Revenues Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	$ 568,000	$ 563,354
Merchandise sales	101,380	104,470
Installment sales	14,747	15,436
Other	722	664
Total store revenues	684,849	683,924
Merchandise sales	12,437	8,456
Royalty income and fees	4,653	4,314
Total revenues	701,939	696,694
Rental purchase agreements [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	37,300		$ 39,900
Other product plans [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	2,900		2,900
Franchise fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	4,400		$ 4,500
Rent-A-Center Business [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	393,165	407,580
Merchandise sales	46,687	50,558
Installment sales	14,747	15,436
Other	366	483
Total store revenues	454,965	474,057
Merchandise sales	0	0
Royalty income and fees	0	0
Total revenues	454,965	474,057
Preferred Lease [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	161,998	143,193
Merchandise sales	53,988	53,156
Installment sales	0	0
Other	141	173
Total store revenues	216,127	196,522
Merchandise sales	0	0
Royalty income and fees	0	0
Total revenues	216,127	196,522
Mexico [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	12,837	12,581
Merchandise sales	705	756
Installment sales	0	0
Other	4	8
Total store revenues	13,546	13,345
Merchandise sales	0	0
Royalty income and fees	0	0
Total revenues	13,546	13,345
Franchising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	0	0
Merchandise sales	0	0
Installment sales	0	0
Other	211	0
Total store revenues	211	0
Merchandise sales	12,437	8,456
Royalty income and fees	4,653	4,314
Total revenues	$ 17,301	$ 12,770