Lubbock entrepreneur to open RNR stores

LUBBOCK, Texas (Feb. 4, 2016) — A rent-to-own business veteran in Lubbock plans to open a pair of RNR Tire Express & Custom Wheels locations in that west-central Texas city in the coming 18 months, according to franchisor RNR.

AJ Arthus, owner of six Vision Furniture & Applicance lease-to-own stores in the Lubbock area, recently signed a franchise agreement with RNR and has begun scouting the area for locations, RNR said. The first one should open before year-end.

“I had been waiting for the right time to diversify my business holdings and have been watching the growth and success of the RNR franchise system over the past few years,” Mr. Arthus said.

“I am impressed with every aspect of what RNR does and how they do it, which all starts with the leadership team but continues to be delivered at the store level.”

Mr. Arthus' stores would be the first RNR locations in Lubbock, although there are six RNR stores in Texas — five in the Houston area and one in Austin, according to RNR's dealer locator.

He eventually hopes to open additional RNR locations through west-central Texas, but for now is focusing on the first one in Lubbock, a city of about 240,000 inhabitants, according to the company.

“At the moment, I am going to focus on this first location, and do what we need to do to ensure that the Lubbock community has a great experience with our brand,” Mr. Arthus said. “We are confident that the community will embrace the options that RNR provides and we'd love to open more RNR locations.”

RNR Founder and President Larry Sutton said the company is “excited to be working with another veteran in the rent-to-own industry, and we are confident that AJ will be another success story and develop the Lubbock market.”

Headquarted in Tampa, Fla., RNR started franchising in 2003 and today has 12 franchisees with 68 franchise locations and 15 corporate-owned locations and stores in 21 states. Several more are under construction, RNR said.

More information on RNR's franchise program is available on its website.