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What does it really take to build a multistate rent to own company from the ground up and sustain it for more than 40 years?

In this episode of The RTO Show, Peter Shau sits down with Larry Carrico, founder of Rent One, to unpack the leadership principles, training systems, acquisition strategy, and customer-first mindset that helped shape one of the most respected independent rent to own businesses in the industry. 

Larry shares the story behind growing Rent One from two struggling stores into more than 100 locations across eight states, why people development became the foundation of long term growth, and how the rent to own industry continues to evolve through gaming, technology, customer service, and generational leadership. This conversation is packed with practical insights for rent to own operators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone interested in scaling a family business while leaving a legacy. 

What You’ll Learn:

• How Larry Carrico grew Rent One through acquisitions, operational systems, and leadership development
• Why employee training and company culture became a competitive advantage in the rent to own industry
• The real role APRO advocacy played in protecting rent to own businesses and consumer access
• How Rent One adapted to changes in retail, gaming, e-commerce, and younger customer behavior
• Why long term growth depends on mentorship, succession planning, and building the right team

Episode Highlights:

• 04:49 – How Larry Carrico bought his first two rent to own stores with borrowed money and determination
• 09:27 – Why Rent One focused on acquiring struggling stores instead of opening from scratch
• 14:20 – The Zig Ziglar training philosophy that shaped Rent One’s employee culture
• 22:14 – Larry’s first experience working with APRO and fighting anti rent to own legislation
• 27:39 – How Rent One built a customer experience around solving real household problems
• 31:36 – The story behind launching RNR Tire Express and entering the wheel and tire industry
• 41:02 – Rebuilding the business after a devastating fire destroyed company records and operations
• 50:36 – Where Larry believes the future of rent to own is headed with gaming, younger customers, and evolving consumer behavior

Meet the Guest:

Larry Carrico is the founder of Rent One and a longtime leader in the rent to own industry. Over the last four decades, he has helped grow Rent One into a multistate operation while serving in APRO leadership roles and mentoring the next generation of RTO business owners. 

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• The Five Ps framework: People, Program, Pricing, Products, and Promotion
• Zig Ziglar leadership and motivation training systems
• DISC personality assessments and employee development strategies
• Company Cake employee training platform
• APRO legislative advocacy and state level rent to own education
• Acquisition based growth strategy for independent rent to own operators
• Delivery Tech Rodeo employee engagement and operational training program

Closing Insight:

Larry Carrico’s story is a reminder that long term business success is built through people, persistence, and the willingness to keep learning. From rebuilding after setbacks to mentoring future leaders, this episode highlights why the rent to own industry continues to thrive through innovation, relationships, and service.

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