disposal of property assets | 1,341 |  |  | 1,913 |
Amortization and impairment of intangibles | 79 |  |  | 157 |
Amortization of financing fees | 973 |  |  | 1,343 |
Amortization of right-of-use operating lease assets | 26,824 |  |  | — |
Deferred income taxes | (1,913 | ) |  | (1,267 | )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions |  |  |
Rental merchandise | (123,966 | ) |  | (103,439 | )
Receivables | 2,942 |  |  | 1,563 |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 11,588 |  |  | (2,941 | )
Operating lease liabilities | (25,316 | ) |  | — |
Accounts payable – trade | 5,066 |  |  | 498 |
Accrued liabilities | (3,621 | ) |  | 29,321 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 75,775 |  |  | 84,477 |
Cash flows from investing activities |  |  |
Purchase of property assets | (2,508 | ) |  | (8,649 | )
Proceeds from sale of property assets | 8,475 |  |  | 9,463 |
Acquisitions of businesses | — |  |  | (440 | )
Net cash provided by investing activities | 5,967 |  |  | 374 |
Cash flows from financing activities |  |  |
Exercise of stock options | 2,892 |  |  | 375 |
Shares withheld for payment of employee tax withholdings | (2,330 | ) |  | (205 | )
Debt issuance costs | (157 | ) |  | — |
Proceeds from debt | 5,400 |  |  | 26,850 |
Repayments of debt | (5,400 | ) |  | (104,448 | )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 405 |  |  | (77,428 | )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 206 |  |  | 1,002 |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 82,353 |  |  | 8,425 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 155,391 |  |  | 72,968 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 237,744 |  |  | $ | 81,393 |

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5

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, 2018. 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 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 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 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 of 12 months or less) 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. Adoption under ASU 2016-02 requires the use of a modified retrospective transition method to measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the consolidated financial statements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, allowing companies to apply a transition method for adoption of the new standard as of the adoption date, with recognition of any cumulative-effects as adjustments to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. We adopted these ASU's beginning January 1, 2019 and elected the transition method under ASU 2018-11.
The company's rent-to-own agreements which comprise the majority of our annual revenue fall within the scope of ASU 2016-02 under lessor accounting, however, the new standard does not significantly affect the timing of recognition or presentation of revenue for our rental contracts.
As a lessee, the new standard affected a substantial portion of our lease contracts. As of March 31, 2019, we have $273.8 million operating lease right-of-use assets and $284.5 million operating lease liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Upon adoption we identified impairment losses related to closure of our product service centers and Core U.S. stores resulting in a cumulative-effect decrease of $2.0 million, net of tax, to our January 1, 2019 retained earnings balance. There were no significant affects to our condensed consolidated statements of operations or condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
We elected a package of optional practical expedients in our adoption of the new standard, including the option to retain the current classification for leases entered into prior to the date of adoption; the option not to reassess initial direct costs for capitalization
6

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
for leases entered into prior to the date of adoption; and the option not to separate lease and non-lease components for our rent-to-own agreements as a lessor, and our real estate, and certain equipment leases as a lessee.
In conjunction with the adoption of the new lease accounting standard, we implemented a new back-office lease administration and accounting system to support the new accounting and disclosure requirements as a lessee. In addition, we implemented changes to our previous accounting policies, processes, and internal controls to ensure compliance with the new standard.
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 was required for us beginning January 1, 2019. We do not 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 Act (or portion thereof) is recorded.
Note 2 - Revenues
The following table disaggregates our revenue for the periods ended March 31, 2019:

| Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
| Core U.S. |  | Acceptance Now |  | Mexico |  | Franchising |  | Consolidated
(In thousands) |
Store |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Rentals and fees | $ | 407,580 |  |  | $ | 143,193 |  |  | $ | 12,581 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 563,354 |
Merchandise sales | 50,558 |  |  | 53,156 |  |  | 756 |  |  | — |  |  | 104,470 |
Installment sales | 15,436 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 15,436 |
Other | 483 |  |  | 173 |  |  | 8 |  |  | — |  |  | 664 |
Total store revenues | 474,057 |  |  | 196,522 |  |  | 13,345 |  |  | — |  |  | 683,924 |
Franchise |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Merchandise sales | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 8,456 |  |  | 8,456 |
Royalty income and fees | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 4,314 |  |  | 4,314 |
Total revenues | $ | 474,057 |  |  | $ | 196,522 |  |  | $ | 13,345 |  |  | $ | 12,770 |  |  | $ | 696,694 |

| Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
| Core U.S. |  | Acceptance Now |  | Mexico |  | Franchising |  | Consolidated
(In thousands) |
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
7

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
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, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had $44.7 million and $42.1 million, respectively, in deferred revenue included in accrued liabilities 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 sold through point of sale transactions. Revenue for merchandise sales is recognized when payment is received and ownership of the merchandise passes to the customer. The remaining net value of merchandise sold is recorded to cost of sales at the time of the transaction.
Installment Sales. Revenue from the sale of merchandise in our retail installment stores is recognized when the installment note is signed and control of the merchandise has passed to the customer. The cost of merchandise sold through installment agreements is recognized in cost of sales at the time of the transaction. We offer extended service plans with our installment agreements which are administered by third parties and provide customers with product service maintenance beyond the term of the installment agreement. Payments received for extended service plans are deferred and recognized, net of related costs, when the installment payment plan is complete and the service plan goes into effect. Customers can cancel extended service plans at any time during the installment agreement and receive a refund for payments previously made towards the plan. At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had $2.8 million and $3.0 million, respectively, in deferred revenue included in accrued liabilities related to extended service 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. We completed the shut down of our service department operations early in the first quarter of 2019. Revenue for other product plans is recognized in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan 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, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had $4.3 million and $4.1 million, respectively, in deferred revenue included in accrued liabilities related to franchise fees.
8

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 3 - Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Receivables consist of the following:

(In thousands) | March 31, 2019 |  | December 31, 2018
Installment sales receivable | $ | 51,534 |  |  | $ | 54,746 |
Trade and notes receivables | 16,695 |  |  | 19,782 |
Total receivables | 68,229 |  |  | 74,528 |
Less allowance for doubtful accounts | (4,468 | ) |  | (4,883 | )
Total receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 63,761 |  |  | $ | 69,645 |

The allowance for doubtful accounts related to installment sales receivable was $3.1 million and $3.6 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts related to trade and notes receivable was $1.4 million and $1.3 million at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
Changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:

(In thousands) | March 31, 2019
Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 4,883 |
Bad debt expense | 2,942 |
Accounts written off | (3,544 | )
Recoveries | 187 |
Ending allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 4,468 |

Note 4 - Leases
We lease space for all of our Core U.S. and Mexico stores under operating leases expiring at various times through 2024. 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. We evaluate all leases to determine if it is likely that we will exercise future renewal options and in most cases we are not reasonably certain of exercise due to competing market rental rates and lack of significant penalty or business disruption incurred by not exercising the renewal options. We have elected not to use the short-term lease exemption for our real estate leases. Therefore, we include month-to-month leases in operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. In certain store sales, we enter into lease assignment agreements with the buyer, but remain as the primary obligor under the original lease for the remaining active term. These leases are therefore classified as subleases and included in our operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
We lease vehicles for all of our Core U.S. stores under operating leases with lease terms expiring twelve months after the start date of the lease. We classify these leases as short-term and have elected the short-term lease exemption for our vehicle leases, and have therefore excluded from our operating lease right-of-use assets within our condensed consolidated balance sheet. We also lease vehicles for all of our Mexico stores which have terms expiring at various times through 2022 with rental rates adjusted periodically for inflation. Finally, we have a minimal number of equipment leases, primarily related to temporary storage and certain back office technology hardware assets.
For all of the leases described above, we have elected to use the practical expedient not to separate the lease and non-lease components and account for these as a single component. We have also elected the practical expedients that remove the requirement to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases and the requirement to reassess the lease classification for any existing leases prior to the adoption date.
Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are discounted using our incremental borrowing rate, since the implicit rate is not readily determinable. We do not currently have any financing leases.
Operating lease costs are recorded on a straight-line basis within other store expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
9

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Total operating lease costs by expense type:

| Three Months Ended
(in thousands) | March 31, 2019
Operating lease cost included in other store expenses(1) | $ | 36,553 |
Operating lease cost included in other charges | 2,141 |
Sublease receipts | (1,676 | )
Total operating lease charges | $ | 37,018 |

(1) Includes short-term and variable lease costs, which are not significant.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases:

| Three Months Ended
(in thousands) | March 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of operating lease liabilities | $ | 30,077 |
Cash paid for short-term operating leases not included in operating lease liabilities | 6,941 |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | 3,927 |

Weighted-average discount rate and weighted-average remaining lease term:

(in thousands) | March 31, 2019
Weighted-average discount rate(1) | 7.9 | %
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) | 3 |

(1) January 1, 2019 borrowing rate was used for leases in existence at the time of adoption of ASU 2016-02.
Reconciliation of undiscounted operating lease liabilities to the present value operating lease liabilities at March 31, 2019:

(In thousands) | Operating Leases
2019 | $ | 91,427 |
2020 | 100,444 |
2021 | 68,804 |
2022 | 40,369 |
2023 | 16,712 |
Thereafter | 3,194 |
Total undiscounted operating lease liabilities | 320,950 |
Less: Interest | (36,462 | )
Total present value of operating lease liabilities | $ | 284,488 |

In accordance with ASC 840, future minimum rental payments for operating leases with remaining lease terms in excess of one year, at December 31, 2018:

(In thousands) | Operating Leases
2019 | $ | 145,345 |
2020 | 116,785 |
2021 | 80,362 |
2022 | 47,417 |
2023 | 16,460 |
Thereafter | 2,280 |
Total future minimum rental payments | 408,649 |

Note 5 - Senior Debt
We are party to a Credit Agreement with BBVA Compass Bank, HSBC, 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
10

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
19, 2014, as amended on February 1, 2016, September 30, 2016, March 31, 2017, June 6, 2017, and December 12, 2018 (the “Fifth Amendment”) and as so amended, (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement currently provides a senior credit facility consisting of a $200 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Facility").
There were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Facility at March 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018. Total unamortized debt issuance costs reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were $2.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively. The Revolving Facility has a scheduled maturity of December 31, 2019. We also utilize the Revolving Facility for the issuance of letters of credit. As of March 31, 2019, we have issued letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $92 million.
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 2.00% and 1.00%, respectively, at March 31, 2019, 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. A commitment fee equal to 0.30% to 0.50% of the unused portion of the Revolving Facility is payable quarterly. The commitment fee fluctuates dependent upon increases or decreases in our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio as of the end of the previous quarter. The commitment fee for the first quarter of 2019 was $0.7 million, equal to 0.40% of the unused portion of the Revolving Facility based on our Total Leverage Ratio as of December 31, 2018.
The aggregate outstanding amounts (including after any draw request) under the Revolving Facility may not exceed the Borrowing Base. The Borrowing Base is tied to the Eligible Installment Sales Accounts, Inventory and Eligible Rental Contracts, reduced by Reserves, as defined in the Credit Agreement. We provide to the Agent information necessary to calculate the Borrowing Base within 30 days of the end of each calendar month, unless liquidity is less than 20% of the maximum borrowing capacity of the Revolving Facility or $40 million, in which case we must provide weekly information.
Our borrowings under the Credit Agreement are, subject to certain exceptions, secured by a security interest in substantially all of our tangible and intangible assets, including intellectual property, and are also secured by a pledge of the capital stock of our U.S. subsidiaries.
Subject to a number of exceptions, the Credit Agreement contains, without limitation, covenants that generally limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to:

• | incur additional debt;

• | pay cash dividends in excess of $15 million annually when the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio is greater than 3:75:1;

• | incur liens or other encumbrances;

• | merge, consolidate or sell substantially all property or business;

• | sell, lease or otherwise transfer assets (if not in the ordinary course of business, limited in any fiscal year to an amount equal to 5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year);

• | make investments or acquisitions (unless they meet financial tests and other requirements); or

• | enter into an unrelated line of business;

• | guarantee obligations of Foreign Subsidiaries in excess of $10 million at any time; and

• | exceed an aggregate outstanding amount of $10 million in indebtedness, including Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings and purchase money obligations that are secured by Liens permitted under the Credit Agreement.

In addition, we are prohibited from repurchasing our common stock or 6.625% and 4.75% Senior Notes for the remaining term of the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement permits us to increase the amount of the 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, 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.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
In connection with entering into the Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, we recorded a write-down of previously unamortized debt issuance costs of approximately $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. In addition, we paid arrangement and amendment fees to the Agent and the lenders that provided their consent to the Amendment of approximately $2.1 million, which were capitalized in the fourth quarter of 2018 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, 2019:

| Required Ratio |  | Actual Ratio
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio | No less than |  | 1.10:1 |  | 5.13:1

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, 2019 ($204.0 million), by consolidated fixed charges for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2019 ($39.7 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 5.13:1 as of March 31, 2019 was above the minimum requirement of 1.10:1 under the Credit Agreement. Availability under our Revolving Facility was $95.1 million at March 31, 2019.
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 terms of 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, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had no outstanding borrowings against this line of credit.
Liquidity
As described above, our Revolving Facility is scheduled to mature in December 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 believe 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 6 - Senior Notes
On November 2, 2010, we issued $300 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, 2019 and December 31, 2018, was $292.7 million, reduced by $1.0 million and $1.2 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, 2019 and December 31, 2018, was $250.0 million, reduced by $1.3 million and $1.5 million of unamortized issuance costs, respectively.
12

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
The indentures governing the 6.625% notes and the 4.75% notes are substantially similar. Each indenture contains covenants that limit our ability to:

• | incur additional debt;

• | sell assets or our subsidiaries;

• | grant liens to third parties;

• | pay cash dividends or repurchase stock when total leverage is greater than 2.50:1 (subject to an exception for cash dividends in an amount not to exceed $20 million annually); and

• | engage in a merger or sell substantially all of our assets.

Events of default under each indenture include customary events, such as a cross-acceleration provision in the event that we default in the payment of other debt due at maturity or upon acceleration for default in an amount exceeding $50.0 million, as well as in the event a judgment is entered against us in excess of $50.0 million that is not discharged, bonded or insured.
The 6.625% notes may be redeemed on or after November 15, 2015, at our option, in whole or in part, at a premium declining from 103.313% (the current premium is 100.000%). 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 current premium is 100.000%). 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 7 - 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, 2019, our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and senior notes. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximates fair value at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, because of the short maturities of these instruments.
The fair value of our senior notes is based on Level 1 inputs and was as follows at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

| March 31, 2019 |  | December 31, 2018
(in thousands) | Carrying Value |  | Fair Value |  | Difference |  | Carrying Value |  | Fair Value |  | Difference
6.625% senior notes | $ | 292,740 |  |  | $ | 292,740 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 292,740 |  |  | $ | 285,509 |  |  | $ | (7,231 | )
4.75% senior notes | 250,000 |  |  | 244,000 |  |  | (6,000 | ) |  | 250,000 |  |  | 239,050 |  |  | (10,950 | )
Total senior notes | $ | 542,740 |  |  | $ | 536,740 |  |  | $ | (6,000 | ) |  | $ | 542,740 |  |  | $ | 524,559 |  |  | $ | (18,181 | )

13

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 8 - Other Charges
Cost Savings Initiatives. During 2018, we began execution of multiple cost savings initiatives, including reductions in overhead and supply chain, resulting in pre-tax charges during the first quarter of 2019 consisting of $4.4 million in lease impairment charges, $3.0 million in severance and other payroll-related costs, $1.1 million in other miscellaneous shutdown costs, $0.2 million in disposal of fixed assets. Cost savings initiatives pre-tax charges during the first quarter of 2018 were $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 2019, we closed 28 Core U.S. stores, resulting in pre-tax charges of $0.5 million in lease impairment charges, $0.5 million in other miscellaneous shutdown costs, and $0.3 million in disposal of fixed assets. 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.
Activity with respect to other charges for the three months ended March 31, 2019 is summarized in the below table:

(in thousands) | Accrued Charges at December 31, 2018 |  | Charges & Adjustments |  | Payments & Adjustments |  | Accrued Charges at March 31, 2019
Cash charges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Labor reduction costs | $ | 7,623 |  |  | $ | 3,122 |  |  | $ | (6,420 | ) |  | $ | 4,325 |
Lease obligation costs(1) | 4,882 |  |  | — |  |  | (4,882 | ) |  | — |
Other miscellaneous | — |  |  | 1,609 |  |  | (1,609 | ) |  | — |
Total cash charges | $ | 12,505 |  |  | 4,731 |  |  | $ | (12,911 | ) |  | $ | 4,325 |
Non-cash charges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Asset impairments(2) |  |  | 5,309 |  |  |  |  |
Other(3) |  |  | 23,330 |  |  |  |  |
Total other charges |  |  | $ | 33,370 |  |  |  |  |

(1) Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, previously accrued lease obligation costs related to discontinued operations were eliminated and are now reflected as an adjustment to our operating lease right-of-use assets in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(2) Includes impairments of operating lease right-of-use assets and other property assets related to the closure of RTO stores and our product service centers in the first quarter.
(3) Other primarily includes the Blair class action settlement (refer to Note 11 for additional details), and incremental legal and professional fees related to the merger termination.
Note 9 - 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, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

| Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018
Revenues |  |  |
Core U.S. | $ | 474,057 |  |  | $ | 482,041 |
Acceptance Now | 196,522 |  |  | 196,986 |
Mexico | 13,345 |  |  | 12,031 |
Franchising | 12,770 |  |  | 6,985 |
Total revenues | $ | 696,694 |  |  | $ | 698,043 |

14

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

| Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018
Gross profit |  |  |
Core U.S. | $ | 324,640 |  |  | $ | 336,241 |
Acceptance Now | 86,328 |  |  | 88,805 |
Mexico | 9,269 |  |  | 8,322 |
Franchising | 4,629 |  |  | 3,610 |
Total gross profit | $ | 424,866 |  |  | $ | 436,978 |

| Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018
Operating profit (loss) |  |  |
Core U.S. | $ | 53,311 |  |  | $ | 28,387 |
Acceptance Now | 21,513 |  |  | 15,430 |
Mexico | 1,219 |  |  | 497 |
Franchising | 1,778 |  |  | 1,256 |
Total segments | 77,821 |  |  | 45,570 |
Corporate | (60,472 | ) |  | (55,840 | )
Total operating profit (loss) | $ | 17,349 |  |  | $ | (10,270 | )

| Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles |  |  |
Core U.S. | $ | 5,472 |  |  | $ | 6,826 |
Acceptance Now | 348 |  |  | 435 |
Mexico | 140 |  |  | 344 |
Franchising | 30 |  |  | 44 |
Total segments | 5,990 |  |  | 7,649 |
Corporate | 9,783 |  |  | 10,251 |
Total depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles | $ | 15,773 |  |  | $ | 17,900 |

| Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018
Capital expenditures |  |  |
Core U.S. | $ | 558 |  |  | $ | 4,890 |
Acceptance Now | 47 |  |  | 45 |
Mexico | 3 |  |  | 3 |
Total segments | 608 |  |  | 4,938 |
Corporate | 1,900 |  |  | 3,711 |
Total capital expenditures | $ | 2,508 |  |  | $ | 8,649 |

15

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

(in thousands) | March 31, 2019 |  | December 31, 2018
On rent rental merchandise, net |  |  |
Core U.S. | $ | 403,518 |  |  | $ | 424,829 |
Acceptance Now | 228,248 |  |  | 242,978 |
Mexico | 15,770 |  |  | 16,001 |
Total on rent rental merchandise, net | $ | 647,536 |  |  | $ | 683,808 |

(in thousands) | March 31, 2019 |  | December 31, 2018
Held for rent rental merchandise, net |  |  |
Core U.S. | $ | 114,220 |  |  | $ | 117,294 |
Acceptance Now | 1,246 |  |  | 1,207 |
Mexico | 4,919 |  |  | 5,161 |
Total held for rent rental merchandise, net | $ | 120,385 |  |  | $ | 123,662 |

(in thousands) | March 31, 2019 |  | December 31, 2018
Assets by segment |  |  |
Core U.S. | $ | 957,380 |  |  | $ | 714,914 |
Acceptance Now | 292,032 |  |  | 312,151 |
Mexico | 34,940 |  |  | 29,321 |
Franchising | 6,367 |  |  | 4,287 |
Total segments | 1,290,719 |  |  | 1,060,673 |
Corporate | 390,697 |  |  | 336,244 |
Total assets | $ | 1,681,416 |  |  | $ | 1,396,917 |

Note 10 - Stock-Based Compensation
We recognized $0.7 million and $1.9 million in pre-tax compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock units during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Stock compensation expense recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was impacted by the reversal of unvested stock compensation in the first quarter of 2019 for stock awards previously granted to former employees. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we did not grant any stock options, market-based performance restricted stock units or time-vesting restricted stock units.
Note 11 - 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 the audit process include 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.
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 the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Texas 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. A complaint filed by James DePalma also in Sherman, Texas alleging similar claims was consolidated by the court into the Hall matter. On October 8, 2018, the parties agreed to settle this matter for $11 million. The court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on December 13, 2018. Under the terms of the settlement our insurance carrier paid in January 2019 an aggregate of $11 million in cash which will be distributed to an agreed upon class of claimants who purchased our common stock from July 27, 2015 through October 10, 2016, as well as used to pay costs of notice and settlement
16

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
administration, and plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and expenses. The settlement was approved by the court at a hearing held on May 3, 2019.
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. Following a court-ordered mediation on March 28, 2019, we reached an agreement in principle to settle this matter for a total of $13 million, including attorneys’ fees. The settlement is in the documentation process and is subject to approval by the court. We have denied any liability in the settlement and agreed to the settlement in order to avoid additional expensive, time-consuming litigation. We recorded the impact of this settlement in the first quarter of 2019.
Vintage Rodeo Parent, LLC, Vintage Rodeo Acquisition, Inc. and Vintage Capital Management, LLC, and B. Riley Financial, Inc. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc. On December 18, 2018, after the Company did not receive an extension notice from Vintage Rodeo Parent, LLC (“Vintage”) that was required by December 17, 2018 to extend the Merger Agreement’s stated End Date, we terminated the Merger Agreement. Our Board of Directors determined that terminating the Merger Agreement was in the best interests of our stockholders, and instructed Rent-A-Center’s management to exercise the Company’s right to terminate the Merger Agreement and make a demand on Vintage for the $126.5 million reverse breakup fee owed to us following the termination of the Merger Agreement. On December 21, 2018, Vintage and its affiliates filed a lawsuit in Delaware Court of Chancery against Rent-A-Center, asserting that the Merger Agreement remained in effect, and that Vintage did not owe Rent-A-Center the $126.5 million reverse breakup fee associated with our termination of the Merger Agreement. B. Riley, a guarantor of the payment of the reverse breakup fee, later joined the lawsuit brought by Vintage in Delaware Court of Chancery. In addition, we brought a counterclaim against Vintage and B. Riley asserting our right to payment of the reverse breakup fee.
On February 11th and 12th of this year, a trial was held in Delaware Court of Chancery in the lawsuit arising from Rent-A-Center's termination of the Merger Agreement. On March 14, 2019, the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that Rent-A-Center validly terminated the Merger Agreement. As announced on April 22, 2019, we agreed to settle all litigation with Vintage and B. Riley relating to our termination of the Merger Agreement. In the settlement, we will receive a payment of $92.5 million in cash in late May 2019. In connection with the settlement, Rent-A-Center will exchange mutual releases with all other parties with respect to all matters relating to the Merger Agreement, including its termination.
After payment of all remaining costs, fees and expenses relating to the terminated Merger Agreement and arising from the settlement of the litigation, we expect to retain pre-tax proceeds of approximately $80.0 million. We will record the impact of this settlement when payment is received.
Velma Russell v. Acceptance Now. This purported class action arising out of calls made by Acceptance Now to customers’ reference (s) was filed on January 29, 2019 in Massachusetts state court. Specifically, plaintiffs seek to certify a class representing any references of customers (within the state of Massachusetts) during the 4 years prior to the filing date that were contacted by Acceptance Now more frequently during a 12 month period than is permitted by Massachusetts state law. The plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief and statutory damages of $25 per reference which may be tripled to $75 per reference. References are not parties to our consumer arbitration agreement. We operate 12 Acceptance Now locations in Massachusetts. We intend to vigorously defend these claims; however, we cannot assure you that we will be found to have no liability in this matter.
Federal Trade Commission civil investigative demand. In April 2019, along with other rent-to-own companies, we received a civil investigative demand from the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") seeking information regarding certain transactions involving the purchase and sale of customer lease agreements, and whether such transactions violated the FTC Act. Although we believe such transactions were in compliance with the FTC Act, this inquiry could lead to an enforcement action and/or a consent order, and substantial costs. The Company is in the process of responding to this inquiry from the FTC.
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 12 - Earnings (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) | 2019 |  | 2018
Numerator: |  |  |
Net earnings (loss) | $ | 7,323 |  |  | $ | (19,843 | )
Denominator: |  |  |
Weighted-average shares outstanding | 53,930 |  |  | 53,406 |
Effect of dilutive stock awards(1) | 1,566 |  |  | — |
Weighted-average dilutive shares | 55,496 |  |  | 53,406 |
Basic earnings (loss) per common share | $ | 0.14 |  |  | $ | (0.37 | )
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share | $ | 0.13 |  |  | $ | (0.37 | )
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted loss per common share: |  |  |
Anti-dilutive restricted share units | — |  |  | 874 |
Anti-dilutive performance share units | — |  |  | 1,294 |
Anti-dilutive stock options | 1,019 |  |  | 3,033 |

(1) | There was no dilutive effect to the loss per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 due to the net loss incurred for respective period.

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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;

• | capital market conditions, including availability of funding sources for us;

• | changes in our credit ratings;

• | difficulties encountered in improving the financial and operational performance of our business segments, including our ability to execute our franchise strategy;

• | our ability to recapitalize our debt, including our revolving credit facility expiring December 31, 2019, and senior notes maturing in November 2020 and May 2021 on favorable terms, if at all;

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

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

• | our ability to continue to effectively operate and execute our strategic initiatives;

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

• | 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;

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

• | 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 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 brand;

• | 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;

• | 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;

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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

• | changes in tariff policies;

• | 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 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;

• | litigation or administrative proceedings to which we are or may be a party to from time to time;

• | a failure to receive the settlement amount associated with the Vintage Capital and B. Riley litigation when due; 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, 2018, 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 has three key pillars including optimizing our cost structure, enhancing our value proposition, and a focus on franchising.

• | Optimizing our cost structure by continuing to capitalize on recent initiatives targeting overhead, supply chain, and other store expenses; in addition to identifying future opportunities to efficiently manage cost within the business.

• | Enhance our value proposition through targeted pricing strategies across product categories aimed at improving traffic trends and increasing ownership.

• | Focus on franchising allowing us to optimize our physical footprint while improving our capital position.

Recent Developments
Merger Termination. On December 18, 2018, we terminated the Merger Agreement with Vintage Capital. On December 21, 2018, Vintage Capital and its affiliates filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery against Rent-A-Center, asserting that the Merger Agreement remained in effect, and that Vintage Capital did not owe Rent-A-Center the $126.5 million reverse breakup fee associated with our termination of the Merger Agreement. On February 11 th and 12 th of this year, a trial was held in the Delaware Court of Chancery in connection with the lawsuit brought by Vintage Capital (and joined by B Riley) against Rent-A-Center. On March 14, 2019, the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that Rent-A-Center validly terminated the Merger Agreement. As announced on April 22, 2019, we agreed to settle all litigation with Vintage and B. Riley relating to our termination of the Merger Agreement. In the settlement, we will receive a payment of $92.5 million in cash in late May 2019, of which we expect to retain net pre-tax proceeds of $80 million following payment of all remaining costs, fees and expenses relating to the merger termination.
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.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Overview
During the first quarter of 2019, consolidated revenues decreased approximately $1.3 million, primarily driven by refranchising and closures of certain Core U.S. stores, partially offset by increased same store sales. Operating profit, however, increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to decreases in store labor and other store expenses related to a lower Core U.S. store base and cost savings initiatives.
Revenues in our Core U.S. segment decreased approximately $8.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to refranchising efforts and rationalization of the Core U.S. store base, partially offset by an increase in same store sales. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue decreased 1.3% primarily due to changes in the value proposition. Operating profit increased $24.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to decreases in store labor and other store expenses driven by lower store count and cost savings initiatives.
The Acceptance Now segment revenues decreased approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to store closures and partially offset by an increase in same store sales. Gross profit as a percent of revenue decreased 1.2% primarily due to changes in the value proposition. Operating profit as a percent of revenue increased 3.1% primarily due to decreases in store labor and other store expenses driven by cost savings initiatives.
The Mexico segment revenues increased by 10.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, driving an increase in operating profit of 145.3%.
Revenues for the Franchising segment increased $5.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to an increase in franchise locations as a result of our refranchising initiative.
Cash flow from operations was $75.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, ending the period with $237.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and no outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Facility.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
The following table is a reference for the discussion that follows.

| Three Months Ended |  |  |  |
| March 31, |  | Change
(dollar amounts in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | $ |  | %
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Store |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Rentals and fees | $ | 563,354 |  |  | $ | 564,714 |  |  | $ | (1,360 | ) |  | (0.2 | )%
Merchandise sales | 104,470 |  |  | 107,356 |  |  | (2,886 | ) |  | (2.7 | )%
Installment sales | 15,436 |  |  | 16,404 |  |  | (968 | ) |  | (5.9 | )%
Other | 664 |  |  | 2,584 |  |  | (1,920 | ) |  | (74.3 | )%
Total store revenue | 683,924 |  |  | 691,058 |  |  | (7,134 | ) |  | (1.0 | )%
Franchise |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Merchandise sales | 8,456 |  |  | 3,634 |  |  | 4,822 |  |  | 132.7 | %
Royalty income and fees | 4,314 |  |  | 3,351 |  |  | 963 |  |  | 28.7 | %
Total revenues | 696,694 |  |  | 698,043 |  |  | (1,349 | ) |  | (0.2 | )%
Cost of revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Store |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cost of rentals and fees | 155,372 |  |  | 156,095 |  |  | (723 | ) |  | (0.5 | )%
Cost of merchandise sold | 103,391 |  |  | 96,353 |  |  | 7,038 |  |  | 7.3 | %
Cost of installment sales | 4,924 |  |  | 5,242 |  |  | (318 | ) |  | (6.1 | )%
Total cost of store revenues | 263,687 |  |  | 257,690 |  |  | 5,997 |  |  | 2.3 | %
Franchise cost of merchandise sold | 8,141 |  |  | 3,375 |  |  | 4,766 |  |  | 141.2 | %
Total cost of revenues | 271,828 |  |  | 261,065 |  |  | 10,763 |  |  | 4.1 | %
Gross profit | 424,866 |  |  | 436,978 |  |  | (12,112 | ) |  | (2.8 | )%
Operating expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Store expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Labor | 161,656 |  |  | 181,074 |  |  | (19,418 | ) |  | (10.7 | )%
Other store expenses | 163,794 |  |  | 185,949 |  |  | (22,155 | ) |  | (11.9 | )%
General and administrative expenses | 32,924 |  |  | 44,870 |  |  | (11,946 | ) |  | (26.6 | )%
Depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangibles | 15,773 |  |  | 17,900 |  |  | (2,127 | ) |  | (11.9 | )%
Other charges | 33,370 |  |  | 17,455 |  |  | 15,915 |  |  | 91.2 | %
Total operating expenses | 407,517 |  |  | 447,248 |  |  | (39,731 | ) |  | (8.9 | )%
Operating profit (loss) | 17,349 |  |  | (10,270 | ) |  | 27,619 |  |  | 268.9 | %
Interest, net | 8,515 |  |  | 11,151 |  |  | (2,636 | ) |  | (23.6 | )%
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | 8,834 |  |  | (21,421 | ) |  | 30,255 |  |  | 141.2 | %
Income tax expense (benefit) | 1,511 |  |  | (1,578 | ) |  | 3,089 |  |  | 195.8 | %
Net earnings (loss) | $ | 7,323 |  |  | $ | (19,843 | ) |  | $ | 27,166 |  |  | 136.9 | %

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019, compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Store Revenue. Total store revenue decreased by $7.2 million, or 1.0%, to $683.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from $691.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. This was primarily due to a decrease of approximately $8.0 million and $0.5 million in the in the Core U.S. and Acceptance Now 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 2,393 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. Receiving stores will be eligible for inclusion in the same store sales base in the twenty-fourth full month following the customer account transfers. In addition, due to the severity of the 2017 hurricane impacts, we instituted a change to the same store sales store selection criteria to exclude stores in those geographically impacted regions for 18 months. Same store revenues increased by $28.6 million, or 6.8%, to $449.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to $421.1 million in 2018. 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, 2019, decreased by $0.7 million, or 0.5%, to $155.4 million as compared to $156.1 million in 2018. This decrease in cost of rentals and fees was primarily attributable to a decrease of $4.2 million in the Core U.S segment, partially offset by an increase of $3.1 million in Acceptance Now segment. Cost of rentals and fees expressed as a percentage of rentals and fees revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was 27.6%, flat to the same period in 2018.
Cost of Merchandise Sold. Cost of merchandise sold increased by $7.0 million, or 7.3%, to $103.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from $96.4 million in 2018, primarily attributable to an increase of $8.2 million in the Core U.S. segment, partially offset by a decrease of $1.1 million in the Acceptance Now segment. The gross margin percent of merchandise sales decreased to 1.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from 10.2% in 2018.
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased by $12.1 million, or 2.8%, to $424.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from $437.0 million in 2018, due primarily to a decrease of $11.6 million in the Core U.S. segment, as discussed further in the segment performance section below. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 61.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to 62.6% in 2018.
Store Labor. Store labor decreased by $19.4 million, or 10.7%, to $161.7 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to $181.1 million in 2018, primarily due to decreases of $17.0 million and $2.7 million in the Core U.S. and Acceptance Now segments, respectively, as a result of a lower Core U.S. store base and costs savings initiatives. Store labor expressed as a percentage of total store revenue was 23.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to 26.2% in 2018.
Other Store Expenses. Other store expenses decreased by $22.1 million, or 11.9%, to $163.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to $185.9 million in 2018, primarily due to decreases of $20.5 million and $1.9 million in the Core U.S. and Acceptance Now segments, respectively, as a result of a lower Core U.S. store base and costs savings initiatives. Other store expenses expressed as a percentage of total store revenue were 23.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 26.9% in 2018.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased by $12.0 million, or 26.6%, to $32.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to $44.9 million in 2018, primarily due to cost savings initiatives. General and administrative expenses expressed as a percentage of total revenue were 4.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 6.4% in 2018.
Other Charges. Other charges increased by $15.9 million, or 91.2%, to $33.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to $17.5 million in 2018. Other charges for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 primarily related to the Blair class action settlement, incremental legal and professional fees related to the Vintage merger termination, cost savings initiatives, and Core U.S. store closures.
Operating Profit (Loss). Operating results increased by $27.6 million, to a profit of $17.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to a loss of $10.3 million in 2018, primarily due to increases of $25.0 million and $6.1 million in the Core U.S. and Acceptance Now segments, respectively, as discussed further in the segment performance sections below. Operating results expressed as a percentage of total revenue were 2.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to (1.5)% in 2018, primarily due to decreases in store labor, other store expenses, and general and administrative expenses described above.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $1.5 million, as compared to an income tax benefit of $1.6 million in 2018. The effective tax rate was 17.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 7.4% in 2018.
Segment Performance
Core U.S. segment

| Three Months Ended |  |  |  |
| March 31, |  | Change
(dollar amounts in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | $ |  | %
Revenues | $ | 474,057 |  |  | $ | 482,041 |  |  | $ | (7,984 | ) |  | (1.7 | )%
Gross profit | 324,640 |  |  | 336,241 |  |  | (11,601 | ) |  | (3.5 | )%
Operating profit | 53,311 |  |  | 28,387 |  |  | 24,924 |  |  | 87.8 | %
Change in same store revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.8 | %
Stores in same store revenue calculation |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,704

Revenues. The decrease in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was driven primarily by a decrease in rentals and fees revenue of $5.1 million, as compared to 2018. The decrease is primarily due to our refranchising efforts and the rationalization of our Core U.S. store base, offset by an increase in same store sales.
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to 2018, primarily due to the decrease in revenue described above, in addition to an increase in cost of merchandise sold of $8.2 million related to value proposition changes. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues decreased to 68.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to 69.8% for the respective period in 2018.
Operating Profit. Operating profit as a percentage of segment revenues was 11.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 5.9% for the respective period in 2018, primarily due to decreases in store labor and other store expenses of $17.0 million and $20.5 million, respectively. Declines in store labor and other store expenses were driven primarily by lower store count and cost savings initiatives, partially offset by higher merchandise losses. 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 3.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 3.1% for the respective period in 2018. 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 1.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 1.4% for the respective periods in 2018. 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) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | $ |  | %
Revenues | $ | 196,522 |  |  | $ | 196,986 |  |  | $ | (464 | ) |  | (0.2 | )%
Gross profit | 86,328 |  |  | 88,805 |  |  | (2,477 | ) |  | (2.8 | )%
Operating profit | 21,513 |  |  | 15,430 |  |  | 6,083 |  |  | 39.4 | %
Change in same store revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10.1 | %
Stores in same store revenue calculation |  |  |  |  |  |  | 581 |

Revenues. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019 decreased compared to 2018, driven primarily by store closures, offset by an increase in same store sales.
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 2018, primarily due to value proposition changes. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues decreased to 43.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 45.1% for the respective periods in 2018.
Operating Profit. Operating profit increased by 39.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively, as compared to 2018. The increase in operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily due to decreases in labor and other store expenses driven by cost savings initiatives, offset by increased merchandise losses. Charge-offs in our Acceptance Now locations due to customer stolen merchandise, expressed as a percentage of revenues, were approximately 10.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 8.7% in 2018. Charge-offs in our Acceptance Now locations due to other merchandise losses, expressed as a percentage of revenues, were approximately 0.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 0.7% in 2018.
Mexico segment

| Three Months Ended |  |  |  |
| March 31, |  | Change
(dollar amounts in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | $ |  | %
Revenues | $ | 13,345 |  |  | $ | 12,031 |  |  | $ | 1,314 |  |  | 10.9 | %
Gross profit | 9,269 |  |  | 8,322 |  |  | 947 |  |  | 11.4 | %
Operating profit | 1,219 |  |  | 497 |  |  | 722 |  |  | 145.3 | %
Change in same store revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  | 13.1 | %
Stores in same store revenue calculation |  |  |  |  |  |  | 108 |

Revenues. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were negatively impacted by exchange rate fluctuations of approximately $0.2 million, as compared to the same period in 2018. On a constant currency basis, revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2019 increased approximately $1.5 million.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was negatively impacted by approximately $0.1 million due to exchange rate fluctuations as compared to the same period in 2018. On a constant currency basis, gross profit increased by
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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
approximately $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues was 69.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 69.2% for the respective period in 2018.
Operating Profit. Operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was minimally impacted by exchange rate fluctuations compared to 2018. Operating profit as a percentage of segment revenues increased to 9.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from 4.1% for the respective period in 2018, driven primarily by cost savings initiatives.
Franchising segment

| Three Months Ended |  |  |  |
| March 31, |  | Change
(dollar amounts in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018 |  | $ |  | %
Revenues | $ | 12,770 |  |  | $ | 6,985 |  |  | $ | 5,785 |  |  | 82.8 | %
Gross profit | 4,629 |  |  | 3,610 |  |  | 1,019 |  |  | 28.2 | %
Operating profit | 1,778 |  |  | 1,256 |  |  | 522 |  |  | 41.6 | %

Revenues. Revenues increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the respective period in 2018, primarily due to an increase in franchise locations as a result of our refranchising initiative.
Gross Profit. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues decreased to 36.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively, from 51.7% for the respective period in 2018, primarily due to changes in our revenue mix of franchise royalties & fees and rental merchandise sales, related to the increase in franchise locations described above.
Operating Profit. Operating profit as a percentage of segment revenues decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 to 13.9%, compared to 18.0% for the respective period in 2018, primarily due to the decline in gross profit described above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we generated $75.8 million in operating cash flow. We used cash in the amount of $2.5 million for capital expenditures, and also had proceeds from the sale of property assets of $8.5 million, ending the three-month period with $237.7 million of cash and cash equivalents.
Analysis of Cash Flow. Cash provided by operating activities decreased $8.7 million to $75.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from $84.5 million in 2018. This was primarily attributable to higher inventory purchases, offset by improved net earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.
Cash provided by investing activities increased approximately $5.6 million to $6.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, from $0.4 million in 2018, due primarily to a decrease in capital expenditures.
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $(77.4) million in 2018, a change of $77.8 million, primarily driven by debt repayments of $77.6 million in the first quarter of 2018.
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. 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, 2019, we had $228.0 million in cash on hand, and $95.1 million available under our Revolving Facility at March 31, 2019.
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.
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Deferred Taxes. Certain federal tax legislation enacted during the period 2009 to 2017 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 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 bonus depreciation provided by the Tax Act resulted in an estimated benefit of $174 million for us in 2018. We estimate the remaining tax deferral associated with bonus depreciation from the Tax Act is approximately $207 million at December 31, 2018, of which approximately 78%, or $161 million, will reverse in 2019, and the majority of the remainder will reverse between 2020 and 2021.
Merchandise Losses. Merchandise losses consist of the following:

| Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands) | 2019 |  | 2018
Customer stolen merchandise | $ | 39,746 |  |  | $ | 34,872 |
Other merchandise losses (1) | 6,837 |  |  | 8,179 |
Total merchandise losses | $ | 46,583 |  |  | $ | 43,051 |

(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 investments in information technology. We spent $2.5 million and $8.6 million on capital expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Acquisitions and New Location Openings. During the first three months of 2019, we did not acquire any new locations.
The table below summarizes the location activity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019.

| Core U.S. |  | Acceptance Now Staffed |  | Acceptance Now Direct |  | Mexico |  | Franchising |  | Total
Locations at beginning of period | 2,158 |  |  | 1,106 |  |  | 96 |  |  | 122 |  |  | 281 |  |  | 3,763 |
New location openings | — |  |  | 31 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 31 |
Conversions and refranchising | (37 | ) |  | (11 | ) |  | 11 |  |  | — |  |  | 37 |  |  | — |
Closed locations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Merged with existing locations | (28 | ) |  | (88 | ) |  | (13 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (129 | )
Locations at end of period | 2,093 |  |  | 1,038 |  |  | 94 |  |  | 122 |  |  | 318 |  |  | 3,665 |

Senior Debt. As discussed in Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Credit Agreement includes a $200 million Revolving Facility, which is scheduled to mature in December 2019. We may use $150 million of the Revolving Facility for the issuance of letters of credit, of which $92 million had been so utilized as of April 30, 2019.
Senior Notes. See descriptions of the senior notes in Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Store Leases. We lease space for all of our Core U.S. and Mexico stores under operating leases expiring at various times through 2024. 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, 2019:

| Payments Due by Period
(in thousands) | Total |  | 2019 |  | 2020-2021 |  | 2022-2023 |  | Thereafter
6.625% Senior Notes(1) | $ | 331,528 |  |  | $ | 19,394 |  |  | $ | 312,134 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
4.75% Senior Notes(2) | 279,688 |  |  | 11,875 |  |  | 267,813 |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Operating Leases | 320,950 |  |  | 91,427 |  |  | 169,248 |  |  | 57,081 |  |  | 3,194 |
Total(3) | $ | 932,166 |  |  | $ | 122,696 |  |  | $ | 749,195 |  |  | $ | 57,081 |  |  | $ | 3,194 |

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

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

(3) | As of March 31, 2019, we have recorded $36.4 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.

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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. 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, primarily due to the receipt of federal income tax refunds.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires immediate recognition of estimated current expected credit losses, rather than recognition when incurred. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 will be required for us beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are currently in the process of determining the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on our installment notes receivables. We do not expect to early adopt this ASU.
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 determining what impact the adoption of this ASU will have on our financial statements upon adoption.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which removes, modifies, and adds certain disclosure requirements in ASC 820, to improve the effectiveness of the fair value measurement disclosures. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 will be required for us beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are currently in the process of determining the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on our financial statements. We do not anticipate early adopting this ASU.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40); Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, which requires implementation costs incurred by customers in cloud computing arrangements (CCAs) to be deferred and recognized over the term of the arrangement, if those costs would be capitalized by the customer in a software licensing agreement under the internal-use software guidance in ASC 350-40. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 will be required for us 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.
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.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
As of March 31, 2019, 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%. The fair value of the 6.625% senior notes, based on the closing price at March 31, 2019, was $292.7 million. The fair value of the 4.75% senior notes, based on the closing price at March 31, 2019, was $244.0 million.
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
Interest rates on borrowings under our Credit Agreement are variable, indexed to prime or Eurodollar rates that expose us to the risk of increased interest costs if interest rates rise. As of March 31, 2019, we did not have any outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Facility.
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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 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 Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of March 31, 2019, 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. In conjunction with the adoption of the new lease accounting standard as of January 1, 2019, we implemented a new back-office lease administration and accounting system to support the new accounting and disclosure requirements as a lessee. In addition, we implemented certain changes to our previous accounting policies, processes, and internal controls to ensure compliance with the new standard.
Other than as described above, for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, 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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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 the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Texas 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. A complaint filed by James DePalma also in Sherman, Texas alleging similar claims was consolidated by the court into the Hall matter. On October 8, 2018, the parties agreed to settle this matter for $11 million. The court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on December 13, 2018. Under the terms of the settlement our insurance carrier paid in January 2019 an aggregate of $11 million in cash which will be distributed to an agreed upon class of claimants who purchased our common stock from July 27, 2015 through October 10, 2016, as well as used to pay costs of notice and settlement administration, and plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and expenses. The settlement was approved by the court at a hearing held on May 3, 2019.
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. Following a court-ordered mediation on March 28, 2019, we reached an agreement in principle to settle this matter for a total of $13 million, including attorneys’ fees. The settlement is in the documentation process and is subject to approval by the court. We have denied any liability in the settlement and agreed to the settlement in order to avoid additional expensive, time-consuming litigation. We recorded the impact of this settlement in the first quarter of 2019.
Vintage Rodeo Parent, LLC, Vintage Rodeo Acquisition, Inc. and Vintage Capital Management, LLC, and B. Riley Financial, Inc. v. Rent-A-Center, Inc. On December 18, 2018, after the Company did not receive an extension notice from Vintage Rodeo Parent, LLC (“Vintage”) that was required by December 17, 2018 to extend the Merger Agreement’s stated End Date, we terminated the Merger Agreement. Our Board of Directors determined that terminating the Merger Agreement was in the best interests of our stockholders, and instructed Rent-A-Center’s management to exercise the Company’s right to terminate the Merger Agreement and make a demand on Vintage for the $126.5 million reverse breakup fee owed to us following the termination of the Merger Agreement. On December 21, 2018, Vintage and its affiliates filed a lawsuit in Delaware Court of Chancery against Rent-A-Center, asserting that the Merger Agreement remained in effect, and that Vintage did not owe Rent-A-Center the $126.5 million reverse breakup fee associated with our termination of the Merger Agreement. B. Riley, a guarantor of the payment of the reverse breakup fee, later joined the lawsuit brought by Vintage in Delaware Court of Chancery. In addition, we brought a counterclaim against Vintage and B. Riley asserting our right to payment of the reverse breakup fee.
On February 11th and 12th of this year, a trial was held in Delaware Court of Chancery in the lawsuit arising from Rent-A-Center's termination of the Merger Agreement. On March 14, 2019, the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that Rent-A-Center validly terminated the Merger Agreement. As announced on April 22, 2019, we agreed to settle all litigation with Vintage and B. Riley relating to our termination of the Merger Agreement. In the settlement, we will receive a payment of $92.5 million in cash in late May 2019. In connection with the settlement, Rent-A-Center will exchange mutual releases with all other parties with respect to all matters relating to the Merger Agreement, including its termination.
After payment of all remaining costs, fees and expenses relating to the terminated Merger Agreement and arising from the settlement of the litigation, we expect to retain pre-tax proceeds of approximately $80.0 million.
Velma Russell v. Acceptance Now. This purported class action arising out of calls made by Acceptance Now to customers’ reference (s) was filed on January 29, 2019 in Massachusetts state court. Specifically, plaintiffs seek to certify a class representing any references of customers (within the state of Massachusetts) during the 4 years prior to the filing date that were contacted by Acceptance Now more frequently during a 12 month period than is permitted by Massachusetts state law. The plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief and statutory damages of $25 per reference which may be tripled to $75 per reference. References are not parties to our consumer arbitration agreement.
We operate 12 Acceptance Now locations in Massachusetts. We intend to vigorously defend these claims; however, we cannot assure you that we will be found to have no liability in this matter.
Federal Trade Commission civil investigative demand. In April 2019, along with other rent to own companies, we received a civil investigative demand from the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") seeking information regarding certain transactions involving the purchase and sale of customer lease agreements, and whether such transactions violated the FTC Act. Although we believe
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such transactions were in compliance with the FTC Act, this inquiry could lead to an enforcement action and/or a consent order, and substantial costs. The Company is in the process of responding to this inquiry from the FTC.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material 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, 2018.
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
2.1 | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 17, 2018, by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc., Vintage Rodeo Parent, LLC and Vintage Rodeo Acquisition, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated as of June 17, 2018.)
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.)

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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.)
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.)

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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.)
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.)
10.39 | Letter Agreement, dated May 25, 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 Flagship Fund, LP, Engaged Capital Flagship Fund, Ltd., Engaged Capital, LLC, 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 May 25, 2018.)
10.40 | Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2018, 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 on December 12, 2018.)
10,41 | Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, entered into as of April 16, 2019, between Rent-A-Center, Inc. and Mitchell E. Fadel (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K on April 16, 2019.)
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.)

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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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
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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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
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
|  | EVP, Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 8, 2019
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