Revenues Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	$ 579,573	$ 550,795	$ 1,682,310	$ 1,665,829
Merchandise sales	91,233	65,552	300,693	240,864
Installment sales	16,580	16,952	48,970	49,658
Other	844	1,054	2,341	2,962
Total store revenues	688,230	634,353	2,034,314	1,959,313
Merchandise sales	19,069	11,178	49,553	30,307
Royalty income and fees	4,716	3,840	13,833	12,370
Total revenues	712,015	649,371	2,097,700	2,001,990
Franchise fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	4,200		4,200		$ 4,500
Other product plans [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	3,000		3,000		2,900
Rental purchase agreements [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	41,900		41,900		$ 39,900
Rent-A-Center Business [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	414,798	389,421	1,193,301	1,196,800
Merchandise sales	42,459	29,185	144,887	112,678
Installment sales	16,580	16,952	48,970	49,658
Other	386	939	1,222	2,514
Total store revenues	474,223	436,497	1,388,380	1,361,650
Merchandise sales	0	0	0	0
Royalty income and fees	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	474,223	436,497	1,388,380	1,361,650
Preferred Lease [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	153,306	148,711	454,744	431,008
Merchandise sales	48,096	35,667	153,774	125,963
Installment sales	0	0	0	0
Other	257	108	511	426
Total store revenues	201,659	184,486	609,029	557,397
Merchandise sales	0	0	0	0
Royalty income and fees	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	201,659	184,486	609,029	557,397
Mexico [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	11,469	12,663	34,265	38,021
Merchandise sales	678	700	2,032	2,223
Installment sales	0	0	0	0
Other	12	7	19	22
Total store revenues	12,159	13,370	36,316	40,266
Merchandise sales	0	0	0	0
Royalty income and fees	0	0	0	0
Total revenues	12,159	13,370	36,316	40,266
Franchising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees	0	0	0	0
Merchandise sales	0	0	0	0
Installment sales	0	0	0	0
Other	189	0	589	0
Total store revenues	189	0	589	0
Merchandise sales	19,069	11,178	49,553	30,307
Royalty income and fees	4,716	3,840	13,833	12,370
Total revenues	$ 23,974	$ 15,018	$ 63,975	$ 42,677