Revenues Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees									$ 2,224,402	$ 2,244,860	$ 2,267,741
Merchandise sales									304,630	304,455	331,402
Installment sales									70,434	69,572	71,651
Other									4,795	9,000	9,620
Total store revenues									2,604,261	2,627,887	2,680,414
Franchise merchandise sales									49,135	19,087	13,157
Royalty income and fees									16,456	13,491	8,969
Total revenues	$ 667,862	$ 649,371	$ 655,925	$ 696,694	$ 661,750	$ 644,942	$ 655,730	$ 698,043	2,669,852	2,660,465	2,702,540
Deferred revenue	52,589				53,348				52,589	53,348
Rental purchase agreements [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	39,900				42,100				39,900	42,100
Other product plans [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	2,900				3,000				2,900	3,000
Franchise fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$ 4,500				$ 4,100				4,500	4,100
Rent-A-Center Business [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees									1,585,997	1,640,839
Merchandise sales									140,372	136,878
Installment sales									70,434	69,572
Other									3,683	8,423
Total store revenues									1,800,486	1,855,712
Franchise merchandise sales									0	0
Royalty income and fees									0	0
Total revenues									1,800,486	1,855,712	1,835,422
Preferred Lease [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees									587,502	557,592
Merchandise sales									161,235	164,432
Installment sales									0	0
Other									523	538
Total store revenues									749,260	722,562
Franchise merchandise sales									0	0
Royalty income and fees									0	0
Total revenues									749,260	722,562	797,987
Mexico [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees									50,903	46,429
Merchandise sales									3,023	3,145
Installment sales									0	0
Other									34	39
Total store revenues									53,960	49,613
Franchise merchandise sales									0	0
Royalty income and fees									0	0
Total revenues									53,960	49,613	47,005
Franchising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees									0	0
Merchandise sales									0	0
Installment sales									0	0
Other									555	0
Total store revenues									555	0
Franchise merchandise sales									49,135	19,087
Royalty income and fees									16,456	13,491
Total revenues									$ 66,146	$ 32,578	$ 22,126