Aaron's To Franchise Rimco Wheel And Rim Leasing Concept; Proven Aaron's Model To Penetrate $3.9 Billion Wheel And Tire Retail Market

The market is booming across all demographics and our goal is to build the first national custom wheel and rim chain. Kevin Leary, director of franchise development and operations for Rimco Sales & Lease Ownership

(Tuesday, May 16, 2006) - Kevin Leary, director of franchise development and operations for Rimco Sales & Lease Ownership, announced that parent company Aaron Rents, Inc., has charted an aggressive plan to franchise the RIMCO concept nationally.

RIMCO will offer custom wheels, rims and services in 4,000 to 6,000 square foot, freestanding, stores.

According to the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA), the national rim market tripled in size, from $1.3 billion in 1995 to $3.9 billion in 2004. "The market is booming across all demographics and our goal is to build the first national custom wheel and rim chain," said Leary. "We'll do that by franchising our RIMCO concept to meet consumer demand and by operating the stores on the proven Aaron Sales & Lease Ownership business model."

Aaron's RIMCO Factoids

Aaron's has been in business since 1955; franchising since 1992.
Aaron's franchise is ranked #1 in it's category by Entrepreneur magazine and #78 among franchise chains in worldwide sales by Franchise Times magazine.
Aaron's operates 1,223 stores as of March 2006.
There are 110 Aaron's franchisees
94 (86%) of Aaron's franchisees are multi-unit operators.
Key RIMCO Executives: Ken Butler, President, and Kevin Leary, Director of Franchise Development & Operations.

Aaron's operates 1,220 stores in 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Rimco currently has nine company locations open.

The first franchise stores are in Columbus, Georgia, and Farmington, New Mexico. Leary plans to have more 25 locations by year end.

RIMCO Franchising/Add Two "We're at the right place at the right time," said Leary. "If you follow our systems, RIMCO can be a rewarding franchise opportunity."