Revenues (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Revenues [Abstract]

Revenues [Text Block]

Revenues

The following tables disaggregates our revenue:

	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021
	Rent-A-Center Business		Acima		Mexico		Franchising		Consolidated
(In thousands)
Store
Rentals and fees	$	1,762,847	$	1,701,532	$	58,074	$	—	$	3,522,453
Merchandise sales	199,781		626,166		3,275		—		829,222
Installment sales	73,585		—		—		—		73,585
Other	1,636		391		54		2,067		4,148
Total store revenues	2,037,849		2,328,089		61,403		2,067		4,429,408
Franchise
Merchandise sales	—		—		—		126,856		126,856
Royalty income and fees	—		—		—		27,187		27,187
Total revenues	$	2,037,849	$	2,328,089	$	61,403	$	156,110	$	4,583,451

	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020
	Rent-A-Center Business		Acima		Mexico		Franchising		Consolidated
(In thousands)
Store
Rentals and fees	$	1,604,615	$	610,908	$	47,568	$	—	$	2,263,091
Merchandise sales	177,223		198,517		2,977		—		378,717
Installment sales	68,500		—		—		—		68,500
Other	2,303		726		38		778		3,845
Total store revenues	1,852,641		810,151		50,583		778		2,714,153
Franchise
Merchandise sales	—		—		—		80,023		80,023
Royalty income and fees	—		—		—		20,015		20,015
Total revenues	$	1,852,641	$	810,151	$	50,583	$	100,816	$	2,814,191

	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019
	Rent-A-Center Business		Acima		Mexico		Franchising		Consolidated
(In thousands)
Store
Rentals and fees	$	1,585,997	$	587,502	$	50,903	$	—	$	2,224,402
Merchandise sales	140,372		161,235		3,023		—		304,630
Installment sales	70,434		—		—		—		70,434
Other	3,683		523		34		555		4,795
Total store revenues	1,800,486		749,260		53,960		555		2,604,261
Franchise
Merchandise sales	—		—		—		49,135		49,135
Royalty income and fees	—		—		—		16,456		16,456
Total revenues	$	1,800,486	$	749,260	$	53,960	$	66,146	$	2,669,852

Lease Purchase Agreements

Rent-A-Center Business, Acima, and Mexico

Rentals and Fees. Rental 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 may renew the rental agreement for the next rental term. Generally, the customer has the right to acquire title of the merchandise either through a purchase option or through payment of all required rental terms. Customers can terminate the rental agreement at the end of any rental term without penalty. Therefore, rental transactions are accounted for as operating leases.

Rental payments received at our Rent-A-Center Business, Acima (excluding virtual) and Mexico locations must be prepaid in advance of the next rental term. Under the virtual business model, revenues may be earned prior to the rental payment due date, in which case revenue is accrued prior to receipt of the rental payment, net of estimated returns and uncollectible renewal payments. Under both models, rental revenue is recognized over the rental term. See Note D for additional information regarding accrued rental revenue.

Cash received for rental payments, including fees, prior to the period in which it should be recognized, is deferred and recognized according to the rental term. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $51.7 million and $45.8 million, respectively, in deferred revenue included in accrued liabilities related to our rental purchase agreements. Revenue related to various payment, reinstatement or late fees is recognized when paid by the customer at the point service is provided. Rental merchandise in our Rent-A-Center Business, former Preferred Lease, and Mexico locations is depreciated using the income forecasting method and recognized in cost of sales over the rental term. Rental merchandise in Acima Holdings is depreciated over the rental term using a straight-line depreciation method.

We also 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, and payment insurance in the event eligible customers become unemployed. 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.

Revenue from contracts with customers

Rent-A-Center Business, Acima, 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 period and receive a refund for payments previously made towards the plan. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $2.6 million and $3.1 million, respectively, in deferred revenue included in accrued liabilities related to extended service plans.

Other. Other revenue consists of revenue generated by other miscellaneous product plans offered to our rental and installment customers. 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 accrued and recognized as rental payments and merchandise 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 December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $4.1 million and $4.7 million, respectively, in deferred revenue included in accrued liabilities related to franchise fees.