FirstCash, Inc. is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and operates as the leading international pawn shop chain with more than 3,300 retail locations. The company was founded to serve cash and credit-constrained consumers through a network spanning 29 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the United Kingdom, and Latin America (Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and El Salvador). FirstCash is publicly traded and included in both the Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 2000 Index, employing approximately 22,000 people globally.
FirstCash's core business model centers on pawn loans—small, non-recourse loans secured by pledged personal property—and retail sales of merchandise. The company buys and sells a wide variety of items including jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, and musical instruments. Beyond traditional pawn lending, FirstCash offers layaway services (10% down payment required), gold and precious metal buying, and retail merchandise sales. Through its subsidiary AFF, the company also provides lease-to-own and retail finance payment solutions through over 15,000 merchant partner locations nationwide.
What distinguishes FirstCash is its massive scale as the dominant international pawn operator with more locations than any competitor, combined with its public company status and inclusion in major indices. The company operates a sophisticated retail network with an online store locator, inventory browsing capabilities, and standardized pawn loan processes across locations. Their integration of AFF's payment solutions platform demonstrates diversification beyond traditional pawn operations into broader consumer finance technology.
For consumers, FirstCash provides quick access to cash through collateral-based lending without credit checks, making it accessible to those with poor or no credit history. However, pawn loans involve surrendering personal property, and interest rates on pawn loans are typically high compared to traditional loans. The company's scale ensures availability in many markets, but loan terms, fees, and merchandise quality may vary by location.