SuperPawn

FirstCash, Inc., headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the dominant global pawn shop operator with over 3,300 retail locations spanning 29 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the United Kingdom, and Latin America (Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and El Salvador). The company serves cash and credit-constrained consumers who need quick access to funds without traditional credit requirements.

FirstCash's core business model centers on non-recourse pawn loans secured by pledged personal property, allowing customers to borrow money against items of value. Beyond lending, the company operates a substantial retail merchandising business, buying and selling jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, musical instruments, and general merchandise. FirstCash also offers layaway services (with 10% down payments), gold and precious metal buying, and operates AFF, a subsidiary providing lease-to-own and retail finance solutions through 15,000+ merchant partner locations.

What distinguishes FirstCash is its scale—as a publicly traded company (component of S&P MidCap 400 and Russell 2000 indices), it operates significantly more locations than independent pawn shops and provides a standardized, nationwide experience. The company employs approximately 22,000 people and leverages technology-driven point-of-sale systems to streamline transactions. Their retail footprint means diverse inventory and immediate cash payment for items sold.

Pawn loans are inherently expensive compared to traditional credit, and customers must surrender possession of items during the loan term. While FirstCash doesn't disclose interest rates on their main website, pawn loans typically carry high rates (often 10-25% monthly in many states). For consumers without access to credit, however, pawn loans offer speed and no credit checks. The company is transparent about being non-recourse (collateral-based only), making it accessible to those with poor credit histories.