Aaron's, Inc., the leading lease-to-own specialty retailer that offers flexible payment options for credit-challenged individuals, announced Wednesday that it has received strong support from its franchisees in connection with the Company's acquisition of Progressive Finance Holdings, LLC ("Progressive"), and Aaron's new strategic plan.

In connection with these announcements, Aaron's held a conference call and meetings with its franchisees where it outlined the significant benefits the Progressive acquisition will have for franchisees and reiterated the Company's commitment to supporting the franchisee community as it works to grow and develop the Aaron's brand.  Franchisees made the following comments:

Dave Edwards, President and Chief Operating Officer, SEI and Aaron's Franchisee Board Member (106 stores)

• "The Progressive acquisition moves Aaron's quantum leaps forward.  Progressive has already proven they can attract a customer electronically and Progressive's ability to approve a customer online is a more quantifiable way to qualify a customer. This gives us the opportunity down the road to be more things to more people."

Mark Connelly, Vice President of Development, Arona Corp. and Aaron's Franchisee Board Member (51 stores)

• "There's a lot of excitement and Aaron's is really listening to the franchisees and getting our input and including us on decision making.  We feel that we're being listened to and taken seriously."
• "The customer base is telling us there is a need to grow our online presence.  We hope it will be a win-win for all involved – growth for everyone and the opportunity to bring new product lines, and more options and selections for customers."

Mitch Raines, Franchise Principal, Natural State Leasing Corp (12 stores)

• "Steve Michaels being named President rallies the troops and brings vision and excitement back to the company."
• "I am excited about my franchise business and where it is headed and excited about how Progressive's knowledge can enhance our online business."

Todd Wilkins, Franchise Principal, Fairway Leasing (10 stores)

• "Progressive will help us broaden and expand our customer base.  There are millions who fit our demographic who are not walking into our stores. We can leverage this acquisition to get them into our stores or online to become our customers."
• "Aaron's is continuing to stay out in front in a changing industry.  Online is a huge piece of this strategy.  The Progressive acquisition will provide Aaron's with a much improved online presence and online transaction opportunities."
• "With Michael P. Ryan working with the franchise community, it has resulted in an immediate impact.  We've seen positive changes and better communication between franchisees and the management team."

Greg Ponte, Franchise Principal, Armco, LLC (5 stores)

• "We help our customers own it and we do it better than others in the industry.  Today we have an opportunity to own the future.  Aaron's has taken off running now and it brings a ton of energy which fires everyone up in the field."

Ron Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Aaron's, said, "We appreciate the statement of support from our franchisees, who are key to our business.  We look forward to continuing to listen to their ideas and working together for the future success of Aaron's."

As previously announced on April 15, 2014, Aaron's acquired Progressive, a merchandise lease-to-own company, which provides Aaron's with an important entry point into the rapidly-growing virtual rent-to-own market.  In addition, Aaron's announced a new strategic plan to renew focus on same store revenue growth for Aaron's core store portfolio; refine and grow the Company's online platform; drive cost efficiency to recapture margin; moderate growth in new company-operated stores; and strengthen and grow the franchise store base.