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Aaron's Company

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Employees 10,000+
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FY2016 Annual Report · Aaron's Company
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Saying “Yes” to

More Customers

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Annual Report 2016

 
 
Aaron’s, Inc. 
Saying “Yes” to More Customers

Headquartered in Atlanta since 1955, Aaron’s, Inc. proudly 
owns and operates businesses specializing in providing a 
wide-range of quality products with flexible, affordable payment 
options to credit-constrained and under-banked customers. 
Successfully adapting to the evolving market space, Aaron’s, 
Inc. said “yes” to more than 1.6 million customers in 2016 
through our Aaron’s stores in neighborhoods across North 
America, our Aarons.com website, and thousands of retailer 
partners supported by Progressive Leasing. Aaron’s market-
leading differentiators are our multi-channel platform which 
provides customers with unprecedented choices, our program 
flexibility to meet customers’ changing financial needs and our 
associates who take a personal interest in serving customers 
with integrity and compassion.

Aaron’s, Inc. 

Saying “Yes” to More Customers

Headquartered in Atlanta since 1955, Aaron’s, Inc. proudly 

owns and operates businesses specializing in providing a 

wide-range of quality products with flexible, affordable payment 

options to credit-constrained and under-banked customers. 

Successfully adapting to the evolving market space, Aaron’s, 

Inc. said “yes” to more than 1.6 million customers in 2016 

through our Aaron’s stores in neighborhoods across North 

America, our Aarons.com website, and thousands of retailer 

partners supported by Progressive Leasing. Aaron’s market-

leading differentiators are our multi-channel platform which 

provides customers with unprecedented choices, our program 

flexibility to meet customers’ changing financial needs and our 

associates who take a personal interest in serving customers 

with integrity and compassion.

Financial Highlights

(Dollar Amounts in Thousands,  
Except Per Share Data) 

OPERATING RESULTS

Revenues 

Earnings Before Income Taxes 

Net Earnings 

Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution 

Dividends Per Share 

FINANCIAL POSITION

Total Assets* 

Lease Merchandise, Net 

Debt* 

Shareholders’ Equity 

Net Debt-to-Capitalization 

STORES OPEN AT YEAR END

Company-operated 

Franchised** 

Progressive Active Retail Doors*** 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2016 

Year Ended
December 31, 
2015

$3,207,716 
218,422 
139,283 
1.91 
0.1025 

$2,615,736 
999,381 
497,829 
1,481,598 
9.6% 

$3,179,756

213,120

135,709

1.86

0.0940

$2,698,488

1,138,938

606,746

1,366,618

30.0%

1,165 
699 
17,963 

1,305

734

13,248

* Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods to conform to the current period presentation. The Company made a 
reclassification to the December 31, 2015 balance sheet to record the estimated insurance coverage in excess of stop-loss policy limits 
and to reflect certain prepayments to the insurance carrier as part of other assets, net and the related gross insurance reserve as accounts 
payable and accrued expenses, rather than presenting them on a net basis. Additionally, $3.7 million of capitalized deferred debt issuance 
costs were reclassified from other assets, net to be a deduction from debt as of December 31, 2015 to conform with the current period 
presentation.

** Franchised stores are not owned or operated by Aaron’s, Inc.

*** An active door is a retail location which completed at least one transaction during the fourth quarter of each year shown.

This annual report to shareholders contains forward-looking statements, including forecasts of our future performance. These statements 
are subject to the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements on page 4 of our Form 10-K included within this annual report 
to shareholders.

Revenues By Year

Net Earnings By Year

2015
3,179,756

2016
3,207,716

2014
2,695,033

2012
2,212,827

2013
2,234,631

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$
(

2012
173,043

2013
120,666

2014
78,233

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$
(

2015
135,709

2016
139,283

 
 
 
 
 
Progressive championed the vision in 
2016, which resulted in impressive revenue 
and earnings growth, and sustained 
momentum across its business. At the same 
time, we took further steps to evolve the 
Aaron’s Business, adding new management 
and taking aggressive action to manage 
costs, right-size the store base and generate 
profitable revenues.

Saying “Yes” to More 
Customers

Aaron’s best-in-class platform and focus on 
continuous innovation is enabling us to say 
“yes” to more customers, and we’re doing 
it with improved profitability. Thus, while 
2016 was challenging for the retail sector, 
Aaron’s:

•  Increased total customer count to over 

1.6 million.

•  Generated approximately 5% of the 
Aaron’s Business’ 2016 customer 
agreements through Aarons.com.

•  Executed on Progressive’s strong 

pipeline. A surge in new doors fueled the 
increase in Progressive’s invoice volume 
and revenues in 2016. New doors were 
added across all regions and product 
verticals, and that’s encouraging for 
future invoice and revenue growth.

•  Improved profitability through favor-
able lease portfolio performance at 
Progressive and expense control at the 
Aaron’s Business.

•  Strengthened the balance sheet. We 

ended 2016 with $309 million in cash 
and a net debt-to-capitalization ratio of 
9.6%, down from 30.0% at the end of 
2015.

To Our 
Shareholders

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

For over 60 years, Aaron’s has operated 
with a singular vision: Enrich customers’ 
lives by giving them access to quality prod-
ucts for their homes and families. In 2016, 
that vision led Aaron’s to say “yes” to over 
1.6 million customers. In recent years, we 
have worked hard to address the demands 
of a growing and dynamic marketplace. 
Our business offerings now span retail 
lease-to-own stores, e-commerce, virtual 
lease-to-own and second-look financing 
programs.

2015

2016

1.59

1.61

2014

1.47

2012

2013

1.10

1.10

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Customer Counts*

* Includes the Aaron’s Business, Progressive, and Dent-A-Med

 
•  Enhanced shareholder returns. 

We returned nearly $42 million to 
shareholders in 2016 through share 
repurchases and dividends. As of 
December 31, 2016, we had 9.1 
million shares remaining on our existing 
repurchase authorization and will 
continue to use excess capital to augment 
shareholder return.

Progressive’s Broad Appeal

Progressive achieved exceptional results 
in 2016, with revenues of $1.2 billion, 
pre-tax earnings of $105 million and an 
improvement in profit margin.

We’re excited about the large addressable 
market for virtual lease-to-own, and we 
believe Progressive has a unique ability to 
capitalize on the opportunity.

The business added a broad mix of 
profitable doors in 2016, with approxi-
mately 22,000 doors completing leases 
during the year. Investments in analytics 
and collections processes are supporting 
favorable lease performance, and the team 
has maintained a disciplined approach 
to pricing.

Dent-A-Med delivered results in line with 
expectations, achieving its growth and 
profitability targets for the year. Dent-A-Med 
is a strategic asset which fulfills a need 
expressed by retailers who wish to have 
all non-prime options available through 
one provider.

Improving the Aaron’s 
Business

The Aaron’s Business faced headwinds in 
2016. Store traffic was slower than in prior 
years, resulting in weaker than expected 
delivery volumes.

We accomplished a great deal to evolve 
the business, with initiatives to streamline 
the expense structure and improve 

operational execution. We sold HomeSmart 
and strengthened the management 
team, which now has a solid balance of 
lease-to-own executives and talent from 
outside the industry. We also continued 
to close and consolidate stores, working 
to right-size our footprint in many markets 
and we expect to significantly improve 
profitability as recurring revenue is added 
to nearby stores.

Our goal for 2017 is to build on our 
progress as we make investments in areas 
that we believe will generate profitable 
revenue in the future. We’re focused on 
customer-centric innovation, omnichannel 
expansion and further operating efficien-
cies in our stores. New leadership in 
merchandising, marketing and e-commerce 
is expected to help drive these initiatives.

One example is the launch of the Aaron’s 
Club program, which provides product 
protection benefits to customers, as well 
as discounted rates on products and 
services that our customers use every day. 
Consistent with our low-cost leadership 
positioning, we believe the program 
provides better value than those of 
our competitors.

We’re similarly excited about the potential 
for our omnichannel platform to drive profit-
able lease activity for the Aaron’s Business. 
Our goal is to attract, convert and service 
new customers, strengthen relationships 
with existing customers and re-engage with 
old customers.

Investing in the Communities 
We Serve

Of course, saying “yes” to more customers 
extends beyond lease agreements and 
operating results. Our sponsorship of the 
Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the 
Aaron’s Community Outreach Program 
(ACORP) are just two examples of our 

steadfast commitment to enrich customers’ 
lives by giving back to the communities we 
serve. Supported by our guiding principle, 
“Caring Starts with Respect,” the Aaron’s 
Gives initiatives are committed to improving 
the life prospects of at-risk youth and 
building stronger communities. In 2016, we 
gave $3.3 million in cash and high quality 
product donations, as well as hundreds of 
volunteer hours to make a positive impact 
in communities across the U.S.

As we look ahead, we are confident we 
have the talent, strategy, and capital to 
innovate and grow our business. We 
expect to continue to generate significant 
cash in 2017 and we intend to deploy 
capital to expand Progressive and make 
strategic investments to improve the Aaron’s 
Business. Over the long term, we’ll look 
to grow organically and through strategic 
acquisitions. To that end, we’re conserva-
tively capitalized, which provides ample 
financial flexibility to execute our strategic 
priorities. We look forward to updating you 
on our progress.
on our progress.

John W. Robinson III 
President and Chief Executive Officer

jewelry, mobile phones, appliance and auto wheel and tire. After 
acquiring Dent-A-Med in 2015, Progressive continues to leverage 
The HELPcard, Dent-A-Med’s best-in-class point-of-sale product to 
offer second-look financing programs for below-prime customers. 
Progressive’s combination of offerings benefits retail partners 
who see the advantage of having all non-prime options available 
through a single source.

Progressive Leasing

Progressive Leasing, a virtual lease-to-own business, provides 
lease-to-own solutions through thousands of retailer partners across 
the country. Progressive Leasing’s mission is to provide convenient 
access to simple and affordable purchase options for credit 
challenged customers. With over 18 years of experience helping 
thousands of retail stores, Progressive Leasing differentiates itself in 
the market through its application technology, decisioning systems, 
scale, depth of industry knowledge and its impassioned approach 
to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Progressive generated impressive growth during 2016, increasing 
revenues 18% to $1.2 billion and customer count 17% to 
598,000. Progressive’s unmanned virtual product provides 
instant decisioning, offering a “No Credit Needed” solution for 
many consumers who wouldn’t qualify for traditional financing. 
Progressive has demonstrated a successful track record 
of lease origination and performance 
across all of its industry verticals, 
including: furniture, 
bedding, electronics, 

Omnichannel Service Model

Aaron’s Stores

The hallmark of Aaron’s store business is 
a focus on helping people own without 
needing credit. Our stores provide a 
welcoming, neighborhood atmosphere to 
shop. Aaron’s store associates are ready 
to work with customers, month by month, 
to achieve ownership of top brand name 
furniture, electronics and appliances with 
flexible and affordable lease-to-own plan 
options tailored to the needs of low-income 
consumers. With no credit needed to 
qualify, the plans include same-as-cash 
options and free delivery and setup. 
Service and repair are provided throughout 
the life of the lease. Customers can return 
their merchandise at any time with lifetime 
reinstatement; they may simply pick up 
where they left off any time later with no 
late fees.

Aarons.com

We are the first national lease-to-own company to 
offer the ability to do business completely online. 
Aarons.com extends the reach of Aaron’s stores with 
a true omnichannel service model. Customers can 
shop, select their merchandise, qualify and initiate 
their lease-to-own plan on Aarons.com. Their local 
store arranges their delivery and setup and provides 
personal customer service to each online customer 
for the duration of their lease. Aarons.com has 
successfully attracted a new, younger customer 
to Aaron’s.

Woodhaven Industries

As our founder Charlie Loudermilk developed his 
original rent-to-rent business, he found it difficult to 
buy furniture that was durable enough to withstand 
the repeated cycle of customer delivery, warehouse 
returns and then customer delivery again. The 
only solution was to make his own furniture that 
met the high standards he demanded, which he 
accomplished through our Woodhaven Furniture 
Industries division.

Woodhaven also manufactures bedding — all 
designed and built in the USA. Woodhaven’s 
reputation for quality, on-time delivery and great 
pricing has grown along with Aaron’s and 
has fueled the development of new customers. 
Woodhaven now dedicates factory time to design 
and build for other major furniture retailers in 
addition to Aaron’s.

Aaron’s Gives

Aaron’s has a long legacy of giving back, 
a commitment that was started by founder 
Charlie Loudermilk and continues today 
through the Aaron’s Foundation and the 
Aaron’s Community Outreach Program. 
Our guiding principle, “Caring Starts 
with Respect,” shines brightly through the 
Aaron’s Foundation, which is committed 

to improving the life prospects of at-risk 
youth and building strong communities 
by investing in their future. In 2016, we 
gave $3.3 million to communities across 
the country.

Since we established a national partner-
ship in 2015 with Boys & Girls Clubs 

of America’s Keystone, a premier teen 
leadership development program, Aaron’s 
and Progressive associates have completed 
16 Keystone Teen Center Club makeovers 
across the country by installing new furni-
ture, painting and creating safe and fun 
environments where teens can study, plan 
community activities and learn leadership 
skills after school.

Aaron’s and Progressive also sponsor the 
Annual Keystone Conference, which brings 
together thousands of teens from around the 
world to show them how they can develop 
and enhance their leadership skills.

For more information about Aaron’s commit-
ment to strengthening the communities in 
which we operate, visit AaronsGives.com.

Aaron’s, Inc. associates surprised teens with a 
newly renovated Keystone Teen Center at the Boys 
& Girls Club of Pittsburgh’s Sarah Heinz House 
last October. (Ed Rieker/AP Images for Aaron’s, Inc.)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from 

 to 

Commission file Number. 1-13941

AARON’S, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

GEORGIA
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

400 Galleria Parkway SE, Suite 300
Atlanta, Georgia
(Address of principal executive offices)

58-0687630
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

30339-3194
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (678) 402-3000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Common Stock, $0.50 Par Value

Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 

    Yes  

    No  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. 

    Yes  

    No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), 
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  

    No  

(cid:20)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every 
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during 
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  

    No  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will 
not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part 
III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller 
reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 
of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer

Non-Accelerated Filer

Accelerated Filer

Smaller Reporting Company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes 

 No 

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2016 was $1,213,981,947 
based on the closing price on that date as reported by the New York Stock Exchange. Solely for the purpose of this calculation and for 
no other purpose, the non-affiliates of the registrant are assumed to be all shareholders of the registrant other than (i) directors of the 
registrant, (ii) executive officers of the registrant, and (iii) any shareholder that beneficially owns 10% or more of the registrant’s 
common shares.

As of February 22, 2017, there were 71,509,646 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, to be filed subsequently with 

the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, pursuant to Regulation 14A, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K.

(cid:21)

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER 
MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION 
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING 
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT AND CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM  12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND 
MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR 
INDEPENDENCE

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

SIGNATURES

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain oral and written statements made by Aaron’s, Inc. (the "Company") about future events and expectations, including 
statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. For those statements we claim the protection of the safe harbor provisions for 
forward-looking statements contained in such section. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts but are 
based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding our future economic performance, taking into 
account the information currently available to management. 

Generally, the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "would," and similar 
expressions identify forward-looking statements. All statements which address operating performance, events or developments 
that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including the anticipated impacts and outcomes of our strategic plan, with 
respect to improving our Aaron’s store profitability; accelerating our omnichannel platform; promoting communication, 
coordination and integration; converting our pipeline of potential customers for Progressive into Progressive retail partners; 
optimizing the economic return of our active lease portfolio; strengthening our relationships with Progressive’s and DAMI’s 
current retail partners; and championing compliance, as well as the expected impacts and outcomes of closing and 
consolidating certain of our Company-operated Aaron’s stores; initiatives to grow market share and statements expressing 
general optimism about future operating results, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to 
certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s historical experience and 
the Company’s present expectations or projections. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from any 
forward-looking statements include: (i) changes in the enforcement of existing laws and regulations and the adoption of new 
laws and regulations that may unfavorably impact our businesses; (ii) our strategic plan failing to deliver the benefits and 
outcomes we expect, with respect to improving our Aaron’s Business in particular; (iii) continuation of the economic 
challenges faced by portions of our traditional lease-to-own customer base; (iv) increased competition from traditional and 
virtual lease-to-own competitors, as well as from traditional and on-line retailers and other competitors; (v) financial challenges 
faced by our franchisees; and (vi) other factors discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We 
qualify any forward-looking statements entirely by these cautionary factors.

The above mentioned risk factors are not all-inclusive. Given these uncertainties and that such statements speak only as of the 
date made, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly 
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or 
otherwise.

4

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the 
"Company," "we," "us," "our" and similar expressions are references to Aaron’s, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

General Development of Business

Established in 1955 and incorporated in 1962 as a Georgia corporation, Aaron’s, Inc., is a leading omnichannel provider of 
lease-purchase solutions. Aaron’s engages in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of furniture, consumer 
electronics, home appliances and accessories through its more than 1,860 Company-operated and franchised stores in 47 states 
and Canada as well as its e-commerce platform, Aarons.com. Our stores carry well-known brands such as Samsung®, 
Frigidaire®, Hewlett-Packard®, LG®, Whirlpool®, Simmons®, Philips®, Ashley® and Magnavox®. 

On April 14, 2014, the Company acquired a 100% ownership interest in Progressive Finance Holdings, LLC ("Progressive"), a 
leading virtual lease-to-own company, providing lease-purchase solutions through approximately 22,000 retail locations in 46 
states.

On October 15, 2015, Progressive acquired a 100% ownership interest in Dent-A-Med, Inc., d/b/a the HELPcard® 
(collectively, "DAMI"), which provides a variety of "second-look" credit products that are originated through federally insured 
banks. Together with Progressive, DAMI allows the Company to provide retail and merchant partners one source for financing 
and leasing transactions with below-prime customers. The acquisition of DAMI is expected to drive long-term incremental 
revenue and earnings growth at Progressive, and DAMI will benefit from Progressive's proprietary technology, infrastructure 
and financial capacity. 

On May 13, 2016, the Company sold its 82 Company-operated HomeSmart stores (our weekly pay concept) and ceased 
operations of that segment.

As of December 31, 2016, we had 1,864 Aaron's stores, comprised of 1,165 Company-operated stores in 28 states, the District 
of Columbia and Canada, and 699 independently-owned franchised stores in 46 states and Canada. 

We own or have rights to various trademarks and trade names used in our business including Aaron’s, Aaron’s Sales & Lease 
Ownership, Progressive, Dent-A-Med, the HELPcard® and Woodhaven Furniture Industries. We intend to file for additional 
trade name and trademark protection when appropriate.

Business Environment and Company Outlook

Like many industries, the lease-to-own industry has been transformed by the internet and virtual marketplace. We believe the 
Progressive and DAMI acquisitions have been strategically transformational for the Company in this respect and will continue 
to strengthen our business as demonstrated by Progressive’s significant revenue and profit growth in 2016. We also believe the 
traditional lease-to-own industry has been negatively impacted in recent periods by: (i) the continuing economic challenges 
facing many traditional lease-to-own customers; (ii) increased competition from a wide range of competitors, including 
national, regional and local operators of lease-to-own stores; virtual lease-to-own companies; traditional and e-commerce 
retailers; and, indirectly, from various types of consumer finance companies that enable our customers to shop at traditional or 
online retailers; and (iii) the challenges faced by many traditional “brick-and-mortar” retailers, with respect to a decrease in the 
number of consumers visiting those stores, especially younger consumers. In response to these changing market conditions, we 
are executing a strategic plan that focuses on the following items and that we believe positions us for success over the long-
term:

• 

Improve Aaron's store profitability – We remain committed to increasing profits through improved marketing and 
customer acquisition strategies, improved collections and merchandise loss controls, optimization of product mix, 
increases in customer retention, inventory reduction, cost efficiency initiatives and closing underperforming Aaron's 
stores. In addition, our Aaron’s Business is investing in improving its analytical capabilities to optimize pricing, 
promotion, and product mix, which is expected to enhance margins and drive lease volume.  

•  Accelerate our omnichannel platform – We believe Aarons.com represents an opportunity to provide more options 
and shopping convenience in the lease-to-own industry. We are focused on engaging customers in ways that are 
convenient for them by providing them a seamless, direct-to-door platform through which to shop across our product 
offering.

• 

Strengthen relationships of Progressive and DAMI's current retail partners – Our Progressive and DAMI 
businesses have benefited from long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with our existing retailer base. Our ability 
to maintain these relationships and address the changing needs of these retailers is critical to the long-term growth 
strategy of our business.  

5

•  Focus on converting existing pipeline into Progressive retail partners – Our Progressive business segment is 

continuously focused on establishing new relationships with retailers and identifying solutions that address their 
business needs. We believe these new relationships are fundamental to continued revenue growth for Progressive. 

•  Champion compliance – Aaron’s, Inc. is a large and diverse company with thousands of daily transactions that are 

extensively regulated and subject to the requirements of various federal, state, and local laws and regulations. We 
continue to believe and set expectations that long-term success requires all associates to behave in an ethical manner 
and to comply with all laws and regulations governing our company’s behavior.  

Operating Segments

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had five operating segments: Sales and Lease Ownership, Progressive, DAMI, 
Franchise and Manufacturing. 

The results of DAMI and Progressive have been included in the Company’s consolidated results and presented as operating 
segments from their October 15, 2015 and April 14, 2014 acquisition dates, respectively. On May 13, 2016, the Company sold 
its HomeSmart operating segment, which included 82 stores.

Our Company-operated Aaron's stores and franchise operations are located in the United States and Canada. The operating 
results of our five reportable segments may be found in (i) Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
Condition and Results of Operations and (ii) Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 

Sales and Lease Ownership

Our Sales and Lease Ownership operation was established in 1987 and employs a monthly and semi-monthly payment model 
to provide durable household goods to lower to middle income consumers through our Aaron's stores. Its customer base is 
comprised primarily of customers with limited access to traditional credit sources such as bank financing, installment credit or 
credit cards. Customers of our Sales and Lease Ownership segment take advantage of our services to acquire consumer goods 
they might not otherwise be able to without incurring additional debt or long-term obligations.

We have developed a distinctive concept for our stores including specific merchandising, store layout, pricing and agreement 
terms all designed to appeal to our target consumer market. We believe these features create a store and a sales and lease 
ownership concept that is distinct from the operations of the lease-to-own industry generally and from consumer electronics 
and home furnishings retailers who finance merchandise.

The typical store layout is a combination showroom and warehouse generally comprising 6,000 to 10,000 square feet, with an 
average of approximately 8,000 square feet. In addition to inline space, we also lease and own free standing buildings in certain 
markets. We typically locate the stores close to retailers who have similar customer demographics.

Each store usually maintains at least two trucks for delivery, service and return of product. We generally offer same or next day 
delivery for addresses located within approximately ten miles of the store. Our stores provide a broad selection of brand name 
electronics, computers, appliances, bedding and furniture, including bedding and furniture manufactured by our Woodhaven 
Furniture Industries division.

Approximately 97% of our store lease agreements have monthly payment terms and the remaining 3% are semi-monthly. By 
comparison, weekly agreements are the industry standard. 

We may re-lease or sell merchandise that customers return to us prior to the expiration of their agreements. We may also offer 
up-front purchase options at prices we believe are competitive. 

Franchise

We franchise our Aaron's stores in markets where we have no immediate plans to enter. Our franchise program adds value to 
our Company by allowing us to (i) recognize additional revenues from franchise fees and royalties, (ii) strategically grow 
without incurring direct capital or other expenses, (iii) lower our average costs of purchasing, manufacturing and advertising 
through economies of scale and (iv) increase customer recognition of our brands.

Franchisees are approved on the basis of the applicant’s business background and financial resources. We enter into agreements 
with our franchisees to govern the opening and operations of franchised stores. Under our standard agreement, we receive a 
franchise fee from $15,000 to $50,000 per store depending upon market size. Our standard agreement is for a term of ten years, 
with one ten-year renewal option. Franchisees are also obligated to remit to us royalty payments of 5% or 6% of the weekly 
cash revenue collections from their stores. Most franchisees are involved in the day-to-day operations of their stores.

Because of the importance of location to our store strategy, we assist each franchisee in selecting the proper site for each store. 
We typically will visit the intended market and provide guidance to the franchisee through the site selection process. Once the 
franchisee selects a site, we provide support in designing the floor plan, including the proper layout of the showroom and 
warehouse. In addition, we assist the franchisee in the design and decor of the showroom to ensure consistency with our 

6

requirements. We also lease the exterior signage to the franchisee and provide support with respect to pre-opening advertising, 
initial inventory and delivery vehicles.

Qualifying franchisees may take part in a financing arrangement we have established with several financial institutions to assist 
the franchisee in establishing and operating their store(s). Although an inventory financing plan is the primary component of 
the financing program, we have also arranged, in certain circumstances, for the franchisee to receive a revolving credit line, 
allowing them to expand operations. We provide guarantees for amounts outstanding under this franchise financing program.

All franchisees are required to complete a comprehensive training program and to operate their franchised sales and lease 
ownership stores in compliance with our policies, standards and specifications. Additionally, each franchise is required to 
represent and warrant its compliance with all applicable federal, state and/or local laws, regulations and ordinances with respect 
to its business operations. Although franchisees are not generally required to purchase their lease merchandise from our 
fulfillment centers, many do so in order to take advantage of Company-sponsored financing, bulk purchasing discounts and 
favorable delivery terms.

Our internal audit department conducts annual financial reviews of each franchisee, as well as annual operational audits of each 
franchised store. In addition, our proprietary management information system links each Company and franchised store to our 
corporate headquarters.

Manufacturing

Woodhaven Furniture Industries, our manufacturing segment, was established by the Company in 1982, and we believe it 
makes us the largest lease-to-own company in the United States that manufactures its own furniture. Integrated manufacturing 
enables us to control critical features such as the quality, cost, delivery, styling, durability and quantity of our furniture 
products, and we believe this provides an integration advantage over our competitors. Substantially all produced items continue 
to be leased or sold through Aaron's stores, including franchised stores. 

Our Woodhaven Furniture Industries division produces upholstered living-room furniture (including contemporary sofas, chairs 
and modular sofa and ottoman collections in a variety of natural and synthetic fabrics) and bedding (including standard sizes of 
mattresses and box springs). The furniture designed and produced by this division incorporates features that we believe result in 
reduced production costs, enhanced durability and improved shipping processes all relative to furniture we would otherwise 
purchase from third parties. These features include (i) standardized components, (ii) reduced number of parts and features 
susceptible to wear or damage, (iii) more resilient foam, (iv) durable fabrics and sturdy frames which translate to longer life 
and higher residual value and (v) devices that allow sofas to stand on end for easier and more efficient transport. The segment 
also provides replacement covers for all styles and fabrics of its upholstered furniture, as well as other parts, for use in 
reconditioning leased furniture that has been returned.

The segment consists of five furniture manufacturing plants and nine bedding manufacturing facilities totaling approximately 
838,000 square feet of manufacturing capacity.

Progressive

Established in 1999 and acquired by the Company in 2014, Progressive is a leader in the expanding virtual lease-to-own 
market. Progressive partners with retailers, primarily in the furniture and bedding, mobile phones, consumer electronics, 
appliances and jewelry industries, to offer a lease-purchase option for customers to acquire goods they might not otherwise 
have been able to obtain. We serve customers who are credit challenged and are therefore unlikely to have access to traditional 
credit-based financing options. We offer a technology-based application and approval process that does not require Progressive 
employees to be staffed in a store. Once a customer is approved, Progressive purchases the merchandise from the retailer and 
enters into a lease-to-own agreement with the customer. The contract provides early-buyout options or ownership after a 
contractual number of payments. Progressive has retail partners in 46 states and operates under state-specific regulations in 
those states.

DAMI

Founded in 1983 and acquired by the Company in 2015, DAMI primarily serves customers that may not qualify for traditional 
prime lending who desire to purchase goods and services from participating merchants. DAMI, which operates as a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Progressive, offers customized programs, with services that include revolving loans, private label cards 
and access to a unique processing platform. DAMI’s current network of merchants includes medical markets, beds and fitness 
equipment. The Company believes the DAMI product offerings are complementary to those of Progressive and is expanding 
into the markets and merchants that DAMI serves. 

We extend or decline credit to an applicant through third party bank partners based upon the customer's credit rating. Our bank 
partners originate the loan by providing financing to the merchant at the point of sale and acquiring the receivable at a discount 
from the face value, which represents a pre-negotiated fee between DAMI and the merchant. DAMI then acquires the 
receivable from the bank. 

7

Qualifying customers receive a credit card to finance their initial purchase and to use in subsequent purchases at the merchant 
or other participating merchants for an initial two year period, which we will renew if the cardholder remains in good standing. 
The customer is required to make periodic minimum payments and pay certain annual and other periodic fees. 

Operations

Operating Strategy

Our operating strategy is based on distinguishing our brand from those of our competitors along with maximizing our 
operational efficiencies. We implement this strategy for our Aaron's store-based operations by (i) emphasizing the uniqueness 
of our sales and lease ownership concept from those in our industry generally; (ii) offering high levels of customer service; (iii) 
promoting our vendors' and Aaron’s brand names; (iv) managing merchandise through our manufacturing and distribution 
capabilities; and (v) utilizing proprietary management information systems. 

We believe that the success of our store-based operations is attributable to our distinctive approach to the business that 
distinguishes us from both our lease-to-own and credit retail competitors. We have pioneered innovative approaches to meeting 
changing customer needs that we believe differ from many of our competitors. These include (i) offering lease ownership 
agreements that result in a lower "all-in" price; (ii) maintaining larger and more attractive store showrooms; (iii) offering a 
wider selection of higher-quality merchandise; (iv) providing an up-front cash and carry purchase option on select merchandise 
at competitive prices; and (v) establishing an online platform that provides access to our product offering. 

Our Progressive and DAMI operating strategies are based on providing excellent service to our merchant partners and our 
customers, along with continued development of technology-based solutions. This allows us to increase our merchant partners' 
sales, drive demand for our service, and scale in an efficient manner. Specifically with Progressive, we believe our ability to 
service a retailer with limited labor costs allows us to maintain a cost of ownership for leased merchandise lower than that of 
other options available to our customers.

Aaron's Store-Based Operations

As of December 31, 2016, the Company has one President, one Chief Operations Officer and one senior vice president that 
provide executive leadership of the Sales and Lease Ownership segment. The segment has 11 divisional vice presidents and one 
Canadian director who are responsible for the overall performance of their respective divisions. Each division is subdivided 
into geographic groupings of stores overseen by a total of 22 Sales and Lease Ownership senior regional managers and 130 
regional managers, including three Canadian regional managers.

At the individual store level, the store manager is primarily responsible for managing and supervising all aspects of store 
operations, including (i) customer relations and account management, (ii) deliveries and pickups, (iii) warehouse and inventory 
management, (iv) partial merchandise selection, (v) employment decisions, including hiring, training and terminating store 
employees and (vi) certain marketing initiatives. Store managers also administer the processing of lease return merchandise 
including making determinations with respect to inspection, repairs, sales, reconditioning and subsequent leasing. 

Our business philosophy emphasizes safeguarding of Company assets, strict cost containment and financial controls. All 
personnel are expected to monitor expenses to contain costs. We pay all material invoices from Company headquarters in order 
to enhance financial accountability. We believe that careful monitoring of lease merchandise as well as operational expenses 
enables us to maintain financial stability and profitability.

We use management information systems to facilitate customer orders, collections, merchandise returns and inventory 
monitoring. Through the use of proprietary software, each of our stores is network linked directly to corporate headquarters 
enabling us to monitor single store performance on a daily basis. This network system assists the store manager in (i) tracking 
merchandise on the showroom floor and warehouse, (ii) minimizing delivery times, (iii) assisting with product purchasing and 
(iv) matching customer needs with available inventory.

Lease Agreement Approval, Renewal and Collection 

One of the factors in the success of our store-based operations is timely cash collections, which are monitored by store 
managers. Customers are contacted within a few days after their lease payment due dates to encourage them to keep their 
agreement current. Careful attention to cash collections is particularly important in sales and lease ownership operations, where 
the customer typically has the option to cancel the agreement at any time and each contractually due payment is generally 
considered a renewal of the agreement.

We generally perform no formal credit check with third party service providers with respect to our store customers. We do, 
however, verify employment or other reliable sources of income and personal references supplied by the customer. Generally 
our agreements for merchandise require payments in advance and the merchandise normally is recovered if a payment is 
significantly in arrears. We currently do not extend credit to our customers at our stores.

8

Our Progressive business uses a proprietary decisioning algorithm to determine which customers would meet our leasing 
qualifications. The transaction is completed through our online portal or through a point of sale integration with our retail 
partners. Contractual payments are based on a customer’s pay frequency and are typically originated through automated 
clearing house payments. If the payment is unsuccessful, collections are managed in-house through our call center, customer 
service hubs and proprietary lease management system. The call center contacts customers within a few days after the due date 
to encourage them to keep their agreement current. If the customer chooses to return the merchandise, arrangements are made 
to receive the merchandise from the customer, either through our retail partners, our Draper, Utah location, our customer 
service hubs or our Aaron's operated stores.

The provision for lease merchandise write-offs as a percentage of consolidated lease revenues were 4.8%, 5.1% and 4.5% in 
2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We believe that our collection and recovery policies materially comply with applicable law 
and we discipline any employee we determine to have deviated from such policies.

Credit Agreement Approval and Collection

DAMI partners with merchants to provide a variety of revolving credit products originated through two third-party federally 
insured banks to customers that may not qualify for traditional prime lending (called "second-look" financing programs).We 
believe DAMI provides the following strategic benefits when combined with Progressive's product offerings:

•  Enhanced product for retail partners - DAMI enhances Progressive's best-in-class point-of-sale product with an 

integrated solution for below-prime customers. DAMI has a centralized, scalable decisioning model with a long 
operating history, deployed through its established bank partners, and a sophisticated receivable management system. 

•  Higher consumer credit quality - DAMI primarily serves customers with FICO scores between 600 and 700, which 
make up approximately a quarter of the U.S. population. These customers generally have greater purchasing power 
with stronger credit profiles than Progressive's current customers. 

•  Expanded customer base - In addition to complementing Progressive's traditional offering for existing and 

prospective retail partners, DAMI's strong relationships with merchant partners that provide customer services offer an 
additional channel for longer-term growth.

DAMI uses an underwriting model that provides standardized credit decisions, including borrowing limit amounts. Credit 
decisions are primarily based on the customer’s credit rating and ability-to-pay ratio. Customer credit terms are based on the 
underlying agreement between DAMI and the merchant. Loans receivable are unsecured, and collections on loans receivable 
are managed in-house through DAMI's call center and proprietary loans receivable management system. 

Customer Service

A critical component of the success in our operations is our commitment to developing good relationships with our customers. 
Building a relationship with the customer that ensures customer satisfaction is critical because customers of store-based 
operations and Progressive have the option of returning the leased merchandise at any time. Our goal, therefore, is to develop 
positive associations about the Company and our products, service, and support in the minds of our customers from the moment 
they enter our showrooms and the showrooms of our retail partners. We demonstrate our commitment to superior customer 
service by providing customers with access to product through multiple channels, including Aarons.com and Progressive's 
network of retail partner locations, rapid delivery of leased merchandise (often on same or next day delivery) and investments 
in technology that improve the customer experience. Our Progressive business offers centralized customer and retailer support 
through contact centers located in Draper, Utah and Glendale, Arizona.

Aaron’s customers receive multiple complimentary service benefits. These benefits vary according to applicable state law but 
generally include a same-as-cash option, merchandise repair service, lifetime reinstatement and other discounts and benefits. In 
order to increase leasing at existing stores, we foster relationships with existing customers to attract recurring business, and 
many new agreements are attributable to repeat customers. Similarly, we believe our strong focus on customer satisfaction at 
Progressive and DAMI generates repeat business and long-lasting relationships with our retail and merchant partners.

Our emphasis on customer service requires that we develop skilled, effective employees who value our customers and project a 
genuine desire to serve their needs. To meet this requirement, we have created and implemented a very comprehensive 
associate development program. The associate development program focuses on and meets the needs of both new and tenured 
associates. 

9

Our associate development program is designed to provide a uniform and unbeatable customer service experience. The primary 
focus of the associate development program is to equip all associates, regardless of tenure or current skill level with the 
knowledge and skills needed to build strong relationships with our customers. Our learning and development coaches provide 
live, interactive instruction via webinars and conduct daily training that streams via in-store video to each new hire and tenured 
associate. The program is complemented with a robust, dynamic e-learning library. Additionally, Aaron’s has a management 
development program that offers development for current and future store managers and a highly successful leadership 
development program for our multi-unit managers. Also, we produce and post weekly video-based communications regarding 
important Company initiatives on our intranet site.

During 2015, the Company announced the launch of Approve.Me, which is a proprietary platform that integrates with third 
party retailers' point-of-sale systems and provides a single interface for all Progressive and DAMI customers seeking credit 
approval or lease options, from prime to second-look financing, or to Progressive's lease offering. The platform combines 
multiple credit and leasing providers into one application using a single interface. Approve.Me is compatible with most primary 
or secondary providers and is designed to give retailers a faster and more efficient way to service customers seeking to finance 
transactions or secure a lease option.

Purchasing and Retail Relationships

For our Aaron's store-based operations, our merchandise product mix is determined by executive leadership in consultation 
with regional managers, divisional vice presidents and our merchandising department based on an analysis of customer 
demands. The following table shows the percentage of our Aaron's business revenues attributable to different merchandise 
categories: 

Merchandise Category
Furniture
Electronics
Appliances
Computers
Other

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

42%
26%
24%
6%
2%

42%
25%
24%
7%
2%

39%
26%
24%
9%
2%

One of our largest suppliers is our own Woodhaven Furniture Industries segment, which supplies the majority of the 
upholstered furniture and bedding we lease or sell. Integrated manufacturing enables us to control the quality, cost, delivery, 
styling, durability and quantity of a substantial portion of our furniture and bedding merchandise and provides us with a reliable 
source of products. We purchase the remaining merchandise directly from manufacturers and local distributors and are 
generally able to obtain bulk discounts that provide us with cost advantages. To a lesser extent, we also may sell or re-lease 
certain merchandise returned by our Progressive customers.  We have no long-term agreements for the purchase of 
merchandise.

The following table shows the percentage of Progressive’s revenues attributable to different retail partner categories:

Retail Partner Category
Furniture
Mattress
Automobile electronics and accessories
Mobile
Jewelry
Other

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

57%
19%
12%
5%
4%
3%

53%
20%
12%
8%
4%
3%

44%
24%
13%
12%
4%
3%

During 2016, two retail partners each provided greater than 10% of the lease merchandise acquired by Progressive and 
subsequently leased to customers.

10

The following table shows the percentage of DAMI’s revenues attributable to different merchant partner categories:

Merchant Partner Category
Medical
Retail
Furniture
Other

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

48%
20%
22%
10%

53%
22%
14%
11%

Distribution for Aaron's Store-based Operations

The Aaron's store-based operations utilize our 16 fulfillment centers to control merchandise. These centers average 
approximately 124,000 square feet, giving us approximately 2.0 million square feet of logistical capacity. 

We believe that our network of fulfillment centers provides us with a strategic advantage over our competitors. Our distribution 
system allows us to deliver merchandise promptly to our stores in order to quickly meet customer demand and effectively 
manage inventory levels. Most of our continental U.S. stores are within a 250-mile radius of a fulfillment center, facilitating 
timely shipment of products to the stores and fast delivery of orders to customers. 

We realize freight savings from bulk discounts and more efficient distribution of merchandise by using fulfillment centers. We 
use our own tractor-trailers, local delivery trucks and various contract carriers to make weekly deliveries to individual stores. 

Marketing and Advertising

Our marketing for store-based operations targets both current Aaron’s customers and potential customers. We feature brand 
name products available through our no-credit-needed lease ownership plans. We reach our customer demographics by utilizing 
national and local television and radio with a combination of brand/image messaging and product/price promotions. In 
addition, we have enhanced our broadcast presence with digital marketing and via social environments such as Facebook and 
Twitter.

We target new and current customers each month distributing over 27 million, four-page circulars to homes in the United States 
and Canada. The circulars advertise brand name merchandise along with the features, options, and benefits of Aaron’s no-
credit-needed lease ownership plans. We also distribute millions of email and direct mail promotions on an annual basis.

Aaron’s, Inc. sponsors events at various levels along with select professional and collegiate sports, such as NFL, MLB, 
NASCAR and NBA teams. All of the Company's sports partnerships are supported with advertising, promotional, marketing 
and brand activation initiatives that we believe significantly enhance the Company’s brand awareness and customer loyalty.

Progressive and DAMI execute their marketing strategy in partnership with retailers and other merchants. This is typically 
accomplished through in-store signage and marketing material, direct marketing activities, and the education of sales 
associates.

Competition

The lease-to-own industry is highly competitive. Our largest competitor for store-based operations is Rent-A-Center, Inc. 
("Rent-A-Center"). Aaron’s and Rent-A-Center, which are the two largest lease-to-own industry participants, account for 
approximately 4,700 of the 9,200 lease-to-own stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Our Aaron's stores compete 
with other national, regional and local operators of lease-to-own stores, virtual lease-to-own companies, traditional and e-
commerce retailers (including many that offer layaway programs) and, indirectly, various types of consumer finance companies 
that may enable our customers to shop at traditional or on-line retailers, as well as with rental stores that do not offer their 
customers a purchase option. We also compete with retail stores for customers desiring to purchase merchandise for cash or on 
credit. Competition is based primarily on product selection and availability, customer service and lease rates, store location and 
terms.

Although an emerging market, the virtual lease-to-own industry is also competitive. Progressive's largest competitor is 
Acceptance Now, a division of Rent-A-Center. Other competition is fragmented and includes regional participants.

Working Capital

We are required to maintain significant levels of lease merchandise in order to provide the service demanded by our customers 
and to ensure timely delivery of our products. Consistent and dependable sources of liquidity are required to maintain such 
merchandise levels. Failure to maintain appropriate levels of merchandise could materially adversely affect our customer 
relationships and our business. We believe our cash on hand, operating cash flows, credit availability under our financing 
agreements and other sources of financing are adequate to meet our normal liquidity requirements. 

11

Raw Materials

The principal raw materials we use in furniture manufacturing are fabric, foam, fiber, wire-innerspring assemblies, plywood, 
oriented strand board and hardwood. All of these materials are purchased in the open market from unaffiliated sources. We are 
not dependent on any single supplier. None of the raw materials we use are in short supply.

Seasonality

Our revenue mix is moderately seasonal for both our Aaron's store-based operations and our Progressive business. The first 
quarter of each year generally has higher revenues than any other quarter. This is primarily due to realizing the full benefit of 
business that historically gradually increases in the fourth quarter as a result of the holiday season, as well as the receipt by our 
customers in the first quarter of federal and state income tax refunds. Our customers will more frequently exercise the early 
purchase option on their existing lease agreements or purchase merchandise off the showroom floor during the first quarter of 
the year. We expect these trends to continue in future periods. 

Industry Overview

The Lease-to-Own Industry

The lease-to-own industry offers customers an alternative to traditional methods of obtaining home furnishings, electronics, 
appliances and computers. In a standard industry lease-to-own transaction, the customer has the option to acquire ownership of 
merchandise over a fixed term, usually 12 to 24 months, normally by making weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly lease 
payments. Upon making regular periodic lease payments, the customer may cancel the agreement at any time by returning the 
merchandise to the store. If the customer leases the item through the completion of the full term, he or she then obtains 
ownership of the item. The customer may also purchase the item at any time by tendering the contractually specified payment.

The lease-to-own model is particularly attractive to customers who are unable to pay the full upfront purchase price for 
merchandise or who lack the credit to qualify for conventional financing programs. Other individuals who find the lease-to-
own model attractive are customers who, despite access to credit, do not wish to incur additional debt, have only a temporary 
need for the merchandise or desire to field test a particular brand or model before purchasing it.

Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership versus Traditional Lease-to-Own

We blend elements of lease-to-own and traditional retailing by providing customers with the option to either lease merchandise 
with the opportunity to obtain ownership or to purchase merchandise outright. We believe our sales and lease ownership 
program is a more effective method of retailing our merchandise to lower and middle income customers than a typical lease-to-
own business or the traditional method of credit installment sales. 

Our model is distinctive from the conventional lease-to-own model in that we encourage our customers to obtain ownership of 
their leased merchandise. Based upon our own data and industry data, our customers obtain ownership more often 
(approximately 45%) than in the lease-to-own businesses in general (approximately 25%). 

We believe our sales and lease ownership model offers the following distinguishing characteristics when compared to 
traditional lease-to-own stores:

•  Lower total cost - Our agreement terms generally provide a lower cost of ownership to the customer.

•  Wider merchandise selection - We generally offer a larger selection of higher-quality merchandise.

•  Larger store layout - Aaron's stores average 8,000 square feet, which is significantly larger than the average size of 

our largest competitor’s lease-to-own stores.

•  Fewer payments - Our typical plan offers semi-monthly or monthly payments versus the industry standard of weekly 

payments. 

•  Flexible payment methods - We offer our customers the opportunity to pay by cash, check, ACH, debit card or credit 
card. Our Aaron’s stores currently receive approximately 68% of their payment volume (in dollars) from customers by 
check, debit card or credit card.

We believe our sales and lease ownership model also compares well against traditional retailers in areas such as merchandise 
selection and the latest product offerings. As technology advances and home furnishings and appliances evolve, we expect to 
continue offering our customers the latest product at affordable prices.

12

Unlike transactions with traditional retailers, in which the customer is committed to purchasing the merchandise, our sales and 
lease ownership transactions are not credit installment contracts. Therefore, the customer may elect to terminate the transaction 
after a short, initial lease period. Our stores offer an up-front "cash and carry" purchase option and generally a same-as-cash 
option on most merchandise at prices that we believe are competitive with traditional retailers. In addition, our Progressive 
business provides a 90-day buy-out option on lease-purchase solutions offered through traditional retailers.

Government Regulation

Our operations are extensively regulated by and subject to the requirements of various federal, state and local laws and 
regulations, and are subject to oversight by various government agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), 
for example, which may exercise oversight of the advertising and other business practices of our Company-operated and 
franchised stores. In general, such laws regulate applications for leases, pricing, late charges and other fees, the form of 
disclosure statements, the substance and sequence of required disclosures, the content of advertising materials and certain 
collection procedures. Violations of certain provisions of these laws may result in material penalties. We are unable to predict 
the nature or effect on our operations or earnings of unknown future legislation, regulations and judicial decisions or future 
interpretations of existing and future legislation or regulations relating to our operations, and there can be no assurance that 
future laws, decisions or interpretations will not have a material adverse effect on our operations or earnings.

A summary of certain of the laws under which we operate follows. This summary does not purport to be a complete summary 
of the laws referred to below or of all the laws regulating our operations.

Currently, nearly every state, the District of Columbia, and most provinces in Canada specifically regulate lease-to-own 
transactions via state or provincial statutes. This includes states in which we currently operate Sales and Lease Ownership 
stores, as well as states in which our Progressive business has retail partners. Most state lease purchase laws require lease-to-
own companies to disclose to their customers the total number of payments, total amount and timing of all payments to acquire 
ownership of any item, any other charges that may be imposed and miscellaneous other items. The more restrictive state lease 
purchase laws limit the total amount that a customer may be charged for an item, or regulate the "cost-of-rental" amount that 
lease-to-own companies may charge on lease-to-own transactions, generally defining "cost-of-rental" as lease fees paid in 
excess of the "retail" price of the goods. Our long-established policy in all states is to disclose the terms of our lease purchase 
transactions as a matter of good business ethics and customer service. We believe we are in material compliance with the 
various state lease purchase laws. At the present time, no federal law specifically regulates the lease-to-own transaction. 
Federal legislation to regulate the transaction has been proposed from time to time. In addition, certain elements of the business 
including matters such as collections activity, customer contact and credit reporting may be subject to federal laws and 
regulation. 

There has been increased legislative and regulatory attention in the United States, at both the federal and state levels, on  
financial services products offered to near-prime and subprime consumers in general, which may result in an increase in 
legislative regulatory efforts directed at the lease-to-own industry. We cannot predict whether any such legislation or 
regulations will be enacted and what the impact would be on us, nor can we predict whether any state attorneys general or 
federal regulatory agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") will direct any initiatives toward our 
industry. 

Our sales and lease ownership franchise program is subject to FTC oversight and various state laws regulating the offer and 
sale of franchises. Several state laws also regulate substantive aspects of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. The FTC 
requires us to furnish to prospective franchisees a Franchise Disclosure Document ("FDD") containing prescribed information. 
A number of states in which we might consider franchising also regulate the sale of franchises and require registration of the 
franchise disclosure document with state authorities. We believe we are in material compliance with all applicable franchise 
laws in those states in which we do business and with similar laws in Canada.

DAMI is subject to various federal and state laws that address lending regulations, consumer information, consumer rights, and 
certain credit card specific requirements, among other things. In addition, DAMI issues credit cards through third party bank 
partners and therefore is subject to those banks' Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulators. Several regulations affecting 
DAMI have been updated in recent years through The Credit Card Act and The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act). Additional regulations are being developed, as the attention placed on consumer debt 
transactions has grown significantly. We believe we are in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. While 
we are unable to predict the results of any regulatory initiatives, we do not believe that existing and currently proposed 
regulations will have a material adverse impact on our operations. Although we are unable to predict the results of any 
regulatory initiatives, we do not believe that existing and currently proposed regulations will have a material adverse impact on 
our sales and lease ownership or other operations.

13

Supply Chain Diligence and Transparency

Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act was adopted to further the humanitarian goal of ending the violent conflict and human 
rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjoining countries ("DRC"). This conflict has been partially 
financed by the exploitation and trade of tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold, often referred to as conflict minerals, which originate 
from mines or smelters in the region. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank 
Act require reporting companies to disclose annually, among other things, whether any such minerals that are necessary to the 
functionality or production of products they manufactured during the prior calendar year originated in the DRC and, if so, 
whether the related revenues were used to support the conflict and/or abuses. 

Some of the products manufactured by Woodhaven Furniture Industries, our manufacturing division, may contain tantalum, tin, 
tungsten and/or gold. Consequently, in compliance with SEC rules, we have adopted a policy on conflict minerals, which can 
be found on our website at investor.aarons.com. We have also implemented a supply chain due diligence and risk mitigation 
process with reference to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or the OECD, guidance approved by 
the SEC to assess and report annually whether our products are conflict free.

We expect our suppliers to comply with the OECD guidance and industry standards and to ensure that their supply chains 
conform to our policy and the OECD guidance. We plan to mitigate identified risks by working with our suppliers and may 
alter our sources of supply or modify our product design if circumstances require.

Employees

At December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately 11,500 employees. None of our employees are covered by a collective 
bargaining agreement and we believe that our relations with employees are good.

Available Information

We make available free of charge on our Internet website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, 
Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports and the Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders. Our Internet address is investor.aarons.com.

14

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company's business is subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Any of the following risk factors could cause our actual 
results to differ materially from historical or anticipated results. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones we face, but 
represent the risks that we believe are material. However, there may be additional risks that we currently consider not to be 
material or of which we are not currently aware, and any of these risks could cause our actual results to differ materially from 
historical or anticipated results.

We are subject to various existing federal and state laws and regulations which may require us to incur significant 
compliance costs and expenses associated with government investigations, enforcement actions and private litigation, 
and we may be subject to new or additional federal and state financial services and consumer protection laws and 
regulations (or changes in interpretations of existing laws and regulations) that could expose us to government 
investigations, significant compliance costs or burdens or force us to change our business practices in a manner that 
may be materially adverse to our operations, prospects or financial condition.

Currently, nearly every state, the District of Columbia, and most provinces in Canada specifically regulate lease-to-own 
transactions. This includes states in which we currently operate Aaron's stores, as well as states in which our Progressive 
business has retail partners. Furthermore, certain aspects of our business, such as our debt collection, customer contact and 
credit reporting practices are subject to federal and state laws and regulations. Many of these laws and regulations are evolving, 
unclear and inconsistent across various jurisdictions, and ensuring compliance with them is difficult and costly. We have 
incurred and will continue to incur substantial costs to comply with these laws and regulations. In addition to compliance costs, 
we may incur substantial expenses to respond to government investigations and enforcement actions, proposed fines and 
penalties, criminal or civil sanctions, and private litigation, arising out of alleged violations of existing laws and/or regulations. 
In addition, existing laws and regulations have and will continue to, and future laws and regulations may, place limitations and 
restrictions on how we conduct our businesses. While no federal law currently specifically regulates the lease-to-own industry, 
federal legislation to regulate the industry has been proposed in the past and may be proposed in the future. For example, 
federal and regulatory authorities such as the CFPB and the FTC are increasingly focused on the subprime financial 
marketplace in which the lease-to-own industry operates, and may propose and adopt new legislation (or interpret existing 
regulations) that could result in significant adverse changes in the regulatory landscape for businesses such as ours. In addition, 
our manufacturing and distribution facilities are subject to various regulations as set forth by the Environmental Protection 
Agency ("EPA"), Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") and Department of Transportation ("DOT"). 
Furthermore, with increasing frequency, federal and state regulators are holding businesses like ours to higher standards of 
training, monitoring and compliance. Failure by us or those businesses to comply with the laws and regulations to which we are 
or may become subject could result in fines, penalties or limitations on our ability to conduct our business, or federal or state 
actions, or private litigation, any of which could significantly harm our reputation with consumers and Progressive’s and 
DAMI’s retail and merchant partners and could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects and financial condition.

The risks in Progressive’s virtual lease-to-own business differ in some potentially significant respects from the risks of Aaron’s 
store-based lease-to-own business. These risks, whether arising from the offer by third party retailers of Progressive’s lease-
purchase solution alongside traditional cash, check or credit payment options or otherwise, may also be materially adverse to 
our operations, prospects or financial condition. Furthermore, Progressive’s business relies on third party retailers (over whom 
Progressive cannot exercise the degree of control and oversight that Aaron’s and its franchisees can assert over their own 
respective employees) for many important business functions, from advertising through assistance with lease transaction 
applications, including, for example, explaining the nature of the lease-to-own transaction when asked to do so by the customer, 
and that the transaction is with Progressive and not with the third-party retailer. There is the potential that regulators may target 
virtual lease-to-own transactions and/or implement new legislation (or interpret existing regulations) that could negatively 
impact Progressive’s ability to offer virtual lease-to-own programs through third party retail partners.  Moreover, many of the 
laws and regulations that apply to the lease-to-own industry were adopted before e-commerce or virtual lease-to-own 
businesses existed, and thus, may not be appropriate to address the unique characteristics of those more modern lease-to-own 
business models.  Thus, there is the potential that regulators may attempt to force the application of laws and regulations that 
may be incongruous and outdated in some respects on Progressive's virtual lease-to-own business in inconsistent and 
unpredictable ways that could increase the compliance-related costs incurred by Progressive, and negatively impact 
Progressive's financial and operational performance.   

In addition, as we execute on our strategic plans, we may continue to expand into complementary businesses, such as DAMI, 
that engage in financial, banking or lending services that are subject to a variety of statutes and regulatory requirements in 
addition to those regulations currently applicable to our legacy operations, which may impose significant costs, limitations or 
prohibitions on the manner in which we currently conduct our businesses as well as those we may acquire in the future. Any 
additional laws or regulations may result in changes in the way our operations are regulated, exposing us to increased 
regulatory oversight, more burdensome regulations and increased litigation risk, each of which could have a material adverse 
effect on us.

15

Any proposed rulemaking or enforcement action by the CFPB, the FTC or any other federal or state regulators or other adverse 
changes in (or interpretations of) existing laws and regulations, the passage of new adverse legislation or regulations by the 
federal government or the states applicable to our traditional lease-to-own business, our Progressive virtual lease-to-own 
business, our Aarons.com e-commerce business and any complementary businesses into which we may expand could 
materially increase both our compliance costs and the risk that we could be subject to government investigations and subject to 
sanctions if we are not in compliance. In addition, new burdensome laws or regulations could force us to modify our business 
model, expose us to increased litigation risk, and might reduce the economic potential of our sales and lease ownership 
operations.

Progressive’s virtual lease-to-own business differs in some potentially significant respects from the risks of Aaron’s 
store-based lease-to-own business. The risks could have a material negative effect on Progressive, which could result in a 
material adverse effect on our entire business.

As discussed above, our Progressive segment offers its lease-to-own solution through the stores of third party retailers. 
Progressive consequently faces some different risks than are associated with Aaron’s sales and lease ownership concept, which 
Aaron’s and its franchisees offer through their own stores. These potential risks include, among others, Progressive’s:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

reliance on third party retailers (over whom Progressive cannot exercise the degree of control and oversight that 
Aaron’s and its franchisees can assert over their own respective employees) for many important business functions, 
from advertising through assistance with lease transaction applications, including, for example, explaining the nature 
of the lease-to-own transaction when asked to do so by the customer, and that the transaction is with Progressive and 
not with the third-party retailer;  

revenue concentration in the customers of a relatively small number of retailers, as further discussed below;

lack of control over, and more product diversity within, its lease merchandise inventory relative to Aaron’s business, 
which can complicate matters such as merchandise repair and disposition of merchandise that is returned;

possibly different regulatory risks than apply to Aaron’s business, whether arising from the offer by third party 
retailers of Progressive’s lease-purchase solution alongside traditional cash, check or credit payment options or 
otherwise, including the risk that regulators may mistakenly treat virtual lease-to-own transactions as some other type 
of transaction that would face different and more burdensome and complex regulations;

reliance on automatic bank account drafts for lease payments, which may become disfavored as a payment method for 
these transactions by regulators;

potential that regulators may target the virtual lease-to-own transaction and/or adopt new regulations or legislation (or 
existing laws and regulations may be interpreted in a manner) that negatively impact Progressive’s ability to offer 
virtual lease-to-own programs through third party retail partners; 

potential that regulators may attempt to force the application of laws and regulations on Progressive's virtual lease-to-
own business in inconsistent and unpredictable ways that could increase the compliance-related costs incurred by 
Progressive, and negatively impact Progressive's financial and operational performance; and

indemnification obligations to Progressive’s retail partners and their service providers for losses stemming from 
Progressive’s failure to perform with respect to its products and services.

These risks could have a material negative effect on Progressive, which could result in a material adverse effect on our entire 
business.

We continue to implement a strategic plan and there is no guarantee that the strategic plan will produce results superior 
to those achieved under the Company’s prior plan. 

Our current strategic plan that includes focusing on improving Aaron's store profitability; accelerating our omnichannel 
platform; promoting communication, coordination and integration; and championing compliance.

As part of our efforts to improve the profitability of our Aaron's stores, we recently have focused on identifying and closing 
underperforming stores and consolidating the customers of those stores into existing, higher performing stores, as opposed to 
opening new stores, which had traditionally been a central tenet of the Company’s strategy. There can be no guarantee that our 
current strategy, including our recent focus on identifying and closing underperforming stores, will yield the results we 
currently anticipate (or results that will exceed those that might be obtained under prior or other strategies), if we fail to 
successfully execute on one or more elements of our current strategy, even if we successfully implement one or more other 
components. For example, as part of our efforts to reduce costs and improve profitability, we closed 61 underperforming 
Company-operated Aaron's stores in the fourth quarter of 2016, and plan to close approximately 70 more locations in the 
second quarter of 2017. We may not be successful in transitioning the customers of the Company-operated Aaron's stores that 
are closed to other Company-operated stores that remain open, and thus, could experience a reduction in revenue and profits 

16

associated with such a loss of customers.  In addition, the estimated costs and charges associated with these initiatives may vary 
materially and adversely based upon various factors, including the timing of execution, the outcome of negotiations with 
landlords and other third parties, or unexpected costs, any of which could result in our not realizing the anticipated benefits 
from our strategic plan.
We may not fully execute on one or more elements of our current strategy due to any number of reasons, including, for 
instance, because of the division of management, financial and Company resources among multiple objectives, or other factors 
beyond or not completely within our control. The successful execution of our current strategy depends on, among other things, 
our ability to:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

improve same store revenues and profitability in stores that may be maturing;

drive recurring cost savings to recapture margin;

identify and close underperforming stores, and transition the customers of those stores to other stores that remain 
open;

strengthen our franchise network; and

successfully manage and grow our Aarons.com e-commerce platform.

If we cannot address these challenges successfully, or overcome other critical obstacles that may emerge as we continue to 
pursue our current strategy, we may not be able to achieve our revenue or profitability goals at the rates we currently 
contemplate, if at all.

Our Aaron's business faces many challenges which could materially and adversely affect our overall results of 
operations.

Our traditional lease-to-own store-based ("Aaron's") business faces a number of challenges, particularly from the continued 
expansion of digital retail, which includes a wide array of e-commerce retailers that have established far larger digital 
operations than our Aarons.com e-commerce platform has been able to achieve to date. Increasing competition from the digital 
sector, as well as more competitive pricing offered by traditional retailers, may reduce the market share held by our Aaron's 
business as well as its operating margins, and may materially and adversely affect our overall results of operations. 
Furthermore, as our Progressive virtual lease-to-own solution continues to partner with traditional retailers, including possibly 
"big box" retailers, those retailers may increasingly compete with our Aaron's business, including our franchisees. In addition, 
we believe a portion of our Aaron's business customer base continues to experience significant economic challenges, including 
stagnant or decreasing incomes in certain areas, such as those where the oil and gas industries have experienced economic 
headwinds, and those challenges may result in those customers of our Aaron's business curtailing entering into sales and lease 
ownership agreements for the types of merchandise we offer, or entering into agreements that generate less revenue for us, 
resulting in lower same store sales, revenue and profits. For example, our Company-operated stores experienced same store 
revenue declines of 3.4% and 4.1% in fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively. Additionally, our franchised stores experienced 
same store revenue declines of 2.2% and 0.9% in fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively. We calculate same store revenue 
growth by comparing revenues for comparable periods for stores open during the entirety of those periods. A number of factors 
have historically affected our same store revenues for our Aaron's business, including:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

changes in competition, particularly from the digital sector;

general economic conditions;

economic challenges faced by our customer base;

new product introductions;

consumer trends; 

changes in our merchandise mix;

timing of promotional events; and

our ability to execute our business strategy effectively.

If our Aaron's business is unable to successfully address these challenges, our overall business and results of operations may be 
materially and adversely affected as well.

17

Continuation or worsening of current economic conditions faced by a portion of our Aaron's business's customer base 
could result in decreased revenues, same store sales and profitability and increased costs. The geographic concentration 
of our Aaron's stores, as well as those of Progressive’s retail partners, may magnify the impact of conditions in a 
particular region, including economic downturns and other occurrences.

Much of our Aaron's business customer base continues to experience prolonged economic uncertainty and, in certain areas, 
unfavorable economic conditions. We believe that the extended duration of that economic uncertainty and unfavorable 
economic conditions, may be resulting in our customers curtailing entering into sales and lease ownership agreements for the 
types of merchandise we offer, or entering into agreements that generate smaller amounts of revenue for us, resulting in 
decreased same store sales and revenues for our Aaron's business. Any increases in unemployment or underemployment within 
our customer base may result in increased defaults on lease payments, resulting in increased merchandise return costs and 
merchandise losses. 

The concentration of our Aaron's stores, and/or those of our retail partners at Progressive, in one region or a limited number of 
markets may expose us to risks of adverse economic developments that are greater than if our store portfolio and retail partners 
were more geographically diverse. For example, during 2016, 17.9% of our Aaron's business store-based revenues were 
generated in Texas. Given our concentration of stores in Texas, the downturn and prolonged uncertainty in the oil and gas 
industry could have a material adverse effect on our overall business. 

In addition, our store operations, as well as those of our retail partners at Progressive, are subject to the effects of adverse acts 
of nature, such as winter storms, hurricanes, hail storms, strong winds, earthquakes and tornadoes, which have in the past 
caused damage such as flooding and other damage to our stores and those of our retail partners in specific geographic locations. 
Additionally, we cannot assure you that the amount of our hurricane, windstorm, earthquake, flood, business interruption or 
other casualty insurance we maintain from time to time would entirely cover damages caused by any such event.

We could lose our access to data sources, which could cause us competitive harm and have a material adverse effect on 
our business, operating results, and financial condition.

We are heavily dependent on data provided by third party providers. For example, our Progressive business employs a 
proprietary decisioning algorithm when making lease approval decisions for its customers. This algorithm depends extensively 
upon continued access to and receipt of data from external sources, such as third party data vendors. In addition, our 
Aarons.com and DAMI businesses are similarly dependent on customer attribute data provided by external sources. Our data 
providers could stop providing data, provide untimely, incorrect or incomplete data, or increase the costs for their data for a 
variety of reasons, including a perception that our systems are insecure as a result of a data security breach, regulatory concerns 
or for competitive reasons. We could also become subject to increased legislative, regulatory or judicial restrictions or mandates 
on the collection, disclosure or use of such data, in particular if such data is not collected by our providers in a way that allows 
us to legally use the data. If we were to lose access to this external data or if our access or use were restricted or were to 
become less economical or desirable, our Progressive, Aarons.com and DAMI businesses would be negatively impacted, which 
would adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. We cannot provide assurance that we will be successful in 
maintaining our relationships with these external data source providers or that we will be able to continue to obtain data from 
them on acceptable terms or at all. Furthermore, we cannot provide assurance that we will be able to obtain data from 
alternative sources if our current sources become unavailable.

Our proprietary algorithms and decisioning tools used to approve customers could no longer be indicative of our 
customer’s ability to pay.

We believe Progressive’s proprietary, centralized underwriting process to be a key to the success of the Progressive business. 
That and other underwriting processes and tools are also used to approve customers of Aaron's and DAMI. We assume behavior 
and attributes observed for prior customers, among other factors, are indicative of performance by future customers. 
Unexpected changes in behavior caused by macroeconomic conditions, changes in consumer preferences, availability of 
alternative products or other factors, however, could lead to increased incidence and costs related to unpaid leases and/or 
merchandise losses.  

Progressive’s loss of operating revenues from key retail partners could materially and adversely affect our business.

Progressive’s relationship with its largest retail partners will have a significant impact on our operating revenues in future 
periods. The loss of any such key retailers would have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, any publicity 
associated with the loss of any of Progressive’s large retail partners could harm our reputation, making it more difficult to 
attract and retain consumers and other retail partners, and could lessen Progressive’s negotiating power with its remaining and 
prospective retail partners.

Many of Progressive’s contracts with its retail partners can be terminated by them on relatively short notice, and all can be 
terminated in limited circumstances, such as our material breach or insolvency, our failure to meet agreed-upon service levels, 

18

certain changes in control of Progressive, and its inability or unwillingness to agree to requested pricing changes. There can be 
no assurance that Progressive will be able to continue its relationships with its largest retail partners on the same or more 
favorable terms in future periods or that its relationships will continue beyond the terms of our existing contracts with them. 
Our operating revenues and operating results could suffer if, among other things, any of Progressive’s retail partners 
renegotiates, terminates or fails to renew, or fails to renew on similar or favorable terms, their agreements with Progressive or 
otherwise chooses to modify the level of support they provide for Progressive’s lease-purchase option.

If our independent franchisees fail to meet their debt service payments or other obligations under outstanding loans 
guaranteed by us as part of a franchise loan program, we may be required to pay to satisfy these obligations which 
could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

We have guaranteed the borrowings of certain franchisees under a franchise loan program with several banks with a maximum 
commitment amount of $125.0 million. In the event these franchisees are unable to meet their debt service payments or 
otherwise experience events of default, we would be unconditionally liable for a portion of the outstanding balance of the 
franchisees’ debt obligations, which at December 31, 2016 was $56.7 million. 

We have had no significant losses associated with the franchise loan and guaranty program since its inception. Although we 
believe that any losses associated with defaults would be mitigated through recovery of lease merchandise and other assets, we 
cannot guarantee that there will be no significant losses in the future or that we will be able to adequately mitigate any such 
losses. In addition to being liable for franchisee loan defaults under this loan and guaranty program, we could suffer a loss of 
franchisee fees and royalties in the event that any defaulting franchisees become insolvent and/or cease business operations due 
to financial difficulties, and could suffer write-downs of outstanding receivables those franchisees owe us if they fail to make 
those payments to us. If we fail to adequately mitigate any such future losses, our business and financial condition could be 
materially adversely impacted.

Operational and other failures by our franchisees may adversely impact us.

Qualified franchisees who conform to our standards and requirements are important to the overall success of our business. Our 
franchisees, however, are independent businesses and not employees, and consequently we cannot and do not control them to 
the same extent as our Company-operated stores. Our franchisees may fail in key areas, or experience significant business or 
financial difficulties, which could slow our growth, reduce our franchise revenues, damage our reputation, expose us to 
regulatory enforcement actions or private litigation and/or cause us to incur additional costs. If our franchisees experience 
business or financial difficulties, we could suffer a loss of franchisee fees and royalties and could suffer write-downs of 
outstanding receivables those franchisees owe us if they fail to make those payments to us. If we fail to adequately mitigate any 
such future losses, our business and financial condition could be materially adversely impacted.

Failure to successfully manage and grow our Aarons.com e-commerce platform could materially adversely affect our 
business and future prospects.

Our Aarons.com e-commerce platform provides customers the ability to review our product offerings and prices and enter into 
lease agreements as well as make payments on existing leases from the comfort of their homes and on their mobile devices. 
Our e-commerce platform is a significant component of our strategic plan and we believe will drive future growth of our 
business. In order to promote our products and services and allow customers to transact online and reach new customers, we 
must effectively maintain, improve and grow our e-commerce platform. There can be no assurance that we will be able to 
maintain, improve or grow our e-commerce platform in a profitable manner.

DAMI’s "second-look" credit programs for below-prime consumers differ in significant respects from the risks of 
Aaron’s store-based lease-to-own business. The risks could have a material negative effect on Progressive, which could 
result in a material adverse effect on our entire business.

As discussed above, as we execute on our strategic plans, we may continue to expand into complementary businesses that 
engage in financial, banking or lending services. For example, DAMI, which through its HELPcard® and other private label 
credit products, offers merchant partners one source for a variety of open-end credit programs for below-prime consumers, is a 
business that differs in significant respects from our Aaron's business. Consequently, DAMI faces different risks than are 
associated with Aaron’s sales and lease ownership concept, which Aaron’s and its franchisees offer through their own stores. 
Because DAMI is operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Progressive, the risks DAMI faces could have a material negative 
effect on Progressive, which could result in a material adverse effect on our entire business. These potential risks include, 
among others, DAMI’s:

• 

reliance on third party retailers (over whom DAMI cannot exercise the degree of control and oversight that Aaron’s 
business, including franchisees, can assert over their own respective employees) for many important business 
functions, from advertising through assistance with finance applications;

19

• 

reliance on two bank partners to issue DAMI’s HELPcard® and other credit products. The banks' regulators could at 
any time limit or otherwise modify the banks' ability to continue their relationships with DAMI and any significant 
interruption of those relationships would result in DAMI being unable to use exported rates or acquire new receivables 
without moving to a costly and inefficient state-by-state model, and provide other credit products. It is possible that a 
regulatory position or action taken with respect to DAMI’s issuing banks might result in the banks' inability or 
unwillingness to originate future credit products on DAMI’s behalf or in partnership with it, which would adversely 
affect DAMI’s ability to grow its point-of-sale and direct-to-consumer credit products and other consumer credit 
offerings and underlying receivables. In addition, DAMI’s agreements with its issuing bank partners have scheduled 
expiration dates. Although those expiration dates are several months apart, if DAMI is unable to extend or execute 
new agreements with both of its issuing banks upon the expiration of its current agreements, or if its existing 
agreements both were terminated or otherwise disrupted, there is a risk that DAMI would not be able to enter into an 
agreement with an alternative bank provider on terms that DAMI would consider favorable or in a timely manner 
without disruption of its business; and

• 

different legal and regulatory risks than those applicable to Aaron’s and Progressive's sales and lease ownership 
businesses, including risks arising from the Truth in Lending Act, state credit laws and the offering of open-end credit, 
the potential that regulators may target DAMI’s operating model and the interest rates it charges, and the risk of 
unfavorable court decisions relating to the exporting of interest rates and state usury laws. 

These risks could have a material negative effect on Progressive, which could result in a material adverse effect on our entire 
business.

If we fail to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and 
procedures, particularly with respect to our Progressive and DAMI businesses, we may not be able to accurately report 
our financial results, or report them in a timely manner.

As a public reporting company subject to the rules and regulations established from time to time by the SEC and the New York 
Stock Exchange, we are required to, among other things, establish and periodically evaluate procedures with respect to our 
disclosure controls and procedures. In addition, as a public company, we are required to document and test our internal control 
over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 so that our management can certify, on an 
annual basis, that our internal control over financial reporting is effective.

Prior to their acquisition by us, our Progressive and DAMI businesses were private companies and were not required to 
establish disclosure controls and procedures. In particular, unlike our Aaron's business, these businesses have not historically 
operated under a fully documented and annually tested system for internal control over financial reporting that is required for 
public companies by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

If we fail to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures - 
particularly in our Progressive and DAMI businesses - we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, or report 
them in a timely manner, which could cause a decline in our stock price and adversely affect our results of operations and 
financial condition. In addition, if our senior management is unable to conclude that we have effective internal control over 
financial reporting, or to certify the effectiveness of such controls, or if our independent registered public accounting firm 
cannot render an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, when required, or if 
material weaknesses in our internal controls are identified, we could be subject to increased regulatory scrutiny and a loss of 
public and investor confidence, which could also have a material adverse effect on our business and our stock price.

If we do not maintain the privacy and security of customer, employee, supplier or Company information, we could 
damage our reputation, incur substantial additional costs and become subject to litigation and regulatory enforcement 
actions.

Our business involves the collection, storage and transmission of customers’ personal information, consumer preferences and 
credit card information, as well as confidential information about our customers, employees, suppliers and Company. We also 
serve as an information technology provider to our franchisees including storing and processing information related to their 
customers on our systems. Our information systems are vulnerable to an increasing threat of continually evolving cybersecurity 
risks. Any significant compromise or breach of our data security, whether external or internal, or misuse of employee or 
customer data, could significantly damage our reputation, cause the disclosure of confidential customer, associate, supplier or 
Company information, and result in significant costs, lost revenues or sales, fines, regulatory enforcement actions and lawsuits. 
For example, we are currently subject to settlements with the FTC as well as the State of California and the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania regarding our business practices and compliance with privacy laws in those states, and data breaches of this 
nature could result in additional penalties under the terms of those settlements.

Various third parties, including computer hackers, may attempt to penetrate our network security and, if successful, 
misappropriate confidential customer or employee and/or supplier information. In addition, one of our employees, contractors 

20

or other third parties with whom we do business may attempt to circumvent our security measures in order to obtain such 
information, or inadvertently cause a breach involving such information. While we have implemented systems and processes to 
protect against unauthorized access to or use of secured data and to prevent data loss, there is no guarantee that these 
procedures are adequate to safeguard against all data security breaches or misuse of the data. The regulatory environment 
related to information security, data collection and use, and privacy is increasingly rigorous, with new and constantly changing 
requirements applicable to our business, and compliance with those requirements could result in additional costs. These costs 
associated with information security, such as increased investment in technology, the costs of compliance with privacy laws, 
and costs incurred to prevent or remediate information security breaches, could be substantial and adversely impact our 
business. 

We have experienced security incidents in the past, including an incident in which customer information was compromised, 
although no security incidents have resulted in a material loss to date.  We have been and are continuously in the process of 
improving our system security, although there can be no assurance that improvements we have already implemented, or others 
that we may implement from time to time in the future, will be effective to prevent all security incidents. We maintain network 
security and private liability insurance intended to help mitigate the financial risk of such incidents, but there can be no 
guarantee that insurance will be sufficient to cover all losses related to such incidents.

A significant compromise of sensitive employee or customer or supplier information in our possession could result in legal 
damages and regulatory penalties. In addition, the costs of defending such actions or remediating breaches could be material. 
Security breaches could also harm our reputation with our customers and retail partners, potentially leading to decreased 
revenues. 

If our information technology systems are impaired, our business could be interrupted, our reputation could be harmed 
and we may experience lost revenues and increased costs and expenses.

We rely on our information technology systems to process transactions with our customers, including tracking lease payments 
on merchandise, and to manage other important functions of our business. Failures of our systems, such as "bugs," crashes, 
internet failures and outages, operator error or catastrophic events, could seriously impair our ability to operate our business, 
and our business continuity and contingency plans related to such information technology failures may not be adequate to 
prevent that type of serious impairment. If our information technology systems are impaired, our business (and that of our 
franchisees) could be interrupted, our reputation could be harmed, we may experience lost revenues or sales and we could 
experience increased costs and expenses to remediate the problem.

We are subject to laws that regulate franchisor-franchisee relationships. Our ability to enforce our rights against our 
franchisees may be adversely affected by these laws, which could impair our growth strategy and cause our franchise 
revenues to decline.

As a franchisor, we are subject to regulation by the FTC, state laws and certain Canadian provincial laws regulating the offer 
and sale of franchises. Our failure to comply with applicable franchise regulations could cause us to lose franchise fees and 
ongoing royalty revenues. Moreover, state and provincial laws that regulate substantive aspects of our relationships with 
franchisees may limit our ability to terminate or otherwise resolve conflicts with our franchisees or enforce contractual duties 
or rights we believe we have with respect to our franchisees.

We may engage in litigation with our franchisees.

Although we believe we generally enjoy a positive working relationship with the vast majority of our franchisees, the nature of 
the franchisor-franchisee relationship may give rise to litigation with our franchisees. In the ordinary course of business, we are 
the subject of complaints or litigation from franchisees, usually related to alleged breaches of contract or wrongful termination 
under the franchise arrangements. We may also engage in future litigation with franchisees to enforce the terms of our franchise 
agreements and compliance with our brand standards as determined necessary to protect our brand, the consistency of our 
products and the customer experience. In addition, we may be subject to claims by our franchisees relating to our FDD, 
including claims based on financial information contained in our FDD. Engaging in such litigation may be costly, time-
consuming and may distract management and materially adversely affect our relationships with franchisees and our ability to 
attract new franchisees. Any negative outcome of these or any other claims could materially adversely affect our results of 
operations as well as our ability to expand our franchise system and may damage our reputation and brand. Furthermore, 
existing and future franchise-related legislation could subject us to additional litigation risk in the event we terminate or fail to 
renew a franchise relationship.

Changes to the current law with respect to the assignment of liabilities in the franchise business model could adversely 
impact our profitability.

One of the legal foundations fundamental to the franchise business model has been that, absent special circumstances, a 
franchisor is generally not responsible for the acts, omissions or liabilities of its franchisees. Recently, established law has been 

21

challenged and questioned by the plaintiffs’ bar and certain regulators, and the outcome of these challenges and new regulatory 
positions remains unknown. If these challenges and/or new positions are successful in altering currently settled law, it could 
significantly change the way we and other franchisors conduct business and adversely impact our profitability.

For example, a determination that we are a joint employer with our franchisees or that franchisees are part of one unified 
system with joint and several liability under the National Labor Relations Act, statutes administered by the Equal Employment 
Opportunity Commission, OSHA, regulations and other areas of labor and employment law could subject us and/or our 
franchisees to liability for the unfair labor practices, wage-and-hour law violations, employment discrimination law violations, 
OSHA regulation violations and other employment-related liabilities of one or more franchisees. Furthermore, any such change 
in law would create an increased likelihood that certain franchised networks would be required to employ unionized labor, 
which could impact franchisors like us through, among other things, increased labor costs and difficulty in attracting new 
franchisees. In addition, if these changes were to be expanded outside of the employment context, we could be held liable for 
other claims against franchisees. Therefore, any such regulatory action or court decisions could impact our ability or desire to 
grow our franchised base and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

From time to time we are subject to legal and regulatory proceedings which seek material damages or seek to place 
significant restrictions on our business operations. These proceedings may be negatively perceived by the public and 
materially and adversely affect our business. 

We are subject to legal and regulatory proceedings from time to time which may result in material damages or place significant 
restrictions on our business operations. For example, we are currently subject to settlements with the FTC as well as the State 
of California and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regarding our business practices and compliance with privacy laws in 
those states. Although we do not presently believe that any of our current legal or regulatory proceedings will ultimately have a 
material adverse impact on our operations, we cannot assure you that we will not incur material damages or penalties in a 
lawsuit or other proceeding in the future and/or significant defense costs related to such lawsuits or proceedings. For example, 
we operate a fleet of approximately 3,000 delivery trucks and, in addition to the significant compliance-related costs associated 
with operating such a fleet, we may incur significant adverse judgments, damages and penalties related to accidents that those 
trucks may be involved in from time to time. Significant adverse judgments, penalties, settlement amounts, amounts needed to 
post a bond pending an appeal or defense costs could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and capital resources. It is 
also possible that, as a result of a future governmental or other proceeding or settlement, significant restrictions will be placed 
upon, or significant changes made to, our business practices, operations or methods, including pricing or similar terms. Any 
such restrictions or changes may adversely affect our profitability or increase our compliance costs.

The transactions offered to consumers by our businesses may be negatively characterized by consumer advocacy 
groups, the media and certain federal, state and local government officials, and if those negative characterizations 
become increasingly accepted by consumers and/or Progressive’s or DAMI’s retail partners, demand for our goods and 
the transactions we offer could decrease and our business could be materially adversely affected.

Certain consumer advocacy groups, media reports and federal and state legislators have asserted that laws and regulations 
should be broader and more restrictive regarding lease-to-own transactions. The consumer advocacy groups and media reports 
generally focus on the total cost to a consumer to acquire an item, which is often alleged to be higher than the interest typically 
charged by banks or similar lending institutions to consumers with better credit histories. This "cost-of-rental" amount, which is 
generally defined as lease fees paid in excess of the "retail" price of the goods, is from time to time characterized by consumer 
advocacy groups and media reports as predatory or abusive without discussing benefits associated with our lease-to-own 
programs or the lack of viable alternatives for our customers’ needs. If the negative characterization of these types of lease-to-
own transactions becomes increasingly accepted by consumers or Progressive’s or DAMI’s retail and merchant partners, 
demand for our products and services could significantly decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, if the negative characterization of these types of transactions is 
accepted by legislators and regulators, we could become subject to more restrictive laws and regulations, which could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. The vast expansion and reach of 
technology, including social media platforms, has increased the risk that our reputation could be significantly impacted by these 
negative characterizations in a relatively short amount of time. If we are unable to quickly and effectively respond to such 
characterizations, we may experience declines in customer loyalty and traffic and our relationships with our retail partners may 
suffer, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The loss of the services of our key executives, or our inability to attract and retain key technical talent in the areas of IT 
and analytics, could have a material adverse impact on our operations.

We believe that we have benefited substantially from our current executive leadership and that the unexpected loss of their 
services in the future could adversely affect our business and operations. We also depend on the continued services of the rest 
of our management team. The loss of these individuals without adequate replacement could adversely affect our business. 

22

Further, we believe that the unexpected loss of certain key technical talent in the areas of information technology and analytics 
in the future could adversely affect our business and operations. We do not carry key man life insurance on any of our 
personnel. The inability to attract and retain qualified individuals, or a significant increase in the costs to do so, would 
materially adversely affect our operations. 

Our competitors could impede our ability to attract new customers, or cause current customers to cease doing business 
with us. 

The industries in which we operate are highly competitive and highly fluid, particularly in light of the sweeping new regulatory 
environment we are witnessing from regulators such as the CFPB and the FTC, among others, as discussed above. 

In the sales and lease ownership market, our competitors include national, regional and local operators of lease-to-own stores, 
virtual lease-to-own companies, traditional and e-commerce retailers (including many retailers who offer layaway programs) 
and, indirectly, various types of consumer finance companies that may enable our customers to shop at traditional or on-line 
retailers, as well as rental stores that do not offer their customers a purchase option. Our competitors in the traditional and 
virtual sales and lease ownership and traditional retail markets may have significantly greater financial and operating resources 
and greater name recognition in certain markets. Greater financial resources may allow our competitors to grow faster than us, 
including through acquisitions. This in turn may enable them to enter new markets before we can, which may decrease our 
opportunities in those markets. Greater name recognition, or better public perception of a competitor’s reputation, may help 
them divert market share away from us, even in our established markets. Some competitors may be willing to offer competing 
products on an unprofitable basis in an effort to gain market share, which could compel us to match their pricing strategy or 
lose business. 

Our Progressive business relies heavily on relationships with retail partners. An increase in competition could cause our retail 
partners to no longer offer the Progressive product in favor of our competitors which could slow growth in the Progressive 
business and limit profitability.

In addition, as a result of changes to the regulatory framework within which we operate, among other reasons, new competitors 
may emerge or current and potential competitors may establish financial or strategic relationships among themselves or with 
third parties. Accordingly, it is possible that new competitors or alliances among competitors could emerge and rapidly acquire 
significant market share. The occurrence of any of these events could materially adversely impact our business. 

We depend on hiring an adequate number of hourly employees to run our business and are subject to government 
regulations concerning these and our other employees, including wage and hour regulations. 

Our workforce is comprised primarily of employees who work on an hourly basis. To grow our operations and meet the needs 
and expectations of our customers, we must attract, train, and retain a large number of hourly associates, while at the same time 
controlling labor costs.  These positions have historically had high turnover rates, which can lead to increased training, 
retention and other costs. In certain areas where we operate, there is significant competition for employees, including from 
retailers and the restaurant industries. The lack of availability of an adequate number of hourly employees, or our inability to 
attract and retain them, or an increase in wages and benefits to current employees could adversely affect our business, results of 
operations, cash flows and financial condition. We are subject to applicable rules and regulations relating to our relationship 
with our employees, including wage and hour regulations, health benefits, unemployment and payroll taxes, overtime and 
working conditions and immigration status. Accordingly, federal, state or local legislated increases in the minimum wage, as 
well as increases in additional labor cost components such as employee benefit costs, workers’ compensation insurance rates, 
compliance costs and fines, would increase our labor costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
prospects, results of operations and financial condition. 

Our stock price is volatile, and you may not be able to recover your investment if our stock price declines.

The price of our common stock has been volatile and can be expected to be significantly affected by factors such as:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

our ability to meet market expectations with respect to the growth and profitability of each of our operating segments;

quarterly variations in our results of operations, which may be impacted by, among other things, changes in same store 
revenues or when and how many locations we acquire or open;

quarterly variations in our competitors’ results of operations;

changes in earnings estimates or buy/sell recommendations by financial analysts; 

state or federal legislative or regulatory proposals, initiatives, actions or changes that are, or are perceived to be, 
adverse to our operations;

the stock price performance of comparable companies; and

continuing unpredictable global and regional economic conditions. 

23

In addition, the stock market as a whole historically has experienced price and volume fluctuations that have affected the 
market price of many specialty retailers in ways that may have been unrelated to these companies’ operating performance.

We are subject to sales, income and other taxes, which can be difficult and complex to calculate due to the nature of our 
various businesses. A failure to correctly calculate and pay such taxes could result in substantial tax liabilities and a 
material adverse effect on our results of operations.

The application of indirect taxes, such as sales tax, is a complex and evolving issue, particularly with respect to the lease-to-
own industry generally and our virtual lease-to-own Progressive and Aarons.com businesses more specifically. Many of the 
fundamental statutes and regulations that impose these taxes were established before the growth of the lease-to-own industry 
and e-commerce and, therefore, in many cases it is not clear how existing statutes apply to our various businesses. In addition, 
governments are increasingly looking for ways to increase revenues, which has resulted in discussions about tax reform and 
other legislative action to increase tax revenues, including through indirect taxes. This also could result in other adverse 
changes in or interpretations of existing sales, income and other tax regulations. For example, from time to time, some taxing 
authorities in the United States have notified us that they believe we owe them certain taxes imposed on transactions with our 
customers, including some state tax authorities suggesting that our Progressive business may owe certain state taxes based on 
the locations of Progressive's retail partners where Progressive's lease-to-own transactions are originated. Although these 
notifications have not resulted in material tax liabilities to date, there is a risk that one or more jurisdictions may be successful 
in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We must successfully order and manage our Aaron's business inventory to reflect customer demand and anticipate 
changing consumer preferences and buying trends or our revenue and profitability will be adversely affected.

The success of our Aaron's business depends upon our ability to successfully manage our inventory and to anticipate and 
respond to merchandise trends and customer demands in a timely manner. We cannot always accurately predict consumer 
preferences and they may change over time. We must order certain types of merchandise, such as electronics, well in advance 
of seasonal increases in customer demand for those products.  The extended lead times for many of our purchases may make it 
difficult for us to respond rapidly to new or changing product trends or changes in prices. If we misjudge either the market for 
our merchandise, our customers' product preferences or our customers’ leasing habits, our revenue may decline significantly 
and we may not have sufficient quantities of merchandise to satisfy customer demand or we may be required to mark down 
excess inventory, either of which would result in lower profit margins.  In addition, our level of profitability and success in our 
Aaron's business depends on our ability to successfully re-lease or sale our inventory of merchandise that we take back from 
the customers of our Aaron's business, due to their lease agreements expiring, or otherwise.

We may pursue strategic alliances, acquisitions or investments and the failure of an alliance, acquisition or investment 
to produce the anticipated results or the inability to fully integrate the acquired companies could have an adverse 
impact on our business.

We may from time to time acquire or invest in complementary companies or businesses, as we have done in recent years. The 
success of such acquisitions or investments is based on our ability to make accurate assumptions regarding the valuation, 
operations, growth potential, integration and other factors relating to the respective business. There can be no assurance that our 
acquisitions or investments will produce the results that we expect at the time we enter into or complete the transaction. 
Furthermore, acquisitions may result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, 
amortization expenses or write-offs of goodwill or other intangibles, any of which could harm our financial condition. We also 
may not be able to successfully integrate operations that we acquire, including their personnel, financial systems, supply chain 
and other operations, which could adversely affect our business. Acquisitions may also result in the diversion of our capital and 
our management's attention from other business issues and opportunities.

Product safety and quality control issues, including product recalls, could harm our reputation, divert resources, reduce 
sales and increase costs.

The products we sell and lease in our Aaron's business and lease through our Progressive business are subject to regulation by 
the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and similar state regulatory authorities. Such products could be subject to 
recalls and other actions by these authorities. Product safety or quality concerns may require us to voluntarily remove selected 
products from our Aaron's stores, or from our customers’ homes. Such recalls and voluntary removal of products can result in, 
among other things, lost sales, diverted resources, potential harm to our reputation and increased customer service costs, which 
could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.  In addition, given the terms of our lease agreements with our 
customers, in the event of such a product quality or safety issue, our customers who have leased the defective merchandise 
from us could terminate their lease agreements for that merchandise and/or not renew those lease arrangements, which could 
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, if we are unable to recover those losses from the vendor who supplied 
us with the defective merchandise.   

24

Employee misconduct or misconduct by third parties acting on our behalf could harm us by subjecting us to monetary 
loss, significant legal liability, regulatory scrutiny and reputational harm.

Our reputation is critical to maintaining and developing relationships with our existing and potential customers and third parties 
with whom we do business. There is a risk that our employees or the employees of a third party retailer with whom our 
Progressive business partners, or of a third party merchant with whom our DAMI segment does business, could engage in 
misconduct that adversely affects our reputation and business. For example, if an employee or a third party associated with our 
business were to engage in, or be accused of engaging in, illegal or suspicious activities including fraud or theft of our 
customers’ information, we could suffer direct losses from the activity and, in addition, we could be subject to regulatory 
sanctions and suffer serious harm to our reputation, financial condition, customer relationships and ability to attract future 
customers. Employee or third-party misconduct could prompt regulators to allege or to determine based upon such misconduct 
that we have not established adequate supervisory systems and procedures to inform employees of applicable rules or to detect 
violations of such rules. Our Company-operated Aaron's stores have experienced employee fraud from time to time, and it is 
not always possible to deter employee or third-party misconduct. The precautions that we take to detect and prevent misconduct 
may not be effective in all cases. Misconduct by our employees or third party contractors, or even unsubstantiated allegations 
of misconduct, could result in a material adverse effect on our reputation and our business.  

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

25

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The Company leases warehouse and retail store space for most of its store-based operations, call center space, and management 
and information technology space for corporate functions under operating leases expiring at various times through 2033. Most 
of the leases contain renewal options for additional periods ranging from one to 20 years or provide for options to purchase the 
related property at predetermined purchase prices that do not represent bargain purchase options. The following table sets forth 
certain information regarding our furniture manufacturing plants, bedding facilities, fulfillment centers, service centers, 
warehouses, corporate management and call center facilities as of December 31, 2016:

LOCATION
Cairo, Georgia
Cairo, Georgia
Cairo, Georgia
Coolidge, Georgia
Coolidge, Georgia
Coolidge, Georgia
Coolidge, Georgia
Lewisberry, Pennsylvania
Fairburn, Georgia
Sugarland, Texas
Auburndale, Florida
Kansas City, Kansas
Phoenix, Arizona
Plainfield, Indiana
Cheswick, Pennsylvania 1
Auburndale, Florida
Belcamp, Maryland
Obetz, Ohio
Dallas, Texas
Fairburn, Georgia
Sugarland, Texas
Huntersville, North Carolina
LaVergne, Tennessee
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Phoenix, Arizona
Magnolia, Mississippi
Plainfield, Indiana
Portland, Oregon
Westfield, Massachusetts
Kansas City, Kansas
Cheswick, Pennsylvania

SEGMENT, PRIMARY USE AND HOW HELD

SQ. FT.

Manufacturing—Furniture Manufacturing – Owned
Manufacturing—Bedding and Furniture Manufacturing – Owned
Manufacturing—Furniture Parts Warehouse – Leased
Manufacturing—Furniture Manufacturing – Owned
Manufacturing—Furniture Manufacturing – Owned
Manufacturing—Furniture Manufacturing – Owned
Manufacturing—Administration and Showroom – Owned
Manufacturing—Bedding Manufacturing – Leased
Manufacturing—Bedding Manufacturing – Leased
Manufacturing—Bedding Manufacturing – Owned
Manufacturing—Bedding Manufacturing – Leased
Manufacturing—Bedding Manufacturing – Leased
Manufacturing—Bedding Manufacturing – Leased
Manufacturing—Bedding Manufacturing – Leased
Manufacturing—Bedding Manufacturing – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Owned
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Fulfillment Center – Leased

300,000
147,000
111,000
81,000
48,000
41,000
10,000
25,000
57,000
23,000
20,000
13,000
24,000
40,000
19,000
131,000
95,000
91,000
133,000
115,000
135,000
206,000
100,000
130,000
107,000
125,000
156,000
98,000
131,000
103,000
126,000

26

LOCATION
Auburndale, Florida
Belcamp, Maryland
Cheswick, Pennsylvania
Fairburn, Georgia
Grand Prairie, Texas
Houston, Texas
Huntersville, North Carolina
Kansas City, Kansas
Obetz, Ohio
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Phoenix, Arizona
Plainfield, Indiana
Citrus Heights, California
Ridgeland, Mississippi
South Madison, Tennessee
Queens, New York
Draper, Utah
Glendale, Arizona
Springdale, Arkansas
Tulsa, Oklahoma

SEGMENT, PRIMARY USE AND HOW HELD
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Service Center – Leased
Sales and Lease Ownership—Warehouse – Leased
Progressive—Corporate Management/Call Center – Leased
Progressive—Corporate Management/Call Center  – Leased
DAMI—Corporate Management/Call Center  – Owned
DAMI—Call Center – Leased

SQ. FT.

7,000
5,000
10,000
10,000
7,000
20,000
18,000
8,000
7,000
10,000
7,000
13,000
8,000
10,000
23,000
32,000
148,000
52,000
29,000
3,400

1 The Company ceased its bedding manufacturing operations at the Cheswick, PA facility in February 2017.

Our executive and administrative offices previously occupied approximately 69,000 of the 81,000 usable square feet in a 
105,000 square-foot office building in Atlanta, Georgia. We sold this building in January 2016, and secured a lease in a 
different part of Atlanta for approximately 64,000 square feet of a building that we began occupying in 2016 and use for our 
permanent executive and administrative offices. 

We also wholly lease a building in Kennesaw, Georgia with approximately 51,000 square feet. During 2017, we plan to relocate 
our administrative functions to an alternate leased space with approximately 48,000 square feet.

In addition, we currently lease 67,000 square feet of a second building in Kennesaw, which is used for administrative functions.

We believe that all of our facilities are well maintained and adequate for their current and reasonably foreseeable uses.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While any proceeding 
contains an element of uncertainty, we do not currently believe that any of the outstanding legal proceedings to which we are a 
party will have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position or results of operations. However, an adverse 
resolution of a number of these items may have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position or results of 
operations. For further information, see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements under the heading "Legal Proceedings," 
which discussion is incorporated by reference in response to this Item 3. 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

27

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND 
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information, Holders and Dividends

Effective December 13, 2010, all shares of the Company’s common stock began trading as a single class on the New York 
Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "AAN." The CUSIP number of the Company's common stock is 002535300.

The number of shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock at February 22, 2017 was 174. The closing price for the 
common stock at February 22, 2017 was $27.06.

The following table shows the range of high and low sales prices per share for the Company’s common stock and the quarterly 
cash dividends declared per share for the periods indicated. 

Common Stock
Year Ended December 31, 2016
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

Common Stock
Year Ended December 31, 2015
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

$

$

High

Low

$

$

25.25
27.72
25.90
34.22

33.71
36.98
40.06
40.80

High

$

$

20.24
20.51
21.50
22.37

27.51
27.40
32.36
21.32

Low

Cash
Dividends
Per Share

0.0250
0.0250
0.0250
0.0275

Cash
Dividends
Per Share

0.0230
0.0230
0.0230
0.0250

Subject to our ongoing ability to generate sufficient income, any future capital needs and other contingencies, we expect to 
continue our policy of paying quarterly dividends. Dividends will be payable only when, and if, declared by the Company's 
Board of Directors. Under our revolving credit agreement, we may pay cash dividends in any year so long as, after giving pro 
forma effect to the dividend payment, we maintain compliance with our financial covenants and no event of default has 
occurred or would result from the payment.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

As of December 31, 2016, 9,123,721 shares of common stock remained available for repurchase from time to time under the 
purchase authority previously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The following table presents our share 
repurchase activity for the three months ended December 31, 2016:

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans

Average Price
Paid Per Share
—
—
—

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
—
—
—
—

Period
October 1 through October 31, 2016
November 1 through November 30, 2016
December 1 through December 31, 2016
Total
1 Share repurchases are conducted under authorizations made from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors. The most 
recent authorization was publicly announced on October 4, 2013 and authorized the repurchase of an additional 10,955,345 
shares of common stock over the previously authorized repurchase amount of 4,044,655 shares, increasing the total number of 
our shares of common stock authorized for repurchase to 15,000,000. These authorizations have no expiration date, and the 
Company is not obligated to repurchase any shares. Subject to applicable law, repurchases may be made at such times and in 
such amounts as the Company deems appropriate. Repurchases may be discontinued at any time.

—
—
—
—

Maximum Number of 
Shares That May Yet Be 
Purchased Under the 
Publicly Announced Plans1
9,123,721
9,123,721
9,123,721

28

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

Information concerning the Company’s equity compensation plans is set forth in Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report on 
Form 10-K.

Performance Graph

Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return*
Among Aaron's, Inc., the S&P Midcap 400 Index, and S&P 400 Retailing Index

*$100 invested on 12/31/11 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.

The line graph above and the table below compare, for the last five years of the Company, the yearly percentage change in the 
cumulative total shareholder returns (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on the Company's common stock with that of the 
S&P Midcap 400 Index and the S&P 400 Retailing Index.

December 31,

Aaron's, Inc.

S&P Midcap 400

S&P 400 Retailing Index

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

$

100.00 $

106.23 $

110.72 $

115.47 $

84.84 $

121.68

100.00

100.00

117.88

112.24

157.37

136.46

172.74

145.32

168.98

124.57

204.03

130.35

29

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth certain selected consolidated financial data of Aaron’s, Inc., which have been derived from its 
Consolidated Financial Statements for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2016. Certain reclassifications 
have been made to the prior periods to conform to the current period presentation. This historical information may not be 
indicative of the Company’s future performance. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Consolidated Financial 
Statements and the notes thereto. 

(Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
OPERATING RESULTS
Revenues:

Lease Revenues and Fees
Retail Sales
Non-Retail Sales
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable
Other

Costs and Expenses:

Depreciation of Lease Merchandise
Retail Cost of Sales
Non-Retail Cost of Sales
Operating Expenses
Financial Advisory and Legal Costs
Restructuring Expenses
Retirement and Vacation Charges
Progressive-Related Transaction Costs
Legal and Regulatory (Income) Expense
Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net

Operating Profit

Interest Income
Interest Expense
Other Non-Operating (Expense) Income, Net

Earnings Before Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Net Earnings

Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution
Dividends Per Share
FINANCIAL POSITION
Lease Merchandise, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Total Assets
Debt
Shareholders’ Equity
AT YEAR END (unaudited)
Stores Open:

Company-operated
Franchised

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Year Ended December 31,

$ 2,780,824
29,418
309,446
58,350
24,080
5,598
3,207,716

$ 2,684,184
32,872
390,137
63,507
2,845
6,211
3,179,756

$ 2,221,574
38,360
363,355
65,902
—
5,842
2,695,033

$ 1,748,699
40,876
371,292
68,575
—
5,189
2,234,631

$ 1,676,391
38,455
425,915
66,655
—
5,411
2,212,827

1,304,295
18,580
276,608
1,351,785
—
20,218
—
—
—
(6,446)
2,965,040
242,676
2,699
(23,390)
(3,563)
218,422
79,139
139,283

1.93
1.91
0.1025

$

$

1,212,644
21,040
351,777
1,357,030
—
—
—
—
—
1,324
2,943,815
235,941
2,185
(23,339)
(1,667)
213,120
77,411
135,709

1.87
1.86
0.0940

$

$

932,634
24,541
330,057
1,231,801
13,661
9,140
9,094
6,638
(1,200)
(1,176)
2,555,190
139,843
2,921
(19,215)
(1,845)
121,704
43,471
78,233

1.08
1.08
0.0860

999,381
211,271
2,615,736
497,829
1,481,598

$ 1,138,938
225,836
2,698,488
606,746
1,366,618

$ 1,087,032
219,417
2,456,844
606,082
1,223,521

$

$

$

628,089
24,318
337,581
1,022,684
—
—
4,917
—
28,400
1,584
2,047,573
187,058
2,998
(5,613)
517
184,960
64,294
120,666

1.59
1.58
0.0720

869,725
231,293
1,827,176
142,704
1,139,963

$

$

$

601,552
21,608
387,362
952,617
—
—
10,394
—
(35,500)
(2,235)
1,935,798
277,029
3,541
(6,392)
2,677
276,855
103,812
173,043

2.28
2.25
0.0620

964,067
230,598
1,812,929
141,528
1,136,126

$

$

$

Lease Agreements in Effect
Progressive Active Doors1
Number of Employees
1 Progressive was acquired on April 14, 2014. Active doors represent retail store locations at which at least one virtual lease-to-own transaction has been 
completed during the trailing three month period. 

1,165
699
2,104,700
17,963
11,500

1,305
734
2,164,200
13,248
12,700

1,326
782
2,111,800
12,307
12,400

1,370
781
1,751,000
—
12,600

1,324
749
1,724,000
—
11,900

30

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 

OPERATIONS

Business Overview

Aaron’s, Inc. ("we," "our," "us," or the "Company") is a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. As of 
December 31, 2016, the Company's operating segments are Sales and Lease Ownership, Progressive, DAMI, Franchise, and 
Woodhaven Furniture Industries.

The Sales and Lease Ownership segment offers furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories to consumers 
primarily on a month-to-month lease-to-own basis with no credit needed through the Company's Aaron's stores. We have more 
than 1,800 Company-operated and franchised Aaron's stores in 47 states and Canada.  Progressive is a virtual lease-to-own 
company that provides lease-purchase solutions through approximately 22,000 retail locations in 46 states. It does so by 
purchasing merchandise from third-party retailers desired by those retailers’ customers and, in turn, leasing that merchandise to 
the customers on a lease-to-own basis. Progressive consequently has no stores of its own, but rather offers lease-purchase 
solutions to the customers of traditional retailers. DAMI, which was acquired by Progressive on October 15, 2015, partners 
with merchants to provide a variety of revolving credit products originated through two third-party federally insured banks to 
customers that may not qualify for traditional prime lending (called "second-look" financing programs). The Franchise 
operation awards franchises and supports franchisees of its Aaron's stores. Woodhaven Furniture Industries manufactures and 
supplies the majority of the upholstered furniture and bedding leased and sold in Company-operated and franchised Aaron's 
stores. 

Business Environment and Company Outlook

Like many industries, the lease-to-own industry has been transformed by the internet and virtual marketplace. We believe the 
Progressive and DAMI acquisitions have been strategically transformational for the Company in this respect and will continue 
to strengthen our business, as demonstrated by Progressive’s significant revenue and profit growth in 2016. We also believe the 
traditional lease-to-own industry has been negatively impacted in recent periods by: (i) the continuing economic challenges 
facing many traditional lease-to-own customers; (ii) increased competition from a wide range of competitors, including 
national, regional and local operators of lease-to-own stores; virtual lease-to-own companies; traditional and e-commerce 
retailers; and, indirectly, from various types of consumer finance companies that enable our customers to shop at traditional or 
online retailers; and (iii) the challenges faced by many traditional “brick-and-mortar” retailers, with respect to a decrease in the 
number of consumers visiting those stores, especially younger consumers. In response to these changing market conditions, we 
are executing a strategic plan that focuses on the following items and that we believe positions us for success over the long-
term:

• 

Improve Aaron's store profitability;

•  Accelerate our omnichannel platform;

• 

• 

Strengthen relationships of Progressive and DAMI's current retail partners;

Focus on converting existing pipeline into Progressive retail partners; and

•  Champion compliance.

As part of executing this strategy, we sold the 82 Company-operated HomeSmart stores on May 13, 2016, which will enable us 
to sharpen our focus on activities that have the highest potential for return. We also took steps to further address the expense 
structure at our Aaron's business by completing a thorough review of our remaining store base in order to identify opportunities 
for rationalization. As a result of this evaluation and other cost-reduction initiatives, the Company closed 56 underperforming 
Aaron's Company-operated stores primarily in the fourth quarter of 2016. The Company plans to close approximately 70 
additional stores during the second quarter of 2017. The Company also optimized its home office and field support staff in 
2016, which resulted in a reduction in employee headcount in those areas, to more closely align with current business 
conditions. 

31

Highlights

The following summarizes significant highlights from our 2016 fiscal year:

•  The Company reported record revenues of $3.2 billion in 2016 and its net earnings before income taxes increased to 
$218.4 million compared to $213.1 million in 2015. The Company's net earnings were $139.3 million versus $135.7 
million for 2015 and its diluted earnings per share were $1.91 compared to $1.86 for 2015.

•  The Company generated cash from operating activities of $465.4 million compared to $166.8 million in 2015 and 

ended 2016 with $308.6 million in cash and $225.0 million available on our revolving credit facility. In addition, the 
Company returned nearly $42 million to shareholders in 2016 through share repurchases and cash dividends. 

• 

Progressive achieved record revenues of $1.2 billion in 2016, an increase of 17.9% over 2015. Progressive's revenue 
growth is due to a 35.6% increase in active doors, which contributed to a 13.4% increase in invoice volume. 
Progressive increased its earnings before income taxes to $104.7 million, compared to $54.5 million in 2015, due to its 
revenue growth and favorable lease portfolio performance in 2016. 

•  Our Aaron's sales and lease ownership revenues were $1.9 billion in 2016, a decrease of 7.3% compared to 2015. The 
decline is primarily the result of a 3.4% decrease in same store sales and the net reduction of 58 Company-operated 
Aaron's stores during 2016, as we began implementing our initiative to identify and close underperforming stores, and 
consolidating their customer accounts into other stores, to improve profitability and right-size our footprint in many 
markets. The Company also announced plans to close or merge approximately 70 additional Aaron's stores in the 
second quarter of 2017. Earnings before income taxes for the Aaron's sales and lease ownership segment decreased to 
$127.3 million for 2016, compared to $163.0 million for 2015, primarily due to the decrease in revenue and incurring 
$16.6 million in restructuring charges related to the store closing actions. 

Key Metrics

The Company’s franchised and Company-operated store activity (unaudited) is summarized as follows:

2016

2015

2014 1

Company-operated Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership stores
Company-operated Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership stores open at
January 1,

Opened
Added through acquisition
Closed, sold or merged

Company-operated Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership stores open at
December 31,

Franchised stores
Franchised stores open at January 1,

Opened
Purchased from the Company
Purchased by the Company
Closed, sold or merged

Franchised stores open at December 31,

Company-operated HomeSmart stores 2
Company-operated HomeSmart stores open at January 1,

Opened
Closed, sold or merged

1,223
—
16
(74)

1,165

734
1
—
(16)
(20)
699

1,243
7
25
(52)

1,223

782
10
16
(25)
(49)
734

82
—
(82)
—

83
—
(1)
82

1,262
30
9
(58)

1,243

781
23
6
(9)
(19)
782

81
3
(1)
83

Company-operated HomeSmart stores open at December 31,
1 In January 2014, we sold our 27 Company-operated RIMCO stores and the rights to five franchised RIMCO stores.
2 In May 2016, we sold our 82 Company-operated HomeSmart stores.

32

Same Store Revenues. We believe that changes in same store revenues are a key performance indicator of our Aaron's business. 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, we calculated this amount by comparing revenues for the year ended December 31, 
2016 to revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015 for all stores open for the entire 24-month period ended December 31, 
2016, excluding stores that received lease agreements from other acquired, closed or merged stores. 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company revised the methodology for calculating same store revenues and 
same store customer counts to reflect a full lifecycle for customer retention after stores are closed. As a result, revenues for 
stores that have been consolidated/merged are now included in the comparable same store calculation 27 months after their 
consolidation/merger. Previously, merged stores were included in the same store calculation after 24 months. The change in the 
same store calculation had an immaterial impact on comparable store revenues and customer counts.

Active Doors. We believe that active doors are a key performance indicator of our Progressive segment. Active doors represent 
retail store locations at which at least one virtual lease-to-own transaction has been completed during the trailing three month 
period. The following table presents active doors for the Progressive segment:

Active Doors at December 31 (Unaudited)

Progressive Active Doors

2016

2015

2014

17,963

13,248

12,307

Invoice Volume. We also believe that invoice volume is a key performance indicator of our Progressive segment. Invoice 
volume is defined as the retail price of lease merchandise acquired and leased by Progressive during the period, net of returns. 
The following table presents invoice volume for the Progressive segment:

For the Year Ended December 31 (Unaudited and In Thousands)

2016

2015

2014

Progressive Invoice Volume

$

884,812

$

780,038

$

471,902

Key Components of Earnings Before Income Taxes

In this management’s discussion and analysis section, we review our consolidated results. For the years ended December 31, 
2016 and the comparable prior year periods, some of the key revenue, cost and expense items that affected earnings before 
income taxes were as follows: 

Revenues. We separate our total revenues into six components: (i) lease revenues and fees; (ii) retail sales; (iii) non-retail sales; 
(iv) franchise royalties and fees; (v) interest and fees on loans receivable; and (vi) other. Lease revenues and fees include all 
revenues derived from lease agreements at Company-operated stores and retail locations serviced by Progressive. Retail sales 
represent sales of both new and returned lease merchandise from our Company-operated stores. Non-retail sales primarily 
represent new merchandise sales to our franchisees. Franchise royalties and fees represent fees from the sale of franchise rights 
and royalty payments from franchisees, as well as other related income from our franchised stores. Interest and fees on loans 
receivable primarily represents merchant fees, finance charges and annual and other fees earned on loans originated since the 
DAMI acquisition, as well as the accretion of the discount on loans acquired in the acquisition. Other revenues primarily relate 
to revenues from leasing real estate properties to unrelated third parties, as well as other miscellaneous revenues.

Depreciation of Lease Merchandise. Depreciation of lease merchandise primarily reflects the expense associated with 
depreciating merchandise held for lease and leased to customers by our Company-operated stores and Progressive.

Retail Cost of Sales. Retail cost of sales represents the depreciated cost of merchandise sold through our Company-operated 
stores.

Non-Retail Cost of Sales. Non-retail cost of sales primarily represents the cost of merchandise sold to our franchisees.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses include personnel costs, occupancy costs, provision for lease merchandise write-offs, 
bad debt expense, shipping and handling, advertising and the provision for loan losses, among other expenses.

Restructuring Expenses. Restructuring expenses represent the cost of optimization efforts and cost reduction initiatives related 
to the Aaron's business, home office and field support functions. Restructuring charges were comprised principally of closed 
store contractual lease obligations, the write-off and impairment of store property, plant and equipment, and related workforce 
reductions.

Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net. Other operating (income) expense, net consists of gains or losses on sales of 
Company-operated stores and delivery vehicles, fair value adjustments on assets held for sale and gains or losses on other 
transactions involving property, plant and equipment.

33

Interest Expense. Interest expense consists of interest incurred on fixed and variable rate notes and outstanding borrowings 
from revolving credit facilities.

Results of Operations

The results of DAMI and Progressive have been included in the Company’s consolidated results and presented as reportable 
segments from their October 15, 2015 and April 14, 2014 acquisition dates, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 
2016, management of the Company changed its internal segment measure of profit and loss for the Sales and Lease Ownership 
and former HomeSmart segments to be on an accrual basis rather than on a cash basis. The Company retroactively adjusted 
Revenues of Reportable Segments and Earnings Before Income Taxes for Reportable Segments in all segment-related 
disclosures in this management’s discussion and analysis section to conform to this change.

The production of our Manufacturing segment, consisting of Woodhaven Furniture Industries LLC, is primarily leased or sold 
through the Company-operated and franchised stores, and consequently, substantially all of that segment’s revenues and 
earnings before income taxes are eliminated through the elimination of intersegment revenues and intersegment profit or loss. 
Our Corporate support function serves to support the five operating segments and the unallocated charges related to the 
Corporate support function represent the Other category and are incorporated in the following discussion.

34

Results of Operations – Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

(In Thousands)
REVENUES:

Year Ended December 31,

2016 vs. 2015

2015 vs. 2014

2016

2015

2014

$

%

$

%

Change

Lease Revenues

and Fees
Retail Sales
Non-Retail Sales
Franchise Royalties and

Fees

$2,780,824
29,418
309,446

$2,684,184
32,872
390,137

$2,221,574
38,360
363,355

$

96,640
(3,454)
(80,691)

3.6% $ 462,610
(5,488)
26,782

(10.5)
(20.7)

20.8%
(14.3)
7.4

58,350

63,507

65,902

(5,157)

(8.1)

(2,395)

(3.6)

Interest and Fees on
Loans Receivable

Other

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Depreciation of Lease

Merchandise
Retail Cost of Sales
Non-Retail Cost of Sales

Operating Expenses
Financial Advisory and

Legal Costs

Restructuring Expenses
Retirement and Vacation

Charges

Progressive-Related
Transaction Costs
Legal and Regulatory

Income

Other Operating (Income)

Expense, Net

24,080
5,598
3,207,716

2,845
6,211
3,179,756

—
5,842
2,695,033

1,304,295
18,580
276,608
1,351,785

1,212,644
21,040
351,777
1,357,030

932,634
24,541
330,057
1,231,801

—
20,218

—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

13,661
9,140

9,094

6,638

(1,200)

21,235
(613)
27,960

91,651
(2,460)
(75,169)
(5,245)

—
20,218

—

—

—

746.4
(9.9)
0.9

7.6
(11.7)
(21.4)
(0.4)

nmf
nmf

nmf

nmf

nmf

2,845
369
484,723

280,010
(3,501)
21,720
125,229

(13,661)
(9,140)

(9,094)

(6,638)

1,200

(6,446)
2,965,040

1,324
2,943,815

(1,176)
2,555,190

(7,770)
21,225

(586.9)
0.7

2,500
388,625

OPERATING PROFIT
Interest Income
Interest Expense
Other Non-Operating

Expense

EARNINGS BEFORE
INCOME TAXES

242,676
2,699
(23,390)

235,941
2,185
(23,339)

139,843
2,921
(19,215)

(3,563)

(1,667)

(1,845)

218,422

213,120

121,704

INCOME TAXES

79,139

77,411

43,471

6,735
514
51

1,896

5,302

1,728

2.9
23.5
0.2

96,098
(736)
4,124

113.7

(178)

(9.6)

2.5

2.2

91,416

33,940

75.1

78.1

NET EARNINGS

$ 139,283

$ 135,709

$

78,233

$

3,574

2.6% $

57,476

73.5%

nmf—Calculation is not meaningful

35

nmf
6.3
18.0

30.0
(14.3)
6.6
10.2

nmf
nmf

nmf

nmf

nmf

212.6
15.2

68.7
(25.2)
21.5

 
 
 
Revenues

Information about our revenues by reportable segment is as follows:

(In Thousands)
REVENUES:
Sales and Lease Ownership1
Progressive2
HomeSmart1,3
DAMI4
Franchise5
Manufacturing
Other
Revenues of Reportable

Segments

Elimination of Intersegment

Revenues

Total Revenues from

External Customers

Year Ended December 31,

2016 vs. 2015

2015 vs. 2014

2016

2015

2014

$

%

$

%

Change

$1,852,312

$1,997,270

$2,040,617

1,237,597

1,049,681

25,392

24,080

58,350
90,274
950

63,204

2,845

63,507
106,020
1,118

519,342

64,441

—

65,902
104,058
2,969

$ (144,958)
187,916
(37,812)
21,235
(5,157)
(15,746)
(168)

(59.8)

(7.3)% $ (43,347)
530,339
17.9
(1,237)
2,845
(2,395)
1,962
(1,851)

(8.1)
(14.9)
(15.0)

746.4

(2.1)%

102.1

(1.9)

nmf

(3.6)
1.9
(62.3)

3,288,955

3,283,645

2,797,329

5,310

0.2

486,316

17.4

(81,239)

(103,889)

(102,296)

22,650

21.8

(1,593)

(1.6)

$3,207,716

$3,179,756

$2,695,033

$

27,960

0.9 % $ 484,723

18.0 %

nmf—Calculation is not meaningful
1 Segment revenue consists of lease revenues and fees, retail sales and non-retail sales.
2 Segment revenue consists of lease revenues and fees.
3 In May 2016, we sold our 82 Company-operated HomeSmart stores.
4 Segment revenue consists of interest and fees on loans receivable, and excludes the effect of interest expense.
5 Segment revenue consists of franchise royalties and fees.

Year Ended December 31, 2016 Versus Year Ended December 31, 2015 

Sales and Lease Ownership. Sales and Lease Ownership segment revenues decreased primarily due to an $87.6 million 
decrease in non-retail sales and a $54.3 million decrease in lease revenues and fees. Non-retail sales decreased primarily due to 
an 11% decline in franchised stores during the 24 month period ended December 31, 2016 and a decrease in product sales to 
our Aaron's franchises. Lease revenues and fees decreased primarily due to a 3.4% decrease in same store revenues and the net 
reduction of 78 Sales and Lease Ownership Aaron's stores during the 24 month period ended December 31, 2016. 

Progressive. Progressive segment revenues increased primarily due to a 35.6% growth in active doors, which contributed to an 
increase in invoice volume.

DAMI. DAMI segment revenues increased due to DAMI's results being included for a full year compared to a partial year in 
2015 from the October 15, 2015 acquisition date.

Franchise. Franchise segment revenues decreased primarily due to the net reduction of 83 franchised stores during the 24 
month period ended December 31, 2016. 

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Versus Year Ended December 31, 2014 

Sales and Lease Ownership. Sales and Lease Ownership segment revenues decreased due to a $65.0 million decrease in lease 
revenues and fees and a $5.3 million decrease in retail sales, partially offset by a $26.4 million increase in non-retail sales. 
Lease revenues and fees decreased partly due to the net reduction of 39 Sales and Lease Ownership stores during the 24 month 
period ended December 31, 2015 and a 4.2% decline in same store revenues. In particular, the revenues of the stores located in 
Texas, which represent approximately 18.0% of our store-based revenues, were down considerably in 2015 due to the effects of 
contractions in the oil industry on that market. Non-retail sales increased primarily due to higher demand for product by 
franchisees.

Progressive. Progressive segment revenues increased partly due to Progressive's results being included for a full year compared 
to a partial year in 2014 from the April 14, 2014 acquisition date. Revenues also increased in 2015 due to increases in invoice 
volume at existing active doors as well as a net increase of approximately 941 active doors since the beginning of 2015. 

36

 
 
 
 
Franchise. Franchise segment revenues decreased primarily due to a 0.9% decline in same store revenues of existing franchised 
stores and the impact of the net reduction of 47 franchised stores during the 24 month period ended December 31, 2015.

Operating Expenses

Information about certain significant components of operating expenses is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

2016 vs. 2015

2015 vs. 2014

Change

(In Thousands)
Personnel Costs
Occupancy Costs
Provision for Lease
Merchandise Write-Offs
Bad Debt Expense
Shipping and Handling
Advertising
Provision for Loan Losses
Other Operating Expenses
Operating Expenses

nmf—Calculation is not meaningful

2016
$ 611,113
208,712

2015
$ 619,557
208,927

2014
$ 594,246
206,806

$

134,104
128,333
69,939
40,823
11,251
147,510
$ 1,351,785

136,380
122,184
77,944
39,334
937
151,767
$ 1,357,030

99,942
60,514
81,131
50,460
—
138,702
$ 1,231,801

$

$
(8,444)
(215)

(2,276)
6,149
(8,005)
1,489
10,314
(4,257)
(5,245)

%
(1.4)% $
(0.1)

$
25,311
2,121

36,438
(1.7)
61,670
5.0
(3,187)
(10.3)
(11,126)
3.8
937
nmf
(2.8)
13,065
(0.4)% $ 125,229

%

4.3%
1.0

36.5
101.9
(3.9)
(22.0)
nmf
9.4
10.2%

Year Ended December 31, 2016 Versus Year Ended December 31, 2015

Operating expenses decreased $5.2 million during 2016 compared to the prior year. As a percentage of total revenues, operating 
expense decreased to 42.1% in 2016 from 42.7% in 2015. 

Personnel costs decreased primarily due to the disposition of the HomeSmart business in which the Company sold all of its 82 
HomeSmart stores on May 13, 2016 and a reduction of Corporate support staff. This was partially offset by hiring to support 
the growth of Progressive and DAMI, the inclusion of a full year of DAMI personnel costs, and additional charges related to 
the retirement of the Company's former Chief Financial Officer in 2016.

The provision for lease merchandise write-offs decreased slightly during 2016. Progressive's provision for lease merchandise 
write-offs as a percentage of Progressive's lease revenues improved from 7.0% in 2015 to 5.7% in 2016 due to continued 
operational improvements and enhancements to the lease decisioning process. The provision for lease merchandise write-offs 
as a percentage of lease revenues for our Aaron's business increased from 3.8% in 2015 to 4.1% in 2016. 

Although bad debt expense increased during 2016 due to higher Progressive revenues, bad debt expense as a percentage of 
Progressive's revenues decreased to 10.3% in 2016 from 11.6% in 2015 due to continued operational improvements and 
enhancements to the lease decisioning process. 

Shipping and handling expense decreased during 2016 due to lower delivery volumes as a result of the net reduction of 58 
Sales & Lease Ownership stores during the year as well as the disposition of the HomeSmart business on May 13, 2016.

The provision for loan losses increased during 2016 due to the inclusion of DAMI's results for a full year compared to a partial 
year in 2015 from the October 15, 2015 acquisition date.

Other operating expenses during 2015 included $3.7 million of one-time transaction costs incurred by Progressive in 
connection with the acquisition of DAMI.

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Versus Year Ended December 31, 2014

Operating expenses increased $125.2 million in 2015 compared to 2014. As a percentage of total revenues, operating expense 
decreased to 42.7% during 2015 from 45.7% during the comparable period in 2014. Operating expenses increased due 
primarily to the consolidation of Progressive's results from operations from the April 14, 2014 acquisition date. 

Personnel costs increased due to incurring a full year of Progressive personnel cost in 2015 and hiring to support the growth of 
Progressive.

The provision for lease merchandise write-offs increased due to higher Progressive revenues stemming from Progressive's 
results being included for a full year compared to a partial year in 2014 from the April 14, 2014 acquisition date and a net 

37

increase of approximately 941 active doors since the beginning of 2015. Progressive's provision for lease merchandise write-
offs as a percentage of Progressive's lease revenues improved from 7.9% in 2014 to 7.0% in 2015 due to the timing of the April 
2014 Progressive acquisition; customers often exercise the early purchase option in their lease agreements in the January 
through April time frame due to their receipt of federal and state income tax refunds, which results in a decrease to the 
provision during this period. As such, the 2014 results did not include the favorable impact to the provision that occurs in 
January through April. The provision for lease merchandise write-offs as a percentage of lease revenues for our Aaron's 
business increased from 3.4% in 2014 to 3.8% in 2015.

Bad debt expense increased due to the increase in Progressive revenues as a percentage of total revenues. Progressive's bad 
debt expense in 2015 was affected by the impact of a temporary interruption of certain data attributes used to make our 
approval decisions. We lost access to the attributes in February 2015 and replaced them in April 2015. Leases generated during 
the period of interruption charged off at higher rates than originally anticipated during the second and third quarters of 2015. 
Nonetheless, Progressive's bad debt expense as a percentage of Progressive's revenues remained constant at approximately 12% 
in both years.   

Advertising expense decreased $11.1 million in 2015 compared to 2014 due primarily to expense reduction initiatives during 
2015 and a net reduction of 39 Sales and Lease Ownership stores during the 24 month period ended December 31, 2015.

Other operating expenses during 2015 includes $3.7 million of one-time transaction costs incurred by Progressive in connection 
with the acquisition of DAMI. 

Other Costs and Expenses

Year Ended December 31, 2016 Versus Year Ended December 31, 2015 

Depreciation of lease merchandise. Depreciation of merchandise not on lease as a percentage of consolidated depreciation 
remained consistent year over year at approximately 5.8%. As a percentage of total lease revenues and fees, depreciation of 
lease merchandise increased to 46.9% from 45.2% in the prior year, primarily due to a shift in product mix from our Aaron's 
business to Progressive which is consistent with the increasing proportion of Progressive revenue of total revenue. Progressive 
generally experiences higher depreciation as a percentage of lease revenues because, among other factors, its merchandise has a 
shorter average life on lease, a higher rate of early buyouts, and the merchandise is generally purchased at retail prices 
compared to our Aaron's business, which procures merchandise at wholesale prices. 

Retail cost of sales. Retail cost of sales as a percentage of retail sales decreased to 63.2% from 64.0% primarily due to lower 
inventory purchase cost.

Non-retail cost of sales. Non-retail cost of sales as a percentage of non-retail sales decreased to 89.4% from 90.2% primarily 
due to lower inventory purchase cost.

Restructuring expenses. In connection with the closure and consolidation of underperforming Company-operated Aaron's stores 
and the optimization of our home office and field support staff, charges of $16.6 million and $3.5 million were recorded to the 
Sales and Lease Ownership segment and Other category, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2016. These charges 
were principally comprised of $11.6 million related to losses on contractual lease obligations for closed stores, $4.5 million 
related to the write-off and impairment of store property, plant and equipment and $3.9 million related to workforce reductions.  
The Company estimates it will incur an additional $13.0 million of restructuring charges in 2017 related to losses on 
contractual lease obligations for approximately 70 Aaron's stores that the Company expects to close in the second quarter of 
2017.

Year Ended December 31, 2015 Versus Year Ended December 31, 2014 

Depreciation of lease merchandise.  Depreciation of merchandise not on lease as a percentage of consolidated depreciation 
remained consistent year over year at approximately 5.8%. As a percentage of total lease revenues and fees, depreciation of 
lease merchandise increased to 45.2% in 2015 from 42.0% in 2014, primarily because of Progressive's continued growth 
relative to our Aaron's business. 

Retail cost of sales. Retail cost of sales as a percentage of retail sales have remained consistent at 64.0% in both periods.

Non-retail cost of sales. Non-retail cost of sales as a percentage of non-retail sales decreased slightly to 90.2% from 90.8%.

Financial advisory and legal costs. Financial advisory and legal costs of $13.7 million were recorded to the Other category in 
2014 related to addressing now-resolved strategic matters, including an unsolicited acquisition offer, two proxy contests and 
certain other shareholder proposals.

38

Restructuring expenses. In connection with the closure of 44 Company-operated stores and restructuring of its home office and 
field support in 2014, charges of $4.8 million and $4.3 million were recorded to the Sales and Lease Ownership segment and 
Other category, respectively. These changes principally consist of contractual lease obligations, the write-off and impairment of 
property, plant and equipment and workforce reductions.

Retirement charges. Retirement charges of $9.1 million were recorded to the Other category in 2014 due to the retirements of 
both the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and former Chief Operating Officer in 2014. 

Progressive-related transaction costs. Financial advisory and legal costs of $6.6 million were recorded to the Other category in 
2014 in connection with the April 14, 2014 acquisition of Progressive.

Legal and regulatory income. Regulatory income of $1.2 million in 2014 was recorded to the Other category as a reduction in 
previously recognized regulatory expense upon the resolution of the regulatory investigation by the California Attorney 
General.

Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net

Information about the components of other operating (income) expense, net is as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

2016 vs. 2015

2015 vs. 2014

Change

(In Thousands)
Net gains on sales of stores
Net gains on sales of delivery vehicles
Net (gains) losses and impairment charges on
asset dispositions and assets held for sale

$

2016

2015

2014

$

%

(126) $ (2,139) $ (1,694) $ 2,013
387

(1,706)

(1,099)

(1,319)

(94.1)% $
(22.7)

$
(445)
(607)

%
26.3 %
55.2

(5,001)

5,169

1,617

(10,170)

(196.7)

3,552

219.7

Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net

$ (6,446) $ 1,324

$ (1,176) $ (7,770)

(586.9)% $ 2,500

(212.6)%

In 2016, other operating income, net of $6.4 million included a gain of $11.1 million in the Other category on the January 2016 
sale of the Company's former corporate office building, partially offset by a loss and other charges related to the sale of 
HomeSmart of $5.4 million.

In 2015, other operating expense, net of $1.3 million included a $3.5 million loss related to a lease termination on a Company 
aircraft in the Other category, impairment charges of $0.8 million on leasehold improvements related to Company-operated 
stores that were closed during the period and impairment charges of $0.5 million on assets held for sale. In addition, the 
Company recognized gains of $2.1 million from the sale of 25 Sales and Lease Ownership stores during 2015. 

In 2014, other operating income, net of $1.2 million included charges of $0.5 million related to the impairment of various land 
outparcels and buildings that the Company decided not to utilize for future expansion and $0.8 million related to the loss of sale 
of the RIMCO net assets. In addition, the Company recognized gains of $1.7 million from the sale of six Sales and Lease 
Ownership stores during 2014.

Operating Profit

Interest income. Interest income, which primarily relates to the British pound-denominated Perfect Home notes, increased to 
$2.7 million in 2016 from $2.2 million in 2015 due to an increase in the interest rate of the Perfect Home notes during 2016. 
Interest income in 2015 decreased to $2.2 million from $2.9 million in 2014 due to lower average investment and cash 
equivalent balances.

Interest expense. Interest expense increased to $23.4 million in 2016 from $23.3 million in 2015 and $19.2 million in 2014. 
Interest expense increased in 2015 primarily due to $491.3 million of additional debt financing incurred in connection with the 
April 14, 2014 Progressive acquisition and due to increased revolving credit borrowings during 2015 to finance the acquisition 
of DAMI and the assumption of $44.8 million of debt in that acquisition.

Other non-operating expense. Other non-operating expense includes the impact of foreign currency remeasurement, as well as 
gains resulting from changes in the cash surrender value of Company-owned life insurance related to the Company's deferred 
compensation plan. Included in other non-operating expense were foreign currency remeasurement losses of $3.7 million, $2.5 
million and $2.3 million during 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These losses resulted from the strengthening of the U.S. 
dollar against the British pound during the period. Gains related to the changes in the cash surrender value of Company-owned 
life insurance were $0.2 million, $0.8 million and $0.4 million during 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

39

 
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes

Information about our earnings (loss) before income taxes by reportable segment is as follows: 

(In Thousands)
EARNINGS (LOSS)

BEFORE INCOME
TAXES:

Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other1
Earnings Before Income Taxes
for Reportable Segments
Elimination of Intersegment

Loss (Profit)

Total

Year Ended December 31,

2016 vs. 2015

2015 vs. 2014

2016

2015

2014

$

%

$

%

Change

$ 127,306
104,686
(3,479)
(9,273)
46,766
(27)
(48,164)

$ 162,996
54,525
606
(1,964)
48,576
2,520
(51,651)

$ 145,068
4,603
(2,613)
—
50,504
860
(75,905)

$ (35,690)
50,161
(4,085)
(7,309)
(1,810)
(2,547)
3,487

(21.9)% $
92.0
(674.1)
(372.1)
(3.7)
(101.1)
6.8

17,928
49,922
3,219
(1,964)
(1,928)
1,660
24,254

12.4%
nmf

123.2
nmf
(3.8)
193.0
32.0

217,815

215,608

122,517

2,207

1.0

93,091

76.0

607
$ 218,422

(2,488)
$ 213,120

(813)
$ 121,704

$

3,095
5,302

124.4

2.5 % $

(1,675)
91,416

(206.0)
75.1%

nmf—Calculation is not meaningful
1 The Other category includes unallocated corporate costs such as personnel and occupancy costs.

Changes within earnings (loss) before income taxes are discussed above.

Income Tax Expense 

Income tax expense increased in 2016 compared to 2015 due primarily to a 2.5% increase in earnings before income taxes in 
2016. The effective tax rate remained relatively unchanged at 36.2% in 2016 compared to 36.3% in 2015.

Income tax expense increased in 2015 compared to 2014 due primarily to a 75.1% increase in earnings before income taxes in 
2015. The effective tax rate increased to 36.3% in 2015 from 35.7% in 2014 primarily as a result of reduced federal credits.

Overview of Financial Position

The major changes in the consolidated balance sheet from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016, include:

•  Cash and cash equivalents increased $293.6 million to $308.6 million at December 31, 2016. For additional 

information, refer to the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section below.

•  Lease merchandise, net decreased $139.6 million to $1.0 billion at December 31, 2016 primarily due to decreases in 

lease merchandise purchases at our Aaron's business operations and the HomeSmart disposition during the year ended 
December 31, 2016.

• 

Income tax receivable decreased $167.3 million to $11.9 million primarily due to the enactment of the Protecting 
Americans From Tax Hikes Act in December 2015 ("the 2015 Act"), which extended bonus depreciation on eligible 
inventory held during 2015. Throughout 2015, the Company made payments based on the previously enacted law, 
resulting in an overpayment when the 2015 Act was signed into law. The Company received a refund of $120 million 
in 2016 related to the 2015 overpayment.

•  Accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased $45.9 million to $297.8 million at December 31, 2016 primarily 
due to decreases in lease merchandise purchases at the end of the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the end of the 
fourth quarter of 2015.

•  Debt decreased $108.9 million to $497.8 million at December 31, 2016 due primarily to the net repayment of $112.5 
million in revolving credit borrowings and term loans. Refer to "Liquidity and Capital Resources" for further details 
regarding the Company's financing arrangements.

40

 
 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Our primary capital requirements consist of buying merchandise for our Aaron's business and Progressive's operations. As we 
continue to grow, the need for additional lease merchandise is expected to remain our major capital requirement. Other capital 
requirements include (i) purchases of property, plant and equipment; (ii) expenditures for acquisitions; (iii) expenditures related 
to our corporate operating activities; (iv) personnel expenditures; (v) income tax payments; (vi) funding of loans receivable for 
DAMI; and (vii) servicing our outstanding debt obligations. The Company has also historically paid quarterly cash dividends 
and periodically repurchases stock. Our capital requirements have been financed through:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

cash flows from operations;

private debt offerings;

bank debt;

trade credit with vendors;

proceeds from the sale of lease return merchandise; and

stock offerings.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company has $308.6 million of cash and $225.0 million of availability under its revolving credit 
facility.

Cash Flows from (used in) Operating Activities

The Company's cash flows from operating activities were $465.4 million in 2016, compared to $166.8 million in 2015 and cash 
used in operating activities of $49.0 million in 2014. 

The $298.7 million increase in cash flows from operating activities in 2016 as compared to 2015 was primarily due to net tax 
refunds received in 2016 versus net tax payments in 2015, an increase in our Progressive business invoice volumes and 
operating margins, and inventory reductions in our Aaron's store merchandise not on lease, partially offset by declines in the 
operating results of our Aaron's sales and lease ownership business and declines in accounts payable and accrued expenses. The 
operating results of Progressive and the Aaron's sales and lease ownership business are described in more detail in the "Results 
of Operations" section above. The Company received a net income tax refund of $54.3 million in 2016 compared to net income 
tax payments of $91.7 million in 2015, which was the result of the enactment of the Protecting Americans From Tax Hikes Act 
of 2015 (the "2015 Act") as discussed further in the "Commitments" section below. Lease merchandise inventory declined in 
2016 due to inventory reduction initiatives in our Aaron's store business, which also contributed to declines in accounts payable 
and accrued expenses in 2016 compared to 2015. 

The $215.7 million increase in cash flows from operating activities in 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily due to revenue 
growth, operating margin improvements and income tax refunds. Among other changes, there was a $57.5 million increase in 
net earnings, a $24.0 million increase in cash flows related to inventory reduction initiatives, and $91.7 million in income tax 
payments made in 2015 compared to $187.7 million in 2014. The revenue growth and operating margin improvements were 
related primarily to Progressive, which continues to grow and expand invoice volume and active doors, and has lower operating 
expenses as a percentage of total revenues than the Company's traditional lease-to-own business because it does not have store 
operations. The operating margin improvements also related to price increases, inventory reduction, and cost reduction 
initiatives at the Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership segment. The change in the income tax receivable occurred primarily 
because of the enactment of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 and the 2015 Act, which have resulted in income tax 
refunds, as discussed further in the "Commitments" section below. These acts were signed in December 2014 and December 
2015, respectively and retroactively extended accelerated depreciation. The Company made payments throughout each of those 
years based on enacted tax laws resulting in overpayments at the end of those years.

Cash Flows used in Investing Activities

The Company's investing activities used cash of $20.1 million, $108.9 million and $635.5 million during the years ended 
December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, cash outflows on purchases of property, plant and equipment were $57.5 million, a 
5.1% decrease from 2015. This was offset by proceeds from the sale of businesses and contracts of $35.9 million, which 
includes net cash proceeds of $35.0 million in connection with the sale of the 82 Company-operated HomeSmart stores in May 
2016 as well as proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment of $19.4 million, which includes proceeds of 
$13.6 million from the January 2016 sale of the Company's former corporate office building. 

41

During the year ended December 31, 2015, cash outflows on purchases of property, plant and equipment were $60.6 million 
and cash outflows on the acquisition of business and contracts were $73.3 million, which includes $50.7 million to acquire a 
100% ownership interest in DAMI.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, cash outflows on purchases of property, plant and equipment were $47.6 million 
and cash outflows on the acquisition of business and contracts were $700.5 million, which relates to our acquisition of 
Progressive.

Purchases of sales and lease ownership stores initially have a positive impact on operating cash flows because the lease 
merchandise, other assets and intangibles acquired are recognized as investing cash outflows in the period of acquisition. 
However, the initial positive impact may not be indicative of the extent to which these stores will contribute positively to 
operating cash flows in future periods. The amount of lease merchandise purchased in store acquisitions and shown under 
investing activities was $4.8 million and $8.5 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. The amount of lease merchandise 
purchased in acquisitions and shown under investing activities was $144.0 million in 2014, substantially all of which was the 
direct result of the April 14, 2014 Progressive acquisition.

The amount of lease merchandise included in the sale of Company-operated stores and shown under investing activities was 
$1.2 million in 2016, $8.8 million in 2015 and $3.1 million in 2014.

Cash Flows (used in) from Financing Activities

The Company's net cash used in financing activities was $151.9 million and $46.5 million during the years ended December 31, 
2016 and 2015, respectively, and cash provided by financing activities was $456.9 million during the year ended December 31, 
2014. The cash used in financing activities in 2016 relates primarily to net repayments of outstanding debt of $75.0 million on 
our revolving facility, $25.0 million on our 3.95% senior unsecured notes, and $12.5 million on our term loan.  The cash used in 
financing activities in 2015 relates primarily to net repayments of outstanding debt of $40.7 million. Cash provided by 
financing activities in 2014 relates primarily to the issuance of our 4.75% senior unsecured notes and revolving credit facility 
which was used to fund our acquisition of Progressive. 

Share Repurchases

We purchase our stock in the market from time to time as authorized by our Board of Directors. During the year ended 
December 31, 2016, the Company purchased 1,372,700 shares for $34.5 million. As of December 31, 2016, we have the 
authority to purchase 9,123,721 additional shares.

Dividends

We have a consistent history of paying dividends, having paid dividends for 29 consecutive years. Our annual common stock 
dividend was $0.1025 per share, $0.094 per share and $0.086 per share in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and resulted in 
aggregate dividend payments of $7.4 million, $6.8 million and $7.8 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At its 
November 2016 meeting, our Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 10.0%, raising it to $0.0275 per share. The 
Company also increased its quarterly dividend rate by 8.7%, to $0.025 per share, in November 2015 and by 9.5%, to $0.023 per 
share, in November 2014. 

On February 24, 2017, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.0275 per share. Subject to sufficient 
operating profits, any future capital needs and other contingencies, we currently expect to continue our policy of paying 
dividends.

Debt Financing

As of December 31, 2016, $96.9 million of term loans were outstanding under the term loan and revolving credit agreement. 
Our current revolving credit facility matures December 9, 2019 and the total available credit on the facility as of December 31, 
2016 was $225.0 million. The revolving credit and term loan agreement includes an uncommitted incremental facility increase 
option (an "accordion facility") which, subject to certain terms and conditions, permits the Company at any time prior to the 
maturity date to request an increase in extensions of credit available thereunder by an aggregate additional principal amount of 
up to $200.0 million.

42

As of December 31, 2016, $47.5 million was outstanding under the DAMI credit facility. The DAMI credit facility is currently 
set to mature on October 15, 2017 and the total available credit on the facility as of December 31, 2016 was $7.6 million. In 
addition, the DAMI credit facility includes an accordion facility which, subject to certain terms and conditions, permits DAMI 
at any time prior to the maturity date to request an increase in the maximum facility of up to $25.0 million. The DAMI credit 
facility restricts DAMI's ability to transfer funds by limiting intercompany dividends to an amount not to exceed the amount of 
capital the Company has invested in DAMI. The aggregate amount of such dividends made in a calendar year are limited to 
75% of DAMI's net income for the immediately preceding calendar year. On June 30, 2016, DAMI entered into the twelfth 
amendment to the DAMI credit facility (the "Twelfth Amendment"). As amended, borrowings under the DAMI credit facility 
bear interest at 4.375% plus one-month LIBOR, provided that the applicable margin will increase by 0.25% if Monthly Excess 
Availability (as defined in the DAMI credit facility) is less than 20%.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured 
notes issued in a private placement in connection with the April 14, 2014 Progressive acquisition. The notes bear interest at the 
rate of 4.75% per year and mature on April 14, 2021. Payments of interest are due quarterly, commencing July 14, 2014, with 
principal payments of $60.0 million each due annually commencing April 14, 2017.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding $50.0 million in senior unsecured notes originally issued in a private 
placement in July 2011. Effective April 28, 2014, the notes bear interest at the rate of 3.95% per year and mature on April 27, 
2018. Quarterly payments of interest commenced July 27, 2011, and annual principal payments of $25.0 million each 
commenced April 27, 2014.

Our revolving credit and term loan agreement and senior unsecured notes, and our franchisee loan agreement discussed below, 
contain certain financial covenants. These covenants include requirements that the Company maintain ratios of (i) EBITDA 
plus lease expense to fixed charges of no less than 2.00:1.00 and (ii) total debt to EBITDA of no greater than 3.00:1.00. In each 
case, EBITDA refers to the Company’s consolidated earnings before interest and tax expense, depreciation (other than lease 
merchandise depreciation), amortization expense and other non-cash charges, and it excludes the results of DAMI. If we fail to 
comply with these covenants, we will be in default under these agreements, and all amounts could become due immediately. We 
are in compliance with all of these covenants at December 31, 2016 and believe that we will continue to be in compliance in the 
future.

The DAMI credit facility also contains financial covenants. The Twelfth Amendment amended the DAMI credit facility to, 
among other things, (i) remove the financial covenant that requires DAMI to maintain a certain EBITDA ratio, (ii) include a 
financial covenant that requires DAMI to meet certain trailing twelve month and fiscal quarter EBITDA thresholds, (iii) include 
a minimum tangible net worth requirement for DAMI, and (iv) include a financial covenant that DAMI shall maintain a 
monthly Cash Collection Percentage (as defined in the DAMI credit facility) of greater than or equal to 5.0%. The Twelfth 
Amendment also amends the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness" in the DAMI credit facility to include non-interest bearing 
debt owing to the Company and certain of its affiliates under certain circumstances. 

The DAMI credit facility includes financial covenants that, among other things, require DAMI to maintain a senior debt to 
capital base ratio of not more than 2.0 to 1.0. Furthermore, the DAMI credit facility restricts DAMI's ability to transfer funds by 
limiting intercompany dividends to an amount not to exceed the amount of capital the Company has invested in DAMI. The 
aggregate amount of such dividends made in a calendar year are limited to 75% of DAMI's net income for the immediately 
preceding calendar year. The Company is in compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2016 and believe that we will 
continue to be in compliance in the future.

If we fail to comply with these covenants, we will be in default under the agreement, and all amounts could become due 
immediately. We are in compliance with all of these covenants at December 31, 2016 and believe that we will continue to be in 
compliance in the future. 

Commitments

Income Taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we received income tax refunds, net of payments, of 
$54.3 million. Within the next twelve months, we anticipate that we will make cash payments for federal and state income taxes 
of approximately $123.0 million.

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 signed into law on December 20, 2014 extended bonus depreciation and reauthorized 
work opportunity tax credits through the end of 2014. The 2015 Act signed into law on December 18, 2015 extended 50% 
bonus depreciation and reauthorized work opportunity tax credits through the end of 2019. As a result, the Company applied for 
and received a $100 million quick refund from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") for the 2014 tax year during January 
2015, and a $120 million quick refund for the 2015 tax year during February 2016. Accordingly, our cash flow benefited from 
having a lower cash tax obligation, which, in turn, provided additional cash flow from operations. Because of our sales and 
lease ownership model, in which the Company remains the owner of merchandise on lease, we benefit more from bonus 
depreciation, relatively, than traditional furniture, electronics and appliance retailers.

43

In future years, we may have to make increased tax payments on our earnings as a result of expected profitability and the 
reversal of the accelerated depreciation deductions that were taken in 2015 and prior periods. While the 2015 Act extended 
bonus depreciation through 2019, not considering the effects of bonus depreciation on future qualifying expenditures, we 
estimate that at December 31, 2016, the remaining tax deferral associated with the acts described above is approximately 
$159.0 million, of which approximately 86% is expected to reverse in 2017 and most of the remainder during 2018 and 2019.

Leases. We lease warehouse and retail store space for most of our store-based operations, call center space, and management 
and information technology space for corporate functions under operating leases expiring at various times through 2033. Most 
of the leases contain renewal options for additional periods ranging from one to 20 years. We also lease transportation vehicles 
under operating leases which generally expire during the next three years. We expect that most leases will be renewed or 
replaced by other leases in the normal course of business. Approximate future minimum rental payments required under 
operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2016 are shown 
in the table set forth below under "Contractual Obligations and Commitments."

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had 19 capital leases with a limited liability company ("LLC") controlled by a group of 
current and former executives. In October and November 2004, the Company sold 11 properties, including leasehold 
improvements, to the LLC. The LLC obtained borrowings collateralized by the land and buildings totaling $6.8 million. The 
Company occupies the land and buildings collateralizing the borrowings under a 15-year term lease, with a five-year renewal at 
the Company’s option, at an aggregate annual rental of $0.8 million. The transaction has been accounted for as a financing in 
the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The rate of interest implicit in the leases is approximately 9.7%. 
Accordingly, the land and buildings, associated depreciation expense and lease obligations are recorded in the Company’s 
consolidated financial statements. No gain or loss was recognized in this transaction.

In December 2002, the Company sold 10 properties, including leasehold improvements, to the LLC. The LLC obtained 
borrowings collateralized by the land and buildings totaling $5.0 million. The Company occupies the land and buildings 
collateralizing the borrowings under a 15-year term lease at an aggregate annual rental of approximately $1.2 million. The 
transaction has been accounted for as a financing in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The rate of interest 
implicit in the leases is approximately 10.1%. Accordingly, the land and buildings, associated depreciation expense and lease 
obligations are recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. No gain or loss was recognized in this transaction.

Franchise Loan Guaranty. We have guaranteed the borrowings of certain independent franchisees under a franchise loan 
agreement with several banks, which has a maturity date of December 7, 2017. 

At December 31, 2016, the portion that we might be obligated to repay in the event franchisees defaulted was $56.7 million. 
However, due to franchisee borrowing limits, we believe any losses associated with defaults would be substantially mitigated 
through recovery of lease merchandise and other assets. Since the inception of the franchise loan program in 1994, we have had 
no significant associated losses. We believe the likelihood that the Company would fund any significant amounts in connection 
with these commitments to be remote. 

The following table shows the Company’s approximate commercial commitments as of December 31, 2016:

(In Thousands)
Guaranteed Borrowings of Franchisees

Total
Amounts
Committed

Period Less
Than 1 Year

Period 1-3
Years

Period 3-5
Years

Period Over
5 Years

$

56,721

$

46,524

$

10,197

$

— $

—

Contractual Obligations and Commitments. The following table shows the approximate contractual obligations, including 
interest, and commitments to make future payments as of December 31, 2016: 

(In Thousands)
Debt, Excluding Capital Leases
Capital Leases
Interest Obligations
Operating Leases
Purchase Obligations
Retirement Obligations
Total Contractual Cash Obligations

$

Total
494,406
6,364
45,014
506,562
28,183
4,436
$ 1,084,965

$

$

Period Less
Than 1 Year

145,031
2,606
17,326
107,985
17,351
3,280
293,579

Period 1-3
Years
229,375
2,666
22,032
169,635
9,661
1,113
434,482

$

$

Period 3-5
Years
120,000
1,092
5,656
114,282
1,171
32
242,233

$

$

$

$

Period Over
5 Years

—
—
—
114,660
—
11
114,671

Purchase obligations are primarily related to certain advertising programs, marketing programs, software licenses, hardware and 
software maintenance and support and telecommunications services. The table above includes only those purchase obligations 
for which the timing and amount of payments is certain. We also have purchase obligations for certain advertising and 

44

 
 
marketing programs with required minimum purchase volumes that are not included in the total contractual obligations table 
and that we estimate will result in additional annual spending of approximately $5.5 million in 2017, based on recent history. 
We have no long-term commitments to purchase merchandise nor do we have significant purchase agreements that specify 
minimum quantities or set prices that exceed our expected requirements for three months.

For future interest payments on variable-rate debt, which are based on a specified margin plus a base rate (LIBOR), we used the 
variable rate in effect at December 31, 2016 to calculate these payments. Our variable rate debt at December 31, 2016 consisted 
of our borrowings under our revolving credit agreement and DAMI credit facility. Future interest payments related to our 
revolving credit agreement are based on the borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2016 through their respective maturity 
dates, assuming such borrowings are outstanding at that time. The variable portion of the rates at December 31, 2016 ranged 
between 2.31% and 2.52% for borrowings under the unsecured revolving credit agreements. The variable rate for the DAMI 
credit facility was 5.00% at December 31, 2016. Future interest payments may be different depending on future borrowing 
activity and interest rates.

Retirement obligations primarily represent future payments associated with the retirement of executive officers during the years 
ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2014. 

Deferred income tax liabilities as of December 31, 2016 were approximately $276.1 million. This amount is not included in the 
total contractual obligations table because we believe this presentation would not be meaningful. Deferred income tax liabilities 
are calculated based on temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their respective book basis, 
which will result in taxable amounts in future years when the liabilities are settled at their reported financial statement amounts. 
The results of these calculations do not have a direct connection with the amount of cash taxes to be paid in any future periods. 
As a result, scheduling deferred income tax liabilities as payments due by period could be misleading, because this scheduling 
would not relate to liquidity needs.

Unfunded Lending Commitments. The Company, through its DAMI business, has unfunded lending commitments totaling 
approximately $366.4 million and $378.7 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, that do not give rise to 
revenues and cash flows. These unfunded commitments arise in the ordinary course of business from credit card agreements 
with individual cardholders that give them the ability to borrow, against unused amounts, up to the maximum credit limit 
assigned to their account. While these unfunded amounts represented the total available unused lines of credit, the Company 
does not anticipate that all cardholders will utilize their entire available line at any given point in time. Commitments to extend 
unsecured credit are agreements to lend to a cardholder so long as there is no violation of any condition established in the 
contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. Since many of the commitments are 
expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash 
requirements. The reserve for losses on unfunded loan commitments, which is included in accounts payable and accrued 
expenses, is calculated by the Company based on historical customer usage of available credit and is approximately $0.5 
million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Critical Accounting Policies

We discuss the most critical accounting policies below. For a discussion of the Company's significant accounting policies, see 
Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition 

Sales and Lease Ownership lease revenues are recognized as revenue in the month they are due. Progressive lease revenues are 
earned prior to the lease payment due date and are recorded as earned.  Our revenue recognition accounting policy matches the 
lease revenue with the corresponding costs, mainly depreciation, associated with lease merchandise. At December 31, 2016 and 
2015, we had deferred revenue representing cash collected in advance of being due or otherwise earned totaling $61.9 million 
and $68.6 million, respectively, and leases accounts receivable, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts, based on historical 
collection rates of $34.4 million and $34.5 million, respectively. 

Revenues from the sale of merchandise to franchisees are recognized at the time of receipt of the merchandise by the franchisee 
and revenues from such sales to other customers are recognized at the time of shipment. 

DAMI recognizes interest income based upon the amount of the loans outstanding, which is recognized as interest and fees on 
loans receivable in the billing period in which they are assessed if collectability is reasonably assured. DAMI acquires loans 
receivable from merchants through its third-party bank partners at a discount from the face value of the loan. The discount is 
comprised mainly of a merchant fee discount, which represents a pre-negotiated, nonrefundable discount that generally ranges 
from 3.5% to 25% of the loan face value. The discount is designed to cover the risk of loss related to the portfolio of cardholder 
charges and DAMI's direct origination costs. The merchant fee discount, net of the origination costs, is amortized on a net basis 
and is recorded as interest and fee revenue on loans receivable on a straight-line basis over the initial 24-month period that the 
card is active. 

45

Lease Merchandise

Our Sales and Lease Ownership segment depreciates merchandise over the applicable agreement period, generally 12 to 24 
months and generally 36 months when not on lease, to a 0% salvage value. The Company's Progressive segment, at which 
substantially all merchandise is on lease, depreciates merchandise over the lease agreement period, which is typically over 12 
months, while on lease. 

Our policies generally require weekly lease merchandise counts at our store-based operations, which include write-offs for 
unsalable, damaged, or missing merchandise inventories. In addition to regular cycle counting, full physical inventories are 
generally taken at our fulfillment and manufacturing facilities annually with appropriate provisions made for missing, damaged 
and unsalable merchandise. In addition, we monitor lease merchandise levels and mix by division, store and fulfillment center, 
as well as the average age of merchandise on hand. If unsalable lease merchandise cannot be returned to vendors, its carrying 
amount is adjusted to net realizable value or written off. 

All lease merchandise is available for lease and sale, excluding merchandise determined to be missing, damaged or unsalable. 
We record a provision for write-offs on the allowance method, which estimates the merchandise losses incurred but not yet 
identified by management as of the end of the accounting period based on historical write-off experience. As of December 31, 
2016 and 2015, the allowance for lease merchandise write-offs was $33.4 million. The provision for lease merchandise write-
offs was $134.1 million, $136.4 million and $99.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are classified into one of three categories: (1) intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization; (2) 
intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization; and (3) goodwill. For intangible assets with definite lives, 
tests for impairment must be performed if conditions exist that indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. For 
intangible assets with indefinite lives and goodwill, tests for impairment must be performed at least annually, and sooner if 
events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. Factors which could necessitate an interim impairment 
assessment include a sustained decline in the Company’s stock price, prolonged negative industry or economic trends and 
significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results. As an alternative to this annual 
impairment testing for intangible assets with indefinite lives and goodwill, the Company may perform a qualitative assessment 
for impairment if it believes it is not more likely than not that the carrying amount of a reporting unit's net assets exceeds the 
reporting unit's fair value.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets represent the value of trade names and trademarks acquired as part of the Progressive 
acquisition. At the date of acquisition, the Company determined that no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or 
other factors limit the useful life of the trade name and trademark intangible asset and, therefore, the useful life is considered 
indefinite. The Company reassesses this conclusion quarterly and continues to believe the useful life of this asset is indefinite.

We estimate the fair value of indefinite-lived trade name and trademark intangible assets based on projected discounted future 
cash flows under a relief from royalty method. The Company completed its indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test as 
of October 1, 2016 and determined that no impairment had occurred. 

The following table presents the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets, net:

(In Thousands)

Goodwill

Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net

December 31,

2016

$

$

526,723

53,000

194,672

774,395

Management has deemed its operating segments to be reporting units due to the fact that the operations included in each 
operating segment have similar economic characteristics. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had five operating segments 
and reporting units: Sales and Lease Ownership, Progressive, DAMI, Franchise and Manufacturing. The following is a 
summary of the Company’s goodwill by reporting unit:

(In Thousands)
Sales and Lease Ownership

Progressive
Total

46

December 31,

2016

237,922

288,801

526,723

$

$

The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment testing as of October 1 each year. When evaluating goodwill for 
impairment, the Company may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that a 
reporting unit or intangible asset group is impaired. The decision to perform a qualitative impairment assessment for an 
individual reporting unit in a given year is influenced by a number of factors, including the size of the reporting unit's goodwill, 
the current and projected operating results, the significance of the excess of the reporting unit's estimated fair value over 
carrying amount at the last quantitative assessment date and the amount of time in between quantitative fair value assessments 
and the date of acquisition. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2016 and determined 
that no impairment had occurred. The Company determined that there were no events that occurred or circumstances that 
changed in the fourth quarter of 2016 that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying 
amount.

Provision for Loan Losses and Loan Loss Allowance

Losses on loans receivable are recognized when they are incurred, which requires the Company to make its best estimate of 
probable losses inherent in the portfolio. The Company evaluates loans receivable collectively for impairment. The method for 
calculating the best estimate of probable losses takes into account the Company’s historical experience, adjusted for current 
conditions and the Company's judgment concerning the probable effects of relevant observable data, trends and market factors. 
Economic conditions and loan performance trends are closely monitored to manage and evaluate exposure to credit risk. Trends 
in delinquency ratios are an indicator of credit risk within the loans receivable portfolio, including the migration of loans 
between delinquency categories over time (roll rates). Charge-off rates represent another indicator of the potential for future 
credit losses. The risk in the loans receivable portfolio is correlated with broad economic trends, such as unemployment rates, 
gross domestic product growth and gas prices, which can have a material effect on credit performance. To the extent that actual 
results differ from our estimates of uncollectible loans receivable, the Company’s results of operations and liquidity could be 
materially affected.

The Company initially calculates the allowance for loan losses based on actual delinquency balances and historical average loss 
experience on loans receivable by aging category for the prior eight quarters. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a 
level considered adequate to cover probable losses of principal, interest and fees on active loans in the loans receivable 
portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance is evaluated at each period end. 

Delinquent loans receivable are those that are 30 days or more past due based on their contractual billing dates. The Company 
places loans receivable on nonaccrual status when they are greater than 90 days past due or upon notification of cardholder 
bankruptcy, death or fraud. The Company discontinues accruing interest and fees and amortizing deferred merchant fees (net of 
origination costs) and promotional fees for loans receivable in nonaccrual status. Loans receivable are removed from 
nonaccrual status when cardholder payments resume, the loan becomes less than 90 days past due and collection of the 
remaining amounts outstanding is deemed probable. Payments received on nonaccrual loans are allocated according to the 
same payment hierarchy methodology applied to loans that are accruing interest. Loans receivable are charged off at the end of 
the month following the billing cycle in which the loans receivable become 120 days past due.

The provision for loan losses was $11.3 million and $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and from October 15, 
2015 (DAMI acquisition date) to December 31, 2015, respectively. The allowance for loan losses was $6.6 million and $0.9 
million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Leases and Closed Store Reserves 

The majority of our Company-operated stores are operated from leased facilities under operating lease agreements. The 
majority of the leases are for periods that do not exceed five years, although lease terms range in length up to approximately 15 
years. Leasehold improvements related to these leases are generally amortized over periods that do not exceed the lesser of the 
lease term or useful life. For leases which contain escalating payments we record the related lease expense on a straight-line 
basis over the lease term. We generally do not obtain significant amounts of lease incentives or allowances from landlords. Any 
incentive or allowance amounts we receive are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

From time to time, we close or consolidate stores. Our primary costs associated with closing stores are the future lease 
payments and related commitments. We record an estimate of the future obligation related to closed stores based upon the 
present value of the future lease payments and related commitments, net of estimated sublease receipts based upon historical 
experience. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, our reserve for closed stores was $14.4 million and $5.7 million, respectively. 
Due to changes in market conditions, our estimates related to sublease receipts may change and, as a result, our actual liability 
may be more or less than the recorded amount. Excluding actual and estimated sublease receipts, our future obligations related 
to closed stores on an undiscounted basis were $31.8 million and $16.9 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively.

47

Insurance Programs 

We maintain insurance contracts to fund workers compensation, vehicle liability, general liability and group health insurance 
claims. Using actuarial analyses and projections, we estimate the liabilities associated with open and incurred but not reported 
workers compensation, vehicle liability and general liability claims. This analysis is based upon an assessment of the likely 
outcome or historical experience. We also calculate the projected outstanding plan liability for our group health insurance 
program using historical claims runoff data. Our gross estimated liability for workers compensation insurance claims, vehicle 
liability, general liability and group health insurance was $36.6 million and $43.3 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively. In addition, we have prefunding balances on deposit with the insurance carriers of $40.0 million and $33.7 million 
at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company made a reclassification to the December 31, 2015 balance sheet to 
record the estimated insurance coverage in excess of our stop-loss policy limits and to reflect certain prepayments to the 
insurance carrier as a prepaid and other asset and the related gross insurance reserve as accounts payable and accrued expenses, 
rather than presenting them on a net basis. 

If we resolve insurance claims for amounts that are in excess of our current estimates, we will be required to pay additional 
amounts beyond those accrued at December 31, 2016.

The assumptions and conditions described above reflect management’s best assumptions and estimates, but these items involve 
inherent uncertainties as described above, which may or may not be controllable by management. As a result, the accounting 
for such items could result in different amounts if management used different assumptions or if different conditions occur in 
future periods.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting 
pronouncements.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 

As of December 31, 2016, we had $350.0 million of senior unsecured notes outstanding at a weighted-average fixed rate of 
4.6%. Amounts outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit agreements as of December 31, 2016 consisted of $96.9 
million in term loans. The DAMI secured revolving credit agreement had $47.5 million outstanding as of December 31, 2016. 
Borrowings under these revolving credit agreements are indexed to LIBOR or the prime rate, which exposes us to the risk of 
increased interest costs if interest rates rise. Based on the Company's variable-rate debt outstanding as of December 31, 2016, a 
hypothetical 1.0% increase or decrease in interest rates would increase or decrease interest expense by $1.4 million on an 
annualized basis.

We do not use any significant market risk sensitive instruments to hedge commodity, foreign currency or other risks, and hold 
no market risk sensitive instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

48

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors of Aaron’s, Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Aaron’s, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 
2015, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each 
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s 
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial 
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates 
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a 
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial 
position of Aaron’s, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated results of their operations and 
their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted 
accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
Aaron’s, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established 
in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(2013 framework) and our report dated February 24, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
February 24, 2017 

49

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Board of Directors of Aaron’s, Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited Aaron’s, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on 
criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Aaron’s, Inc. and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for 
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control 
over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal 
control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of 
internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and 
operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered 
necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures 
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and 
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit 
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and 
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the 
company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or 
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Aaron’s, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
the consolidated balance sheets of Aaron’s, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the related 
consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in 
the period ended December 31, 2016 of Aaron’s, Inc. and subsidiaries and our report dated February 24, 2017 expressed an 
unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
February 24, 2017

50

Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of Aaron’s, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate 
internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
as amended. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with 
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 
Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, the Company’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on 
its assessment using those criteria, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2016, the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting was effective.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an 
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report dated February 24, 2017, which expresses an unqualified 
opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016.

51

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS:

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Investments
Accounts Receivable (net of allowances of $35,690 in 2016 and $34,861 in 2015)
Lease Merchandise (net of accumulated depreciation and allowances of $743,222 in 2016 and
$738,657 in 2015)

$

$

308,561
20,519
95,777

14,942
22,226
113,439

999,381

1,138,938

December 31,

2016

2015

(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

Loans Receivable (net of allowances and unamortized fees of $13,830 in 2016 and $2,971 in
2015)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Goodwill
Other Intangibles, Net
Income Tax Receivable
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Total Assets

LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accrued Regulatory Expense
Deferred Income Taxes Payable
Customer Deposits and Advance Payments
Debt

Total Liabilities

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)

Shareholders’ Equity:

Common Stock, Par Value $0.50 Per Share: Authorized: 225,000,000 Shares at December
31, 2016 and 2015; Shares Issued: 90,752,123 at December 31, 2016 and 2015

Additional Paid-in Capital
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Less: Treasury Shares at Cost

Common Stock: 19,303,578 Shares at December 31, 2016 and 18,151,560 at December 31,
2015

Total Shareholders’ Equity

Total Liabilities & Shareholders’ Equity

$

$

84,804
211,271
526,723
247,672
11,884
109,144
2,615,736

297,766
—
276,116
62,427
497,829
1,134,138
—

$

$

85,795
225,836
539,475
275,912
179,174
102,751
2,698,488

343,673
4,737
307,481
69,233
606,746
1,331,870
—

45,376
254,512
1,534,983
(531)
1,834,340

45,376
240,112
1,403,120
(517)
1,688,091

(352,742)
1,481,598
2,615,736

$

(321,473)
1,366,618
2,698,488

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

52

 
 
AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

REVENUES:

Lease Revenues and Fees
Retail Sales
Non-Retail Sales
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable
Other

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

Depreciation of Lease Merchandise
Retail Cost of Sales
Non-Retail Cost of Sales
Operating Expenses
Financial Advisory and Legal Costs
Restructuring Expenses
Retirement and Vacation Charges
Progressive-Related Transaction Costs
Legal and Regulatory Income
Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net

OPERATING PROFIT
Interest Income
Interest Expense
Other Non-Operating Expense

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES
NET EARNINGS
EARNINGS PER SHARE
EARNINGS PER SHARE ASSUMING DILUTION

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

$

$
$
$

2,780,824
29,418
309,446
58,350
24,080
5,598
3,207,716

1,304,295
18,580
276,608
1,351,785
—
20,218
—
—
—
(6,446)
2,965,040
242,676
2,699
(23,390)
(3,563)
218,422
79,139
139,283
1.93
1.91

$

$
$
$

2,684,184
32,872
390,137
63,507
2,845
6,211
3,179,756

1,212,644
21,040
351,777
1,357,030
—
—
—
—
—
1,324
2,943,815
235,941
2,185
(23,339)
(1,667)
213,120
77,411
135,709
1.87
1.86

$

$
$
$

2,221,574
38,360
363,355
65,902
—
5,842
2,695,033

932,634
24,541
330,057
1,231,801
13,661
9,140
9,094
6,638
(1,200)
(1,176)
2,555,190
139,843
2,921
(19,215)
(1,845)
121,704
43,471
78,233
1.08
1.08

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

53

 
 
AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In Thousands)
Net Earnings

Other Comprehensive Loss:

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment

Total Other Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive Income

Year Ended December 31,

2016
139,283

(14)
(14)
139,269

$

$

2015
135,709

(427)
(427)
135,282

$

$

2014

78,233

(26)
(26)
78,207

$

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

54

 
 
AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Treasury Stock

Shares

Amount

Common Stock

Additional
Paid-in Capital

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Total
Shareholders'
Equity

(17,795) $

(305,750) $

45,376

$

198,182

$

1,202,219

$

(64) $

1,139,963

(In Thousands, Except Per
Share)
Balance, January 1, 2014

Dividends, $0.0860 per share

Stock-Based Compensation

Reissued Shares

Repurchased Shares

Net Earnings

Foreign Currency

Translation Adjustment

—

17

515

(1,001)

—

—

—

300

7,162

(25,000)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

10,398

(6,290)

25,000

—

—

(6,219)

—

—

—

78,233

—

Balance, December 31, 2014

(18,264)

(323,288)

45,376

227,290

1,274,233

Dividends, $0.0940 per share

Stock-Based Compensation

Reissued Shares

Net Earnings

Foreign Currency

Translation Adjustment

—

5

107

—

—

—

89

1,726

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

13,605

(783)

—

—

(6,822)

—

—

135,709

—

Balance, December 31, 2015

(18,152)

(321,473)

45,376

240,112

1,403,120

Dividends, $0.1025 per share

Stock-Based Compensation

Reissued Shares

Repurchased Shares

Net Earnings

Foreign Currency

Translation Adjustment

—

4

217

(1,373)

—

—

—

68

3,188

(34,525)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

20,160

(5,760)

—

—

—

(7,420)

—

—

—

139,283

—

—

—

—

—

(26)

(90)

—

—

—

—

(427)

(517)

—

—

—

—

—

(6,219)

10,698

872

—

78,233

(26)

1,223,521

(6,822)

13,694

943

135,709

(427)

1,366,618

(7,420)

20,228

(2,572)

(34,525)

139,283

—

(14)

(14)

Balance, December 31, 2016

(19,304) $

(352,742) $

45,376

$

254,512

$

1,534,983

$

(531) $

1,481,598

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

55

 
 
AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net Earnings
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Net Cash Provided by (Used

in) Operating Activities:

Depreciation of Lease Merchandise
Other Depreciation and Amortization
Accounts Receivable Provision
Provision for Credit Losses on Loans Receivable
Stock-Based Compensation
Deferred Income Taxes
Other Changes, Net

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net of Effects of

Acquisitions and Dispositions:

Additions to Lease Merchandise
Book Value of Lease Merchandise Sold or Disposed
Accounts Receivable
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
Income Tax Receivable
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accrued Litigation Expense
Customer Deposits and Advance Payments

Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Loans Receivable Originated
Repayments of Loans Receivable
Proceeds from Maturities and Calls of Investments
Outflows on Purchases of Property, Plant & Equipment
Acquisitions of Businesses and Contracts, Net of Cash Acquired
Proceeds from Dispositions of Businesses and Contracts, Net of Cash

Disposed

Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment

Cash Used in Investing Activities
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from Issuances of Debt
Repayments of Debt
Acquisition of Treasury Stock
Dividends Paid
Excess Tax (Deficiencies) Benefits From Stock-Based Compensation
Issuance of Stock Under Stock Option Plans
Other

Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS

Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
Cash Paid (Received) During the Year:

Interest
Income Taxes

$

$

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

(In Thousands)

$

139,283

$

135,709

$

78,233

1,304,295
82,378
167,923
11,251
21,470
(35,162)
(2,086)

(1,615,064)
433,464
(149,826)
1,229
167,290
(51,643)
(4,737)
(4,621)
465,444

(72,897)
64,739
—
(57,453)
(9,762)

35,899
19,393
(20,081)

98,928
(208,607)
(34,525)
(7,420)
(665)
550
(132)
(151,871)

127
293,619
14,942
308,561

22,511
(54,258)

1,212,644
80,203
163,111
937
14,163
38,970
(4,815)

(1,775,479)
510,657
(173,159)
(35,649)
(54,351)
68,775
(22,463)
7,508
166,761

(11,700)
15,211
—
(60,557)
(73,295)

13,976
7,515
(108,850)

290,090
(330,747)
—
(6,822)
348
1,038
(425)
(46,518)

—
11,393
3,549
14,942

23,405
91,720

$

$

$

$

932,634
85,600
99,283
—
10,863
(7,157)
2,214

(1,465,501)
456,713
(110,269)
(5,332)
(117,894)
(12,788)
(1,200)
5,639
(48,962)

—
—
89,993
(47,565)
(700,509)

16,525
6,032
(635,524)

904,956
(441,603)
—
(7,823)
1,392
4,388
(4,366)
456,944

—
(227,542)
231,091
3,549

16,344
187,709

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
56

 
 
AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1: BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

Aaron’s, Inc. (the "Company") is a leading omnichannel provider of lease-purchase solutions. As of December 31, 2016, the 
Company's operating segments are Sales and Lease Ownership, Progressive, DAMI, Franchise, and Woodhaven Furniture 
Industries.

The Sales and Lease Ownership segment offers furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories to consumers 
primarily on a month-to-month lease-to-own basis with no credit needed through the Company's Aaron's stores. Progressive is a 
virtual lease-to-own company that provides lease-purchase solutions in 46 states. It does so by purchasing merchandise from 
third-party retailers desired by those retailers’ customers and, in turn, leasing that merchandise to the customers on a lease-to-
own basis. Progressive consequently has no stores of its own, but rather offers lease-purchase solutions to the customers of 
traditional retailers. DAMI, which was acquired by Progressive on October 15, 2015, partners with merchants to provide a 
variety of revolving credit products originated through two third-party federally insured banks to customers that may not 
qualify for traditional prime lending (called "second-look" financing programs). The Franchise operation awards franchises and 
supports franchisees of its Aaron's stores. Woodhaven Furniture Industries manufactures and supplies the majority of the 
upholstered furniture and bedding leased and sold in Company-operated and franchised stores. 

On May 13, 2016, the Company sold the 82 Company-operated HomeSmart stores and ceased operations of that segment. See 
below for further discussion of the disposition.

The following table presents store count by ownership type for the Company’s store-based operations:

Stores at December 31 (Unaudited)
Company-Operated Stores

Sales and Lease Ownership - Aaron's stores

HomeSmart

Total Company-Operated Stores
Franchised Stores1
Systemwide Stores

2016

2015

2014

1,165

—

1,165

699

1,864

1,223

82

1,305

734

2,039

1,243

83

1,326

782

2,108

1The Company has awarded 749, 813 and 920 franchises as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The following table presents active doors for Progressive:

Active Doors at December 31 (Unaudited)
Progressive Active Doors1

2016

2015

2014

17,963

13,248

12,307

1 An active door is a retail store location at which at least one virtual lease-to-own transaction has been completed during the 
trailing three month period. 

Basis of Presentation

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally 
accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts 
reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 
Generally, actual experience has been consistent with management’s prior estimates and assumptions. Management does not 
believe these estimates or assumptions will change significantly in the future absent unidentified and unforeseen events.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aaron’s, Inc. and its subsidiaries, each of which is wholly owned. 
Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.

57

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Revenue Recognition

Lease Revenues and Fees

The Company provides merchandise, consisting of furniture, consumer electronics, computers, appliances and household 
accessories, to its customers for lease under certain terms agreed to by the customer. The Company's Sales and Lease 
Ownership stores offer leases with month-to-month terms that can be renewed up to 12, 18 or 24 months. The Company’s 
Progressive segment offers virtual lease-purchase solutions, typically over 12 months, to the customers of traditional retailers. 
The Company does not require deposits upon inception of customer agreements. The customer has the right to acquire 
ownership either through a purchase option or through payment of all required lease payments.

Sales and Lease Ownership lease revenues are recognized as revenue net of related sales taxes in the month they are due. Lease 
payments received prior to the month due are recorded as deferred lease revenue, and this amount is included in customer 
deposits and advance payments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. 

Progressive lease revenues are earned prior to the lease payment due date and are recorded net of related sales taxes as earned. 
Revenue recorded prior to the payment due date results in unbilled accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated 
balance sheets.

All of the Company’s customer agreements are considered operating leases. The Company maintains ownership of the lease 
merchandise until all payment obligations are satisfied under sales and lease ownership agreements. Initial direct costs related 
to the Company’s customer agreements are expensed as incurred and have been classified as operating expenses in the 
Company’s consolidated statements of earnings. The income statement effects of expensing initial direct costs as incurred are 
not materially different from amortizing initial direct costs, if deferred over the lease term.

Retail and Non-Retail Sales

Revenues from the sale of merchandise to franchisees are recognized when title and risk of ownership transfer to the franchisee 
upon its receipt of the merchandise. Revenues from the sale of merchandise to other customers are recognized at the time of 
shipment, at which time title and risk of ownership are transferred to the customer.

Substantially all of the amounts reported as non-retail sales and non-retail cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated 
statements of earnings relate to the sale of lease merchandise to franchisees. The Company classifies the sale of merchandise to 
other customers as retail sales in the consolidated statements of earnings. 

Franchise Royalties and Fees

The Company franchises its Aaron's stores in markets where the Company has no immediate plans to enter. Franchisees pay an 
ongoing royalty of either 5% or 6% of the weekly cash revenue collections.

In addition, franchisees typically pay a non-refundable initial franchise fee from $15,000 to $50,000 depending upon market 
size. Franchise fees and area development fees are generated from the sale of rights to develop, own and operate sales and lease 
ownership stores. These fees are recognized as income when substantially all of the Company’s obligations per location are 
satisfied, generally at the date of the store opening. The Company guarantees certain debt obligations of some of the franchisees 
and receives guarantee fees based on the outstanding debt obligations of such franchisees. The Company recognizes finance fee 
revenue as the guarantee obligation is satisfied. Refer to Note 9 for additional discussion of the Company’s franchise-related 
guarantee obligation.

Franchise fee revenue was $0.4 million, $0.6 million and $1.0 million; royalty revenue was $53.7 million, $57.7 million and 
$58.8 million; and finance fee revenue was $2.3 million, $2.9 million and $3.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 
2015 and 2014, respectively. Deferred franchise and area development agreement fees, included in accounts payable and 
accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, were $1.1 million and $1.6 million at December 31, 2016 
and 2015, respectively.

Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable

DAMI extends or declines credit to an applicant through its bank partners based upon the applicant’s credit rating and other 
factors. Qualifying applicants receive a credit card to finance their initial purchase and to use in subsequent purchases at the 
merchant or other participating merchants for an initial 24-month period, which DAMI may renew if the cardholder remains in 
good standing.

DAMI acquires the loan receivable from merchants through its third-party bank partners at a discount from the face value of the 
loan. The discount is comprised of a merchant fee discount and a promotional fee discount. 

58

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The merchant fee discount represents a pre-negotiated, nonrefundable discount that generally ranges from 3.5% to 25% of the 
loan face value. The discount is designed to cover the risk of loss related to the portfolio of cardholder charges and DAMI's 
direct origination costs. The merchant fee discount and origination costs are netted on the consolidated balance sheet in loans 
receivable. Cardholders generally have an initial 24-month period that the card is active. The merchant fee discount, net of the 
origination costs, is amortized on a net basis and is recorded as interest and fee revenue on loans receivable in the consolidated 
statements of earnings on a straight-line basis over the initial 24-month period. 

The discount from the face value of the loan on the acquisition of the loan receivable from the merchant through the third-party 
bank partners also includes a promotional fee discount, which generally ranges from 1% to 8%. The promotional fee discount is 
intended to compensate the holder of the loan receivable (e.g. DAMI) for deferred or reduced interest rates that are offered to 
the cardholder for a specified period on the outstanding loan balance (generally for six, 12 or 18 months). The promotional fee 
discount is amortized as interest and fee revenue on loans receivable in the consolidated statements of earnings on a straight-
line basis over the promotional interest period (i.e., over six, 12 or 18 months, depending on the promotion).

The customer is required to make periodic minimum payments that are generally 3.5% of the outstanding loan balance, which 
includes outstanding interest. Fixed and variable interest rates, typically 17.90% to 29.99%, are compounded daily for cards 
that do not qualify for deferred or reduced interest promotional periods. Interest income, which is recognized based upon the 
amount of the loans outstanding, is recognized as interest and fees on loans receivable in the billing period in which they are 
assessed if collectability is reasonably assured. For credit cards that provide for deferred or reduced interest, if the balance is 
not paid off during the promotional period, interest is billed to the customers at standard rates and the cumulative amount owed 
is charged to the cardholder account in the month that the promotional period expires or defaults. The Company recognizes 
interest revenue during the promotional period based on its historical experience related to cardholders that fail to pay off 
balances during the promotional period.

Annual fees are charged to cardholders at the commencement of the loan and on each subsequent anniversary date. Annual fees 
are deferred and recognized into revenue on a straight-line basis over a one year period. Under the provisions of the credit card 
agreements, the Company also may assess fees for service calls or for missed or late payments, which are recognized as 
revenue in the billing period in which they are assessed if collectability is reasonably assured. 

Lease Merchandise

The Company’s lease merchandise consists primarily of furniture, consumer electronics, computers, appliances and household 
accessories and is recorded at the lower of cost or market. The cost of merchandise manufactured by the Woodhaven Furniture 
Industries segment is determined using standard cost and includes overhead from production facilities, shipping costs and 
warehousing costs. The Company-operated stores depreciate merchandise to a 0% salvage value over the lease agreement 
period when on lease, generally 12 to 24 months, and generally 36 months when not on lease. The Company’s Progressive 
segment, at which substantially all merchandise is on lease, depreciates merchandise over the lease agreement period, which is 
typically over 12 months. 

The following is a summary of lease merchandise, net of accumulated depreciation and allowances:

(In Thousands)

Merchandise on Lease

Merchandise Not on Lease

Lease Merchandise, net of Accumulated Depreciation and Allowances

December 31,

2016

$

$

786,936

212,445

999,381

$

$

2015

826,872

312,066

1,138,938

The Company’s policies require weekly lease merchandise counts at its store-based operations, which include write-offs for 
unsalable, damaged, or missing merchandise inventories. In addition to daily cycle counting, full physical inventories are 
generally taken at the fulfillment and manufacturing facilities annually and appropriate provisions are made for missing, 
damaged and unsalable merchandise. In addition, the Company monitors lease merchandise levels and mix by division, store, 
and fulfillment center, as well as the average age of merchandise on hand. If unsalable lease merchandise cannot be returned to 
vendors, its carrying amount is adjusted to its net realizable value or written off.

All lease merchandise is available for lease or sale. On a monthly basis, all damaged, lost or unsalable merchandise identified is 
written off. The Company records a provision for write-offs on the allowance method, which estimates the merchandise losses 
incurred but not yet identified by management as of the end of the accounting period based on historical write-off experience. 
The provision for write-offs is included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings. 

59

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table shows the components of the allowance for lease merchandise write-offs:

(In Thousands)
Beginning Balance

Merchandise Written off, net of Recoveries
Provision for Write-offs

Ending Balance

Retail and Non-Retail Cost of Sales

Year ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

$

33,405
(134,110)
134,104
33,399

$

$

27,573
(130,548)
136,380
33,405

$

$

8,323
(80,692)
99,942
27,573

Included in cost of sales is the net book value of merchandise sold, primarily using specific identification. It is not practicable to 
allocate operating expenses between selling and lease operations.

Shipping and Handling Costs

The Company classifies shipping and handling costs as operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of 
earnings, and these costs totaled $69.9 million, $77.9 million and $81.1 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising production costs are initially recognized as a prepaid 
advertising asset and are expensed when an advertisement appears for the first time. Total advertising costs amounted to $40.8 
million, $39.3 million and $50.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and are classified 
within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings. These advertising costs are shown net of cooperative 
advertising considerations received from vendors, which represents reimbursement of specific, identifiable and incremental 
costs incurred in selling those vendors’ products. The amount of cooperative advertising consideration recorded as a 
reimbursement of such advertising expense was $22.2 million, $36.3 million and $28.3 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, 
respectively. The prepaid advertising asset was $1.2 million and $0.9 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and 
is reported within prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are more fully described in Note 12. The Company 
estimates the fair value for the options granted on the grant date using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The fair 
value of each share of restricted stock units ("RSUs"), restricted stock awards ("RSAs") and performance share units ("PSUs") 
awarded is equal to the market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.

Deferred Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes represent primarily temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and 
tax reporting purposes. The Company’s largest temporary differences arise principally from the use of accelerated depreciation 
methods on lease merchandise for tax purposes.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock 
outstanding during the period. The computation of earnings per share assuming dilution includes the dilutive effect of stock 
options, RSUs, RSAs and PSUs (collectively, "share-based awards") as determined under the treasury stock method. The 
following table shows the calculation of dilutive share-based awards:

(Shares In Thousands)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Awards
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

72,354
659
73,013

72,568
475
73,043

72,384
339
72,723

Approximately 939,000, 460,000 and 164,000 weighted-average share-based awards were excluded from the computations of 
earnings per share assuming dilution during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as the awards 
would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented. 

60

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company classifies highly liquid investments with maturity dates of three months or less when purchased as cash 
equivalents. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in a limited number of banks. Bank balances typically 
exceed coverage provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. However, due to the size and strength of the banks in 
which the balances are held, any exposure to loss is believed to be minimal.

Investments

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, investments classified as held-to-maturity securities consisted of British pound-denominated 
notes issued by Perfect Home Holdings Limited ("Perfect Home"). Perfect Home is based in the U.K. and operates 57 retail 
stores as of December 31, 2016. The Perfect Home notes, which totaled £16.6 million ($20.5 million) and £15.1 million ($22.2 
million) at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, are classified as held-to-maturity securities because the Company has the 
positive intent and ability to hold the investments to maturity. The Perfect Home notes are carried at amortized cost in 
investments in the consolidated balance sheets. During 2016, the Company amended the terms of the Perfect Home notes, 
which extended the maturity date from June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2017, increased the interest rate from 10% to 12% and 
provided the Company with a subordinated security interest in the assets of Perfect Home. The Company has estimated that the 
carrying amount of its Perfect Home notes approximates fair value and, therefore, no impairment is considered to have occurred 
as of December 31, 2016. 

Historically, the Company maintained investments in various corporate debt securities, or bonds, that were classified as held-to-
maturity securities. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company sold all of its investments in corporate bonds due 
to the Progressive acquisition. The amortized cost of the investments sold was $68.7 million, and a net realized gain of 
approximately $0.1 million was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables due from customers of Company-operated stores and Progressive, 
corporate receivables incurred during the normal course of business (primarily for in-transit credit card transactions, real estate 
leasing activities and vendor consideration) and franchisee obligations.

Accounts receivable, net of allowances, consist of the following:

(In Thousands)
Customers

Corporate

Franchisee

December 31,

2016

2015

$

$

36,227

$

26,375

33,175

35,153

26,175

52,111

95,777

$

113,439

The Company maintains an accounts receivable allowance, which primarily relates to its store-based operations and its 
Progressive operations. For the Company's store-based operations, contractually required lease payments are accrued when due; 
however, they are not always collected and customers can terminate the lease agreements at any time. For customers that do not 
pay timely, the Company's store-based operations generally focus on obtaining a return of the lease merchandise. Therefore the 
Company’s policy for its store-based operations is to accrue a provision for returns and uncollectible contractually due renewal 
payments based on historical collection experience, which is recognized as a reduction of lease revenues and fees. Store-based 
operations write-off lease receivables that are 60 days or more past due on pre-determined dates occurring twice monthly. 

The Company’s policy for its Progressive segment is to accrue for uncollected amounts due based on historical collection 
experience. The provision is recognized as bad debt expense classified in operating expenses. The Progressive segment writes 
off lease receivables that are 120 days or more contractually past due. 

The following table shows the components of the accounts receivable allowance:

(In Thousands)
Beginning Balance

Accounts Written Off
Accounts Receivable Provision

Ending Balance

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

$

34,861
(167,094)
167,923
35,690

$

$

27,401
(155,651)
163,111
34,861

$

$

7,172
(79,054)
99,283
27,401

61

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table shows the amounts recognized for bad debt expense and provision for returns and uncollected renewal 
payments for the years ended December 31:

(In Thousands)

Bad Debt Expense
Provision for Returns and Uncollected Renewal Payments

Accounts Receivable Provision

Loans Receivable

Year Ended December 31,

2016
128,333
39,590
167,923

$

2015
122,184
40,927
163,111

$

2014

60,514
38,769
99,283

$

Gross loans receivable represents the principal balances of credit card charges at DAMI's participating merchants that remain 
outstanding to cardholders, plus unpaid interest and fees due from cardholders. The allowances and unamortized fees represents 
an allowance for uncollectible amounts; merchant fee discounts, net of capitalized origination costs; promotional fee discounts; 
and deferred annual card fees. 

Loans acquired in the October 15, 2015 DAMI acquisition (the "Acquired Loans") were recorded at their estimated fair value at 
the acquisition date. The projected net cash flows from expected payments of principal, interest, fees and servicing costs and 
anticipated charge-offs were included in the determination of fair value; therefore, an allowance for loan losses and an amount 
for unamortized fees were not recognized for the Acquired Loans. The difference, or discount, between the expected cash flows 
to be received and the fair value of the Acquired Loans is accreted to revenue based on the effective interest method. At each 
period end, the Company evaluates the appropriateness of the accretable discount on the Acquired Loans based on actual and 
revised projected future cash receipts.

Losses on loans receivable are recognized when they are incurred, which requires the Company to make its best estimate of 
probable losses inherent in the portfolio. The Company evaluates loans receivable collectively for impairment. The method for 
calculating the best estimate of probable losses takes into account the Company’s historical experience, adjusted for current 
conditions and the Company's judgment concerning the probable effects of relevant observable data, trends and market factors. 
Economic conditions and loan performance trends are closely monitored to manage and evaluate exposure to credit risk. Trends 
in delinquency ratios are an indicator of credit risk within the loans receivable portfolio, including the migration of loans 
between delinquency categories over time (roll rates). Charge-off rates represent another indicator of the potential for future 
credit losses. The risk in the loans receivable portfolio is correlated with broad economic trends, such as unemployment rates, 
gross domestic product growth and gas prices, which can have a material effect on credit performance. To the extent that actual 
results differ from estimates of uncollectible loans receivable, the Company’s results of operations and liquidity could be 
materially affected.

The Company calculates the allowance for loan losses based on actual delinquency balances and historical average loss 
experience on loans receivable by aging category for the prior eight quarters. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a 
level considered adequate to cover probable losses of principal, interest and fees on active loans in the loans receivable 
portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance is evaluated at each period end. 

Delinquent loans receivable are those that are 30 days or more past due based on their contractual billing dates. The Company 
places loans receivable on nonaccrual status when they are greater than 90 days past due or upon notification of cardholder 
bankruptcy, death or fraud. The Company discontinues accruing interest and fees and amortizing deferred merchant fees (net of 
origination costs) and promotional fees for loans receivable in nonaccrual status. Loans receivable are removed from 
nonaccrual status when cardholder payments resume, the loan becomes less than 90 days past due and collection of the 
remaining amounts outstanding is deemed probable. Payments received on nonaccrual loans are allocated according to the same 
payment hierarchy methodology applied to loans that are accruing interest. Loans receivable are charged off at the end of the 
month following the billing cycle in which the loans receivable become 120 days past due.

62

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAMI extends or declines credit to an applicant through its bank partners based upon the applicant’s credit rating. Below is a 
summary of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 by Fair Issac and Company 
(FICO) score as determined at the time of loan origination:

FICO Score Category
600 or Less

Between 600 and 700

700 or Greater

Property, Plant and Equipment

December 31,

2016

2015

1.8%

78.1%

20.1%

1.1%

79.8%

19.1%

The Company records property, plant and equipment at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed on a straight-line 
basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which range from five to 40 years for buildings and improvements 
and from one to 15 years for other depreciable property and equipment. 

Costs incurred to develop software for internal use are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software, 
which ranges from five to 10 years. The Company primarily develops software for use in its store-based operations. The 
Company uses an agile development methodology in which feature-by-feature updates are made to its software. Costs are 
capitalized when management, with the relevant authority, authorizes and commits to funding a feature update and it is 
probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. Capitalization of 
costs ceases when the feature update is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Generally, the life cycle for each 
feature update implementation is one month. 

Gains and losses related to dispositions and retirements are recognized as incurred. Maintenance and repairs are also expensed 
as incurred; renewals on capital leases and improvements are capitalized. Depreciation expense for property, plant and 
equipment is included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings and was $53.6 million, 
$52.0 million and $53.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Amortization of 
previously capitalized internal use software development costs, which is a component of depreciation expense for property, 
plant and equipment, was $9.2 million, $7.4 million and $5.4 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 
2014, respectively.

The Company assesses its long-lived assets other than goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment 
whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. If it is determined that the 
carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable, the Company compares the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value as 
estimated using discounted expected future cash flows, market values or replacement values for similar assets. The amount by 
which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset, if any, is recognized as an impairment loss.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following:

(In Thousands)

Prepaid Expenses

Assets Held for Sale

Deferred Tax Asset

Other Assets

Assets Held for Sale

December 31,

2016

2015

$

75,485

$

8,866

5,912

18,881

76,118

6,976

—

19,657

$

109,144

$

102,751

Certain properties, consisting of parcels of land and commercial buildings, met the held for sale classification criteria as of 
December 31, 2016 and 2015. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less estimated 
cost to sell and are classified within prepaid expenses and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Depreciation is 
suspended on assets upon classification to held for sale.

63

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The carrying amount of the properties held for sale as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $8.9 million and $7.0 million, 
respectively. The Company estimated the fair values of real estate properties using the market values for similar properties. 
These properties are considered Level 2 assets as defined below.

The Company recorded impairment charges on assets held for sale of $5.8 million, $0.5 million and $0.8 million during the 
years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The impairment charges are generally included in other operating 
(income) expense, net within the consolidated statements of earnings. These impairment charges related to the sale of the net 
assets of the HomeSmart disposal group in May 2016 as described below, as well as the impairment of various parcels of land 
and buildings that the Company decided not to utilize for future expansion. 

On May 13, 2016, the Company sold its 82 remaining Company-operated HomeSmart stores for $35.0 million and ceased 
operations of that segment. The cash proceeds are recorded in proceeds from dispositions of businesses and contracts, net in the 
consolidated statements of cash flows. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized a loss of $4.3 
million on the disposition which is recorded in other operating (income) expense, net in the consolidated statements of earnings. 
The sale does not represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results and 
therefore the HomeSmart segment has not been classified as discontinued operations. The Company recorded additional 
charges of $1.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily related to the write-down to fair value, less 
estimated selling costs, of certain HomeSmart assets classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2016.

The disposal of assets held for sale resulted in the recognition of net gains of $11.4 million in 2016 and net losses of $0.8 
million in 2014. Gains and losses on the disposal of assets held for sale were not significant in 2015. 

On January 29, 2016, the Company sold its corporate headquarters building for cash of $13.6 million, resulting in a gain of 
$11.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2016. The cash proceeds are recorded in proceeds from sales of property, plant 
and equipment in the consolidated statements of cash flows and the gain is recorded in other operating (income) expense, net in 
the consolidated statements of earnings.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the identifiable net tangible and intangible 
assets acquired in connection with business acquisitions. Impairment occurs when the carrying amount of goodwill is not 
recoverable from future cash flows. The Company’s goodwill is not amortized but is subject to an impairment test at the 
reporting unit level annually as of October 1 and more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have 
occurred. Factors which could necessitate an interim impairment assessment include a sustained decline in the Company’s stock 
price, prolonged negative industry or economic trends and significant underperformance relative to historical or projected 
future operating results. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2016 and determined 
that no impairment had occurred. The Company determined that there were no events that occurred or circumstances that 
changed in the fourth quarter of 2016 that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying 
amount.

Other Intangibles

Other intangibles include customer relationships, non-compete agreements and franchise development rights acquired in 
connection with store-based business acquisitions. The customer relationship intangible asset is amortized on a straight-line 
basis over a two-year estimated useful life. The non-compete intangible asset is amortized on a straight-line basis over the life 
of the agreement (generally one to three years). Acquired franchise development rights are amortized on a straight-line basis 
over the unexpired life of the franchisee’s ten year area development agreement.

Other intangibles also include the identifiable intangible assets acquired as a result of the DAMI and Progressive acquisitions, 
which the Company recorded at the estimated fair value as of the respective acquisition dates. As more fully described in Note 
2 to these consolidated financial statements, the Company amortizes the definite-lived intangible assets acquired as a result of 
the DAMI acquisition on a straight-line basis over five years. The Company amortizes the definite-lived intangible assets 
acquired as a result of the Progressive acquisition on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from one to three years for 
customer lease contracts and internal use software and ten to 12 years for technology and merchant relationships. 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets represent the value of trade names and trademarks acquired as part of the Progressive 
acquisition. At the date of acquisition, the Company determined that no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or 
other factors limit the useful life of the trade name and trademark intangible asset and, therefore, the useful life is considered 
indefinite. The Company reassesses this conclusion quarterly and continues to believe the useful life of this asset is indefinite. 

64

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are subject to an impairment test annually and when events or 
circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. The Company performs the impairment test for its indefinite-lived 
intangible assets on October 1 by comparing the asset’s fair value to its carrying amount. The Company estimates the fair value 
based on projected discounted future cash flows under a relief from royalty method. An impairment charge is recognized if the 
asset’s estimated fair value is less than its carrying amount.

The Company completed its indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test as of October 1, 2016 and determined that no 
impairment had occurred.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:

(In Thousands)

Accounts Payable

Accrued Insurance Costs

Accrued Salaries and Benefits

Accrued Real Estate and Sales Taxes

Deferred Rent

Other Accrued Expenses and Liabilities

Insurance Reserves

December 31,

2016

2015

$

71,941

$

47,649

41,612

32,986

31,859

71,719

98,655

55,411

47,939

32,952

25,110

83,606

$

297,766

$

343,673

Estimated insurance reserves are accrued primarily for workers compensation, vehicle liability, general liability and group 
health insurance benefits provided to the Company’s employees. Estimates for these insurance reserves are made based on 
actual reported but unpaid claims and actuarial analysis of the projected claims run off for both reported and incurred but not 
reported claims. This analysis is based upon an assessment of the likely outcome or historical experience. The Company makes 
periodic prepayments to its insurance carrier to cover the projected claims run off for both reported and incurred but not 
reported claims, considering its retention or stop loss limits. The Company made a reclassification to the December 31, 2015 
balance sheet to record the estimated insurance coverage in excess of the stop-loss policy limits and to reflect certain 
prepayments to the insurance carrier as a prepaid and other asset and the related gross insurance reserve as accounts payable 
and accrued expenses, rather than presenting them on a net basis. 

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company accrues for asset retirement obligations, which relate to expected costs to remove exterior signage, in the period 
in which the obligations are incurred. These costs are accrued at fair value. When the related liability is initially recorded, the 
Company capitalizes the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is 
accreted to its settlement value and updated for changes in estimates. Upon settlement of the liability, the Company recognizes 
a gain or loss for any differences between the settlement amount and the liability recorded. Asset retirement obligations, which 
are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets, amounted to approximately $2.5 
million and $2.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life 
of the related asset.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction 
between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following 
hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:

Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for 
similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that 
are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3—Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting the Company's own assumptions, consistent with 
reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.

65

 
 
 
AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company measures assets held for sale at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and records impairment charges when they are 
deemed to be impaired. The Company maintains certain financial assets and liabilities, including investments and fixed-rate 
long term debt, that are not measured at fair value but for which fair value is disclosed.

The fair values of the Company’s other current financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts 
receivable and accounts payable, approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. The fair value for the loans 
receivable, net of allowances, and the revolving credit borrowings also approximate their carrying amounts.

Foreign Currency

The financial statements of the Company's Canadian subsidiary are translated from the Canadian dollar to U.S. dollars using 
month-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange for revenues, costs and expenses. 
Translation gains and losses of the subsidiary are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of 
shareholders’ equity. 

Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses are recorded as a component of other non-operating expense in the 
consolidated statements of earnings and were losses of approximately $3.7 million, $2.5 million and $2.3 million for the years 
ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted

Debt Issuance Costs. In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 
("ASU") No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires 
debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability rather than as a 
separate asset. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those 
fiscal years. The Company adopted this ASU retrospectively in the first quarter of 2016 and as a result unamortized debt 
issuance costs of $3.7 million at December 31, 2015, previously recognized as an asset in prepaid expenses and other assets, are 
now classified as a direct deduction from debt in the consolidated balance sheet as of that date.

Measurement-Period Adjustments. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for 
Measurement-Period Adjustments. ASU 2015-16 eliminates the requirement that an acquirer in a business combination account 
for a measurement-period adjustment retrospectively. Instead, acquirers must recognize measurement-period adjustments 
during the period in which they determine the adjustment amounts. The adjustment amounts must include the effect on earnings 
of any amounts the acquirer would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition 
date. ASU 2015-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal 
years. ASU 2015-16 is applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date. That is, 
ASU 2015-16 applies to open measurement periods, regardless of the acquisition date. The Company adopted this standard in 
the first quarter of 2016 and applied it to the measurement period adjustments related to the DAMI acquisition. See Note 2 for 
more information.

Pending adoption

Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 
replaces substantially all existing revenue recognition guidance with a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model that 
requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers at the amount to 
which it expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional 
disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, 
including significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a 
contract. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt ASU 2014-09, and, as a 
result of a subsequent update, it will be effective in annual reporting periods, and interim periods within that period, beginning 
after December 15, 2017. In 2016, the FASB issued additional updates to the revenue recognition guidance in ASU 2014-09 
related to principal versus agent assessments, identifying performance obligations, the accounting for licenses, certain narrow 
scope improvements, practical expedients and technical corrections. The Company is in the final stages of evaluating the effects 
of adopting ASU 2014-09 and preliminarily determined that it will have no material impact on the consolidated financial 
statements as a majority of the Company’s revenue generating activities are leasing arrangements and are outside the scope of 
this standard. The Company intends to apply the full retrospective approach upon adoption in the first quarter of 2018.

66

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which would require lessees to recognize assets and 
liabilities for most leases and would change certain aspects of today’s lessor accounting, among other things. ASU 2016-02 is 
effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Companies must 
use a modified retrospective approach to adopt ASU 2016-02. A majority of the Company's revenue generating activities will be 
within the scope of ASU 2016-02. The Company has preliminarily determined that the new standard will not materially impact 
the timing of revenue recognition. The new standard will impact the Company as a lessee by requiring substantially all of its 
operating leases to be recognized on the balance sheet as a right-to-use asset and lease liability. The Company is currently 
quantifying the impacts of its operating leases to the consolidated financial statements, as well as evaluating the other impacts 
of adopting ASU 2016-02. The Company intends to adopt the new standard in the first quarter of 2019.  

Share-Based Payments. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment 
Accounting. The objective of the update is to simplify the accounting for employee share-based awards by, among other things, 
requiring companies to recognize the excess income tax effects of awards in earnings when they are settled, providing 
companies with an option to recognize forfeitures in earnings as they occur, and clarifying certain guidance on classification of 
awards as either equity or liabilities and classification of tax payment activity on the statements of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is 
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early 
adoption permitted. The Company adopted the standard effective January 1, 2017 and believes that the impact to the financial 
statements will not be material.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on 
Financial Instruments. The main objective of the update is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful 
information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by 
companies at each reporting date. For trade and other receivables, held to maturity debt securities and other instruments, 
companies will be required to use a new forward-looking "expected losses" model that generally will result in the recognition of 
allowances for losses earlier than under current accounting guidance. The standard will be adopted on a prospective basis with a 
cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is 
effective. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption 
permitted. The Company has not yet determined the potential effects of adopting ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated financial 
statements.

Business Combinations. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The objective 
of the update is to add guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions 
(or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, 
disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. Companies must use a prospective approach to adopt ASU 2017-01, which is effective 
for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not yet 
determined the potential effects of adopting ASU 2017-01 on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2: ACQUISITIONS

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, cash payments, net of cash acquired, related to the acquisitions of 
businesses and contracts were $9.8 million,  $73.3 million and $700.5 million, respectively. Cash payments made during the 
year ended December 31, 2015 principally relate to the DAMI acquisition as described below. Cash payments made during the 
year ended December 31, 2014 principally relate to the Progressive acquisition as described below. 

Acquisitions have been accounted for as business combinations and the results of operations of the acquired businesses are 
included in the Company’s results of operations from their dates of acquisition. The results of DAMI and Progressive have been 
presented as reportable segments from their October 15, 2015 and April 14, 2014 acquisition dates, respectively. Refer to Note 
13 for more information on their revenues and earnings before income taxes since their respective acquisition dates. The effect 
of the Company’s other acquisitions on the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 
2014 was not significant. 

67

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAMI Acquisition

On October 15, 2015, Progressive acquired a 100% ownership interest in DAMI for a total purchase price of $54.9 million, 
inclusive of cash acquired of $4.2 million. Together with Progressive, DAMI allows the Company to provide retail and 
merchant partners with one source for financing and leasing transactions with below-prime customers. The following table 
presents the summary of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, as well as the acquisition 
accounting adjustments. The final acquisition accounting adjustments did not have a significant effect on the consolidated 
statements of earnings.

(In Thousands)
Purchase Price

Estimated Fair Value of Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities
Assumed

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Loans Receivable3
Receivables

Property, Plant and Equipment
Other Intangibles4
Income Tax Receivable

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Deferred Income Tax Assets

Total Identifiable Assets Acquired

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Debt

Total Liabilities Assumed

Goodwill
Net Assets Acquired

Amounts 
Recognized as of 
Acquisition Date1

Acquisition 
Accounting 
Adjustments2

Amounts
Recognized as of
Acquisition Date
(as adjusted)

$

54,900

$

— $

54,900

4,185

89,186

45

2,754

3,400

728

671

375

101,344
(1,709)
(45,025)
(46,734)
290
54,900

$

—
(60)
—

—
(500)
—

—

2,115

1,555
(1,265)
—
(1,265)
(290)

$

— $

4,185

89,126

45

2,754

2,900

728

671

2,490

102,899

(2,974)

(45,025)

(47,999)
—
54,900

1 As previously reported in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
2 The acquisition accounting adjustments primarily relate to the resolution of certain income tax-related matters and 
contingencies that existed as of the acquisition date.
3 Contractually required amounts due at the acquisition date were $94.2 million.
4 Identifiable intangible assets are further disaggregated in the table below.

The intangible assets attributable to the DAMI acquisition are comprised of the following:

Technology

Non-compete Agreements

Total Acquired Intangible Assets

Fair Value 
(in thousands)

Weighted Average Life
(in years)

$

$

2,550

350

2,900

5.0

5.0

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company incurred $3.7 million of transaction costs in connection with the 
acquisition of DAMI. These costs were included in the line item operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings. 
In addition, the Company incurred approximately $0.4 million in debt financing costs related to the assumed debt, which was 
recorded as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability in the consolidated balance sheets.

68

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Progressive Acquisition

On April 14, 2014, the Company acquired a 100% ownership interest in Progressive, a leading virtual lease-to-own company, 
for a total purchase price of $705.8 million, inclusive of cash acquired of $5.8 million. Progressive provides lease-to-own 
solutions in 46 states. The acquisition of Progressive provided the Company with expansion into the virtual lease-to-own 
marketplace through Progressive's wide network of retail partners.

The following table details the sources of cash for the purchase price of the Company’s acquisition of Progressive:

(In Thousands)

Proceeds from Private Placement Note Issuance

Proceeds from Term Loan

Proceeds from Revolving Credit Facility

Cash Consideration

Deferred Cash Consideration

Purchase Price

$

300,000

126,250

65,000

185,454

29,106

$

705,810

Refer to Note 7 for additional information regarding the debt incurred to partially finance the Progressive acquisition.

The initial deferred cash consideration had amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2016 of $0.7 million in withheld escrow 
accounts.

The purchase price includes a primary escrow of $35.8 million to secure indemnification obligations of the sellers relating to 
the accuracy of representations, warranties and the satisfaction of covenants. As of December 31, 2016, primary escrow funds 
of $8.5 million have been withheld to cover pending litigation. 

In addition, the purchase price includes a secondary escrow of $15.8 million to secure indemnification obligations of the sellers 
relating to certain acquired tax-related contingent liabilities. The Company believes that $13.4 million is fully recoverable from 
the secondary escrow account and included this indemnification asset as a receivable in the Company's acquisition accounting.  
As of December 31, 2016, $11.4 million had been distributed to the Company. Any remaining undisputed balance is payable to 
the sellers by April 14, 2017. 

69

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the summary of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the April 14, 2014 acquisition 
date, as well as the acquisition adjustments.

(In Thousands)
Purchase Price

Estimated Fair Value of Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities
Assumed

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Receivables2, 3
Lease Merchandise2
Property, Plant and Equipment
Other Intangibles4
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Total Identifiable Assets Acquired
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses2
Deferred Income Taxes Payable2
Customer Deposits and Advance Payments

Total Liabilities Assumed

Goodwill5
Net Assets Acquired

Amounts 
Recognized as of 
Acquisition Date 
(as adjusted)1

Acquisition 
Accounting 
Adjustments2

Amounts
Recognized as of
Acquisition Date
(as adjusted)

$

705,810

$

— $

705,810

5,810

27,581

141,185

4,010

325,000

893

504,479
(29,104)
(48,749)
(10,000)
(87,853)
289,184

—
(4,245)
110

—

—

—
(4,135)
3,049
(335)
—

2,714
1,421

$

705,810

$

— $

5,810

23,336

141,295

4,010

325,000

893

500,344
(26,055)

(49,084)

(10,000)

(85,139)
290,605

705,810

1 As previously reported in the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which includes the effects of certain acquisition accounting adjustments 
recognized in 2014.
2 The acquisition accounting adjustments recognized in 2015 related to the resolution of income tax uncertainties and sales tax 
exposures, which also impacted the fair value estimates of receivables and lease merchandise related to the secondary escrow 
amount, subsequent to the acquisition date.
3 Receivables include $13.4 million related to the secondary escrow amount, which the Company expects to recover prior to 
April 14, 2017. The gross amount due under customer-related receivables acquired was $22.7 million, of which $10.9 million 
was expected to be uncollectible.
4 Identifiable intangible assets are further disaggregated in the following table.
5 The total goodwill recognized in conjunction with the Progressive acquisition has been assigned to the Progressive operating 
segment. Of the goodwill recognized as part of this acquisition, $247.0 million is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. 
The primary reasons the purchase price of the acquisition exceeded the fair value of the net assets acquired, which resulted in 
the recognition of goodwill, is related to synergistic value created from the combination of Progressive’s virtual customer 
payment capabilities with the Company’s leading traditional lease-to-own model. Goodwill also includes certain other 
intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition, such as an assembled workforce.

70

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The intangible assets attributable to the Progressive acquisition are comprised of the following:

Internal Use Software

Technology

Trade Names and Trademarks

Customer Lease Contracts

Merchant Relationships

Total Acquired Intangible Assets1

Fair Value 
(in thousands)

Weighted Average Life 
(in years)

$

$

14,000

66,000

53,000

11,000

181,000

325,000

3.0

10.0

Indefinite

1.0

12.0

1 Acquired definite-lived intangible assets have a total weighted average life of 10.6 years.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company incurred $6.6 million of transaction costs in connection with the 
acquisition of Progressive. These costs were included in the line item "Progressive-related transaction costs" in the consolidated 
statements of earnings. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company incurred $2.3 million in debt 
financing costs related to the $491.3 million of new indebtedness incurred to partially finance the acquisition, which has been 
recorded as a deduction from the corresponding debt liability in the consolidated balance sheets.

Pro Forma Financial Information

The following table presents unaudited consolidated pro forma information as if the acquisition of Progressive had occurred on 
January 1, 2013:

(In Thousands)
Revenues
Net Earnings

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014

As Reported

Pro Forma

$

2,695,033
78,233

$

2,851,631
86,038

The unaudited pro forma financial information presented above does not purport to represent what the actual results of the 
Company's operations would have been if the acquisition of Progressive had occurred on January 1, 2013, nor is it indicative of 
future performance. The unaudited pro forma financial information does not reflect the impact of future events that may occur 
after the acquisition, including, but not limited to, anticipated cost savings from operating synergies.

The unaudited pro forma financial information presented in the table above has been adjusted to give effect to adjustments that 
are (1) directly related to the business combination; (2) factually supportable; and (3) expected to have a continuing impact. 
These adjustments include, but are not limited to, amortization related to fair value adjustments to intangible assets and the 
adjustment of interest expense to reflect the additional borrowings of the Company in conjunction with the acquisition.

NOTE 3: GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes information related to indefinite-lived intangible assets at December 31:

(In Thousands)

Trade Names and Trademarks

Goodwill

Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets

2016

53,000

526,723

579,723

$

$

2015

53,000

539,475

592,475

$

$

71

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table provides information related to the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment:

(In Thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2015

Acquisitions

Disposals

Acquisition Accounting Adjustments

Balance at December 31, 2015

Acquisitions

Disposals, Currency Translation and Other
Adjustments

Acquisition Accounting Adjustments

Sales and Lease
Ownership

Progressive

DAMI

HomeSmart

Total

$

226,828

$ 289,184

$

— $

14,658

$ 530,670

9,529
(2,506)

—

—

—

1,421

233,851

290,605

4,345

—

(444)
170

(1,804)
—

290

—

—

290

—

—
(290)

229
(158)

—

10,048
(2,664)

1,421

14,729

539,475

—

4,345

(14,729)
—

(16,977)
(120)
— $ 526,723

Balance at December 31, 2016

$

237,922

$ 288,801

$

— $

Definite-Lived Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes information related to definite-lived intangible assets at December 31:

(In Thousands)

Internal Use Software

Technology

Merchant Relationships
Other Intangibles1
Total

2016

Accumulated
Amortization

Gross

Net

Gross

2015

Accumulated
Amortization

$

14,000

$

68,550

181,000

6,581

$ 270,131

$

1,335

50,021

(12,665) $
(18,529)
(40,934)
(3,331)
3,250
(75,459) $ 194,672

140,066

$

14,000

$

68,550

181,000

7,383

$ 270,933

(7,998) $
(11,419)
(25,851)
(2,753)

4,630
$ (48,021) $ 222,912

Net

6,002

57,131

155,149

1 Other intangibles primarily includes customer relationships, non-compete agreements and franchise development rights.

Total amortization expense of definite-lived intangible assets, included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated 
statements of earnings, was $28.8 million, $28.2 million and $31.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 
and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, estimated future amortization expense for the next five years related to 
definite-lived intangible assets is as follows:

(In Thousands)

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

$

25,031

22,795

22,549

22,357

21,837

72

 
AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table summarizes financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

(In Thousands)
Deferred Compensation Liability

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$

— $ (11,978) $

— $

— $ (11,576) $

—

December 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan as described in Note 16 to these consolidated financial statements. The 
liability representing benefits accrued for plan participants is valued at the quoted market prices of the participants’ investment 
elections, which consist of equity and debt "mirror" funds. As such, the Company has classified the deferred compensation 
liability as a Level 2 liability. 

Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The following table summarizes non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

(In Thousands)
Assets Held for Sale

December 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$

— $

8,866

$

— $

— $

6,976

$

—

Assets classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell, and any 
adjustment is recorded in other operating (income) expense, net in the consolidated statements of earnings. The highest and best 
use of the assets held for sale is as real estate land parcels for development or real estate properties for use or lease; however, 
the Company has chosen not to develop or use these properties. 

Certain Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value

The following table summarizes the fair value of assets (liabilities) that are not measured at fair value in the consolidated 
balance sheets, but for which the fair value is disclosed:

(In Thousands)
Perfect Home Notes 1
Fixed-Rate Long Term Debt 2

December 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$

— $
— (368,408)

— $

20,519

$

—

— $
— (395,618)

— $

22,226

—

1  The Perfect Home notes are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company periodically reviews the carrying 

amount utilizing company-specific transactions or changes in Perfect Home's financial performance to determine if the notes 
are impaired.

2  The fair value of fixed-rate long term debt is estimated using the present value of underlying cash flows discounted at a 

current market yield for similar instruments. The carrying amount of fixed-rate long term debt was $350.0 million and $375.0 
million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

73

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 5: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The following is a summary of the Company’s property, plant, and equipment:

(In Thousands)
Land
Buildings and Improvements
Leasehold Improvements and Signs
Fixtures and Equipment1
Assets Under Capital Leases:
with Related Parties
with Unrelated Parties

Construction in Progress

Less: Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization

December 31,

2016

2015

22,843
69,935
75,786
247,565

10,573
11,063
4,568
442,333
(231,062)
211,271

$

$

24,300
76,982
98,435
223,382

10,573
11,063
3,853
448,588
(222,752)
225,836

$

$

1  Includes internal-use software development costs of $73.0 million and $60.7 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, 

respectively. Accumulated amortization of internal-use software development costs amounted to $31.1 million and 
$22.2 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Amortization expense on assets recorded under capital leases is included in operating expenses and was $1.7 million in the 
years ended 2016, 2015 and 2014. Capital leases primarily consist of buildings and improvements. Assets under capital leases 
with related parties included $9.0 million and $8.0 million in accumulated depreciation and amortization as of December 31, 
2016 and 2015, respectively. Assets under capital leases with unrelated parties included $6.9 million and $6.3 million in 
accumulated depreciation and amortization as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

74

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6: LOANS RECEIVABLE

The following is a summary of the Company’s loans receivable, net:

(In Thousands)
Credit Card Loans

Acquired Loans

Loans Receivable, Gross

Allowance for Loan Losses

Unamortized Fees

Loans Receivable, Net of Allowances and Unamortized Fees

Included in the table below is an aging of the loans receivable, gross balance:

(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
1
Aging Category

30-59 Days Past Due

60-89 Days Past Due

90 or more Days Past Due

Past Due Loans Receivable

Current Loans Receivable

Balance of Credit Card Loans on Nonaccrual Status

Balance of Loans Receivable 90 or More Days Past Due and Still Accruing Interest and
Fees

$

$

$

December 31,

2016

2015

$

64,794

$

33,840

98,634

(6,624)
(7,206)
84,804

$

13,900

74,866

88,766

(937)
(2,034)
85,795

December 31,

2016

2015

6.8%

3.2%

4.3%

14.3%

85.7%

1,072

$

— $

7.9%

3.3%

4.1%

15.3%

84.7%

—

—

1 This aging is based on the contractual amounts outstanding for each loan as of period end, and does not reflect the fair value 
adjustments for the Acquired Loans. 

The table below presents the components of the allowance for loan losses:

(In Thousands)
Beginning Balance1

Provision for Loan Losses
Charge-offs

Recoveries

Ending Balance

December 31,

2016

2015

$

$

937

$

11,251
(5,675)
111

6,624

$

—

937

—

—

937

 1 The Company acquired DAMI on October 15, 2015 and recorded $89.1 million of loans receivable as of the acquisition date. 
No corresponding allowance for loan losses was recorded as the loans receivable were established at fair value in acquisition 
accounting. 

75

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 7: INDEBTEDNESS

Following is a summary of the Company’s debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs:

(In Thousands) 1
DAMI Credit Facility
Revolving Facility
Senior Unsecured Notes, 3.95%, Due in Installments through April 2018
Term Loan, Due in Installments through December 2019
Senior Unsecured Notes, 4.75%, Due in Installments through April 2021

Capital Lease Obligation:
with Related Parties
with Unrelated Parties

Total Debt

Less: Current Maturities
Long-Term Debt

December 31,

2016

2015

47,302
—
49,975
94,626
299,562

3,095
3,269
497,829
146,515
351,314

$

$

41,409
73,232
74,956
108,393
299,462

4,703
4,591
606,746
156,235
450,511

$

$

1 Total debt as of December 31, 2016 includes unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.9 million. The Company retrospectively 
adopted ASU 2015-03 in the first quarter of 2016, which resulted in the reclassification of unamortized debt issuance costs of 
$3.7 million from prepaid and other expenses to a direct reduction from debt in the consolidated balance sheet as of 
December 31, 2015.

DAMI Credit Facility 

In connection with the October 15, 2015 acquisition of DAMI, the Company assumed the loan and security agreement, dated as 
of May 18, 2011 (as amended), which provides for a secured revolving credit facility in an amount not to exceed $85.0 million 
in outstanding principal balance (the "DAMI credit facility"). In addition, the loan and security agreement includes an 
uncommitted incremental facility increase option (an "accordion facility") which, subject to certain terms and conditions, 
permits DAMI at any time prior to the maturity date to request an increase in extensions of credit available thereunder by an 
aggregate additional principal amount of up to $25.0 million. 

On June 30, 2016, DAMI, and HC Recovery, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of DAMI, entered into the twelfth amendment 
(the "Twelfth Amendment") to the DAMI credit facility. The Twelfth Amendment amends the DAMI credit facility to, among 
other things, (i) remove the financial covenant that requires DAMI to maintain a certain earnings before income taxes, 
depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) ratio, (ii) include a financial covenant that requires DAMI to meet certain trailing 
twelve month and fiscal quarter EBITDA thresholds, (iii) include a minimum tangible net worth requirement for DAMI, and 
(iv) include a financial covenant that DAMI shall maintain a monthly Cash Collection Percentage (as defined in the DAMI 
credit facility) of greater than or equal to 5.0%. The Twelfth Amendment also amends the definition of "Permitted 
Indebtedness" in the DAMI credit facility to include non-interest bearing debt owed to the Company and certain of its affiliates 
under certain circumstances. 

The DAMI credit facility includes financial covenants that, among other things, require DAMI to maintain a senior debt to 
capital base ratio of not more than 2.0 to 1.0. Furthermore, the DAMI credit facility restricts DAMI's ability to transfer funds by 
limiting intercompany dividends to an amount not to exceed the amount of capital the Company has invested in DAMI. The 
aggregate amount of such dividends made in a calendar year are limited to 75% of DAMI's net income for the immediately 
preceding calendar year. If the Company fails to comply with these covenants, the Company will be in default under these 
agreements, and all amounts could become due immediately. The Company is in compliance with these covenants at 
December 31, 2016. 

As amended, borrowings under the DAMI credit facility bear interest at 4.375% plus one-month LIBOR, provided that the 
applicable margin will increase by 0.25% if Monthly Excess Availability (as defined in the DAMI credit facility) is less than 
20%. The interest rate for secured revolving credit borrowings as of December 31, 2016 was 5.00%. As of December 31, 2016, 
$7.6 million was available for borrowing under the DAMI credit facility.

The DAMI credit facility is currently set to mature on October 15, 2017 and contains representations, warranties and covenants 
consistent with those of other facilities of similar size and type. Collateral under the loan and security agreement is limited to 
the assets and operations of DAMI.

76

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAMI pays a non-refundable monthly unused line fee on the line of credit which ranges from 0.5% to 0.75% as determined by 
DAMI's average daily unused commitments. 

Revolving Credit Agreement and Term Loan

The revolving credit and term loan agreement, which expires December 9, 2019, permits the Company to borrow, subject to 
certain terms and conditions, on an unsecured basis up to $225.0 million in revolving loans. The revolving credit and term loan 
agreement also provides for an accordion facility that permits the Company at any time prior to the maturity date to request an 
increase in credit extensions thereunder (whether through additional term loans and/or revolving credit commitments or any 
combination thereof) by an aggregate additional principal amount of up to $200.0 million, with such additional credit 
extensions provided by one or more lenders thereunder at their sole discretion. 

The revolving credit borrowings and term loans bear interest at the lower of the lender's prime rate or one-month LIBOR plus a 
margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.25% as determined by the Company's ratio of total debt to EBITDA, and interest is payable 
quarterly. The interest rate for revolving credit borrowings and term loans outstanding as of December 31, 2016 was 2.52%. For 
the term loan facility, as amended, installment payments of $3.1 million commenced on December 31, 2014 and are due 
quarterly, with the remaining unpaid principal balance due at maturity on December 9, 2019.

The Company pays a commitment fee on unused balances, which ranges from 0.15% to 0.30% as determined by the Company's 
ratio of total debt to EBITDA. As of December 31, 2016, $225.0 million was available for borrowings under the revolving 
credit agreement.

The revolving credit and term loan agreement, senior unsecured notes discussed below and franchise loan program discussed in 
Note 9 contain financial covenants. These covenants include requirements that the Company maintain ratios of (i) EBITDA 
plus lease expense to fixed charges of no less than 2.00 to 1.00 and (ii) total debt to EBITDA of no greater than 3.00 to 1.00. In 
each case, EBITDA refers to the Company’s consolidated net income before interest and tax expense, depreciation (other than 
lease merchandise depreciation), amortization expense and other non-cash charges, and it excludes the results of DAMI. 

If the Company fails to comply with these covenants, the Company will be in default under these agreements, and all amounts 
could become due immediately. Under the Company’s revolving credit and term loan agreement, senior unsecured notes and 
franchise loan program, the Company may pay cash dividends in any year so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the 
dividend payment, the Company maintains compliance with its financial covenants and no event of default has occurred or 
would result from the payment.

At December 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all covenants related to the revolving credit and term loan 
agreement, senior unsecured notes and franchise loan program.

Senior Unsecured Notes

2011 Note Purchase Agreement

Pursuant to the note purchase agreement dated as of July 5, 2011, as amended, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries as 
co-obligors previously issued $125.0 million in senior unsecured notes to the purchasers in a private placement. The notes bear 
interest at a rate of 3.95% per year and mature on April 27, 2018. Payments of interest commenced on July 27, 2011 and are due 
quarterly, and principal payments of $25.0 million commenced on April 27, 2014 and are due annually until maturity. 

On April 14, 2014, the Company entered into the third amendment which revised the 2011 note purchase agreement to, among 
other things, replace the interest rate of 3.75% per year with an interest rate of 3.95% commencing April 28, 2014, conform the 
covenants, representations, warranties and events of default to the changes reflected in the revolving credit and term loan 
agreement, to contemplate the acquisition of Progressive and to authorize the new 2014 senior unsecured notes.

2014 Note Purchase Agreements

On April 14, 2014, the Company entered into note purchase agreements, as amended, pursuant to which the Company and 
certain of its subsidiaries as co-obligors issued $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes in a 
private placement. The notes bear interest at the rate of 4.75% per year and mature on April 14, 2021. Payments of interest are 
due quarterly, commencing July 14, 2014, with principal payments of $60.0 million each due annually commencing April 14, 
2017. 

On September 21, 2015, the Company entered into the fifth amendment to the 2011 note purchase agreement and the second 
amendment to the 2014 note purchase agreements to, among other things, exclude DAMI financial information from the 
calculation of financial debt covenants. 

77

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Capital Leases with Related Parties 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had 19 remaining capital leases with a limited liability company ("LLC") controlled by 
a group of current and former executives of the Company. In October and November 2004, the Company sold 11 properties, 
including leasehold improvements, to the LLC. The LLC obtained borrowings collateralized by the land and buildings totaling 
$6.8 million. The Company occupies the land and buildings collateralizing the borrowings under a 15-year term lease, with a 
five-year renewal at the Company’s option, at an aggregate annual rental of $0.8 million. The transaction has been accounted 
for as a capital lease in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The rate of interest implicit in the leases is 
approximately 9.7%. Accordingly, the land and buildings, associated depreciation expense and lease obligations are recorded in 
the Company’s consolidated financial statements. No gain or loss was recognized related to the properties sold to the LLC.

In December 2002, the Company sold 10 properties, including leasehold improvements, to the LLC. The LLC obtained 
borrowings collateralized by the land and buildings totaling $5.0 million. The Company occupies the land and buildings 
collateralizing the borrowings under a 15-year term lease at an aggregate annual rental of approximately $1.2 million. The 
transaction has been accounted for as a capital lease in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The rate of interest 
implicit in the leases is approximately 10.1%. Accordingly, the land and buildings, associated depreciation expense and lease 
obligations are recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. No gain or loss was recognized related to the 
properties sold to the LLC.

Future principal maturities under the Company’s debt and capital lease obligations are as follows:

(In Thousands)
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Thereafter
Total

NOTE 8: INCOME TAXES

Following is a summary of the Company’s income tax expense:

(In Thousands)
Current Income Tax Expense:

Federal
State

Deferred Income Tax (Benefit) Expense:

Federal
State

$

$

147,637
98,851
133,190
60,755
60,337
—
500,770

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

$

103,993
10,308
114,301

(33,470)
(1,692)
(35,162)
79,139

$

$

32,999
5,442
38,441

35,413
3,557
38,970
77,411

$

$

41,946
8,682
50,628

(3,314)
(3,843)
(7,157)
43,471

As a result of the extended bonus depreciation provisions in the Protecting Americans From Tax Hikes Act of 2015 not being 
enacted until December 2015, the Company paid more than the amount ultimately required for the 2015 federal tax liability. 
Due to that overpayment the Company received a refund of $120.0 million in February 2016. 

78

 
AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax liabilities and assets are as follows:

(In Thousands)
Deferred Tax Liabilities:

Lease Merchandise and Property, Plant and Equipment

Goodwill and Other Intangibles
Investment in Partnership
Other, Net

Total Deferred Tax Liabilities
Deferred Tax Assets:

Accrued Liabilities
Advance Payments
Other, Net

Total Deferred Tax Assets
Less Valuation Allowance
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities

December 31,

2016

2015

$

$

185,891
52,135
96,291
1,619
335,936

33,243
13,087
20,277
66,607
(875)
270,204

$

$

228,174
47,421
88,913
2,062
366,570

29,192
15,713
14,936
59,841
(752)
307,481

The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory United States Federal income tax rate as follows:

Statutory Rate
Increases (Decreases) in United States Federal Taxes

Resulting From:

State Income Taxes, Net of Federal Income Tax Benefit
Federal Tax Credits
Other, Net
Effective Tax Rate

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

35.0%

35.0%

35.0%

2.6
(1.1)
(0.3)
36.2%

2.7
(0.5)
(0.9)
36.3%

2.6
(1.8)
(0.1)
35.7%

The Company files a federal consolidated income tax return in the United States and the separate legal entities file in various 
states and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state and local tax 
examinations by tax authorities for years before 2013.

The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s uncertain tax positions:

(In Thousands)
Balance at January 1,

Additions Based on Tax Positions Related to the Current Year
Additions for Tax Positions of Prior Years
Prior Year Reductions
Statute Expirations
Settlements

Balance at December 31,

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

$

3,561
258
293
(776)
(609)
(133)
2,594

$

$

2,644
331
1,176
(1)
(589)
—
3,561

$

$

1,960
311
928
(370)
(94)
(91)
2,644

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the amount of uncertain tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate 
is $2.5 million and $3.1 million, respectively, including interest and penalties. 

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized a net benefit of $0.1 million related to interest and 
penalties. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized interest and penalties of $0.4 million 
and $0.3 million, respectively. The Company had $0.9 million and $1.0 million of accrued interest and penalties at 
December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company recognizes potential interest and penalties related to uncertain tax 
benefits as a component of income tax expense.

79

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 9: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

The Company leases warehouse and retail store space for most of its store-based operations, call center space, and management 
and information technology space for corporate functions under operating leases expiring at various times through 2033. The 
Company also leases certain properties under capital or financing type leases that are more fully described in Note 7 to these 
consolidated financial statements. Most of the leases contain renewal options for additional periods ranging from one to 20 
years. In addition, certain properties occupied under operating leases contain normal purchase options. Leasehold 
improvements related to these leases are generally amortized over periods that do not exceed the lesser of the lease term or 15 
years. While a majority of leases do not require escalating payments, for the leases which do contain such provisions, the 
Company records the related expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company also leases transportation 
vehicles under operating leases. Management expects that most leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases in the normal 
course of business.

Future minimum lease payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess 
of one year as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:

(In Thousands)
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Thereafter

$

$

107,985
91,703
77,932
65,571
48,711
114,660
506,562

Rental expense was $116.2 million, $116.5 million, and $111.6 million in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, 
respectively, which are reported within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.  The Company also 
incurred contractual lease obligations charges, net of estimated sublease receipts, of $11.6 million and $4.8 million, in the years 
ended December 31, 2016 and 2014, respectively, related to the closure of Company-operated stores which are reported within 
restructuring expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings. 

The Company has anticipated future sublease receipts from executed sublease agreements of $4.8 million in 2017, $4.3 million 
in 2018, $3.4 million in 2019, $2.4 million in 2020, $1.8 million in 2021 and $2.0 million thereafter through 2025. 

Guarantees

The Company has guaranteed certain debt obligations of some of the franchisees under a franchise loan program with several 
banks. On December 6, 2016, the Company amended the fifth amended and restated loan facility to, among other things, reduce 
the maximum facility commitment amount under the franchise loan program from $175.0 million to $125.0 million, reduce the 
Canadian subfacility commitment amount for loans to franchisees that operate stores in Canada (other than the province of 
Quebec) from CAD $50.0 million to CAD $25.0 million, and to extend the maturity date to December 7, 2017. The Company 
remains subject to the financial covenants under the franchisee loan facility. 

In the event these franchisees are unable to meet their debt service payments or otherwise experience an event of default, the 
Company would be unconditionally liable for the outstanding balance of the franchisees’ debt obligations under the franchisee 
loan program, which would be due in full within 90 days of the event of default. At December 31, 2016, the maximum amount 
that the Company would be obligated to repay in the event franchisees defaulted was $56.7 million. The Company has recourse 
rights to franchisee assets securing the debt obligations, which consist primarily of lease merchandise and fixed assets. Since 
the inception of the franchise loan program in 1994, the Company has had no significant associated losses. The Company 
believes the likelihood of any significant amounts being funded by the Company in connection with these guarantees to be 
remote. The carrying amount of the franchisee-related borrowings guarantee, which is included in accounts payable and accrued 
expenses in the consolidated balance sheets, is $0.8 million as of December 31, 2016.

80

 
AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company is party to various legal and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. 

Some of the proceedings to which the Company is currently a party are described below. The Company believes it has 
meritorious defenses to all of the claims described below, and intends to vigorously defend against the claims. However, these 
proceedings are still developing and due to the inherent uncertainty in litigation, regulatory and similar adversarial proceedings, 
there can be no guarantee that the Company will ultimately be successful in these proceedings, or in others to which it is 
currently a party. Substantial losses from these proceedings or the costs of defending them could have a material adverse impact 
upon the Company's business, financial position and results of operations.

The Company establishes an accrued liability for legal and regulatory proceedings when it determines that a loss is both 
probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company continually monitors its litigation and 
regulatory exposure and reviews the adequacy of its legal and regulatory reserves on a quarterly basis. The amount of any loss 
ultimately incurred in relation to matters for which an accrual has been established may be higher or lower than the amounts 
accrued for such matters.

At December 31, 2016, the Company had accrued $6.0 million for pending legal and regulatory matters for which it believes 
losses are probable and is the Company's best estimate of its exposure to loss. The Company records these liabilities in accounts 
payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company estimates that the aggregate range of 
reasonably possible loss in excess of accrued liabilities for such probable loss contingencies is between $0 and $3.6 million. 

At December 31, 2016, the Company estimated that the aggregate range of loss for all material pending legal and regulatory 
proceedings for which a loss is reasonably possible, but less likely than probable (i.e., excluding the contingencies described in 
the preceding paragraph), is between $0.6 million and $2.9 million. Those matters for which a reasonable estimate is not 
possible are not included within estimated ranges and, therefore, the estimated ranges do not represent the Company’s 
maximum loss exposure. The Company’s estimates for legal and regulatory accruals, aggregate probable loss amounts and 
reasonably possible loss amounts, are all subject to the uncertainties and variables described above. 

Consumer

In Margaret Korrow, et al. v. Aaron's, Inc., originally filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County, Law 
Division on October 26, 2010, plaintiff filed suit on behalf of herself and others similarly situated alleging that the Company is 
liable in damages to plaintiff and each class member because the Company's lease agreements issued after March 16, 2006 
purportedly violated certain New Jersey state consumer statutes. Plaintiff's complaint seeks equitable relief, treble damages 
under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, and statutory penalty damages of $100 per violation of all contracts issued in New 
Jersey, and also claims that there are multiple violations per contract. The complaint also seeks pre-and-post judgment interest 
and attorneys’ fees. On July 31, 2013, the Court certified a class comprising all persons who entered into a rent-to-own contract 
with the Company in New Jersey from March 16, 2006 through March 31, 2011. On February 23, 2016, the Court granted in 
part and denied in part the Company’s motion for partial summary judgment filed August 14, 2015, dismissing plaintiff’s 
claims that a pro-rate feature of the lease agreements violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, but denying summary 
judgment on the claim that Aaron’s Service Plus violated the same act. In December 2016, a class notice was mailed to certain 
individuals who were customers of Company-operated stores in New Jersey from March 16, 2006 to March 31, 2011.

Privacy and Related Matters

In Crystal and Brian Byrd v. Aaron's, Inc., Aspen Way Enterprises, Inc., John Does (1-100) Aaron's Franchisees and 
Designerware, LLC, filed on May 16, 2011, in the United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, plaintiffs 
allege the Company and its independently owned and operated franchisee Aspen Way Enterprises ("Aspen Way") knowingly 
violated plaintiffs' privacy in violation of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act ("ECPA") and the Computer Fraud Abuse 
Act and sought certification of a putative nationwide class. Plaintiffs based these claims on Aspen Way's use of a software 
program called "PC Rental Agent." Plaintiffs have filed an amended complaint, which asserts claims under the ECPA, common 
law invasion of privacy, seeks an injunction, and names additional independently owned and operated Company franchisees as 
defendants. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages as well as injunctive relief.

81

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In March 2014, the United States District Court dismissed all claims against all franchisees other than Aspen Way Enterprises, 
LLC, dismissed claims for invasion of privacy, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy against all defendants, and denied plaintiffs’ 
motion to certify a class action, but denied the Company’s motion to dismiss the claims alleging ECPA violations. In April 
2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit reversed the denial of class certification on the grounds stated by 
the District Court, and remanded the case back to the District Court for further consideration of that and the other elements 
necessary for class certification. On January 24, 2017, final briefs were submitted on the remand of plaintiffs’ motion for class 
certification with the District Court.

In Michael Winslow and Fonda Winslow v. Sultan Financial Corporation, Aaron's, Inc., John Does (1-10), Aaron's Franchisees 
and Designerware, LLC, filed on March 5, 2013 in the Los Angeles Superior Court, plaintiffs assert claims against the 
Company and its independently owned and operated franchisee, Sultan Financial Corporation (as well as certain John Doe 
franchisees), for unauthorized wiretapping, eavesdropping, electronic stalking, and violation of California's Comprehensive 
Computer Data Access and Fraud Act and its Unfair Competition Law. Each of these claims arises out of the alleged use of PC 
Rental Agent software. The plaintiffs are seeking injunctive relief and damages, as well as certification of a putative California 
class. In April 2013, the Company removed this matter to federal court. In May 2013, the Company filed a motion to stay this 
litigation pending resolution of the Byrd litigation, a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, and a motion to strike certain 
allegations in the complaint. The Court subsequently stayed the case. The Company's motions to dismiss and strike certain 
allegations remain pending. In June 2015, the plaintiffs filed a motion to lift the stay, which was denied in July 2015.

In Lomi Price v. Aaron's, Inc. and NW Freedom Corporation, filed on February 27, 2013, in the State Court of Fulton County, 
Georgia (Case No. 13-EV-016812B), an individual plaintiff asserts claims against the Company and its independently owned 
and operated franchisee, NW Freedom Corporation, for invasion of privacy/intrusion on seclusion, computer invasion of 
privacy and infliction of emotional distress. Each of these claims arises out of the alleged use of PC Rental Agent software.  
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. This case has been stayed pending resolution of the Byrd 
litigation. 

In Michael Peterson v. Aaron’s, Inc. and Aspen Way Enterprises, Inc., filed on June 19, 2014, in the United States District Court 
for the Northern District of Georgia, plaintiffs claim that the Company and Aspen Way knowingly violated plaintiffs' privacy 
and the privacy of plaintiffs' law firm’s clients in violation of the ECPA and the Computer Fraud Abuse Act. Plaintiffs seek 
certification of a putative nationwide class. Plaintiffs based these claims on Aspen Way's use of PC Rental Agent software.    
The Court has dismissed all claims except a claim for aiding and abetting invasion of privacy. Plaintiffs filed a motion for class 
certification which the Court denied on January 25, 2017.

Other Contingencies

At December 31, 2016, the Company had non-cancelable commitments primarily related to certain advertising and marketing 
programs of $28.2 million. Payments under these commitments are scheduled to be $17.4 million in 2017, $6.1 million in 2018, 
$3.5 million in 2019 and $1.2 million in 2020.

The Company maintains a 401(k) savings plan for all its full-time employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. 
Effective January 1, 2015, the 401(k) savings plan was amended to allow employees to contribute up to 75% of their annual 
compensation in accordance with federal contribution limits with 100% matching by the Company on the first 3% of 
compensation and 50% on the next 2% of compensation for a total of a 4% match. The Company’s expense related to the plan 
was $5.4 million in 2016, $4.7 million in 2015 and $4.3 million in 2014.

The Company is a party to various claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management 
regularly assesses the Company’s insurance deductibles, monitors the Company's litigation and regulatory exposure with the 
Company’s attorneys and evaluates its loss experience. The Company also enters into various contracts in the normal course of 
business that may subject it to risk of financial loss if counterparties fail to perform their contractual obligations.

82

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Off-Balance Sheet Risk

The Company, through its DAMI business, has unfunded lending commitments totaling $366.4 million and $378.7 million as of 
December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These unfunded commitments arise in the ordinary course of business from credit 
card agreements with individual cardholders that give them the ability to borrow, against unused amounts, up to the maximum 
credit limit assigned to their account. While these unfunded amounts represented the total available unused lines of credit, the 
Company does not anticipate that all cardholders will utilize their entire available line at any given point in time. Commitments 
to extend unsecured credit are agreements to lend to a cardholder so long as there is no violation of any condition established in 
the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses. Since many of the commitments 
are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash 
requirements. The reserve for losses on unfunded loan commitments is calculated by the Company based on historical usage 
patterns of cardholders after the initial charge and is $0.5 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The reserve 
for losses on unfunded loan commitments is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance 
sheets. 

NOTE 10: RESTRUCTURING

2016 Restructuring Program

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company initiated a restructuring program related to its Sales and Lease 
Ownership segment and supporting corporate functions. The program resulted in a thorough review of the Company-operated 
Aaron's store portfolio and the subsequent closure or planned closure of underperforming stores.  As a result of this 
restructuring program, the Company closed 56 underperforming Aaron's Company-operated stores, primarily in the fourth 
quarter of 2016, and committed to plans to close approximately 70 additional stores during 2017. The Company estimates it 
will incur additional restructuring charges of $13.0 million in 2017 related to the loss on contractual lease obligations for the 
stores that the Company expects to close in 2017. The Company also optimized its home office and field support staff during 
2016, which resulted in a reduction in employee headcount in those areas, to more closely align with current business 
conditions. 

Total restructuring charges of $20.2 million were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2016, comprised principally of 
$11.6 million related to Aaron's store contractual lease obligations for closed stores, $4.5 million related to the write-off and 
impairment of Aaron's store property, plant and equipment and $3.9 million related to workforce reductions. Contractual lease 
obligations are recorded at the cease use date of the related property. These costs were included in the line item "Restructuring 
expenses" in the consolidated statements of earnings.

The following table summarizes the balances of the restructuring accruals, which are recorded in accounts payable and accrued 
expenses in the consolidated balance sheets, and the activity for the year ended December 31, 2016 related to the 2016 
restructuring program:

(In Thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2016

Charges
Adjustments1
Restructuring Charges

Payments

Balance at December 31, 2016

1Adjustments relate to changes in sublease assumptions and interest accretion.

Contractual
Lease
Obligations

Severance

$

$

— $

11,830
(241)
11,589
(1,006)
10,583

$

—
3,883
—
3,883
(1,804)
2,079

83

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table summarizes restructuring charges by segment for the year ended December 31, 2016:

(In Thousands)

Sales and Lease
Ownership

Franchise

Other

Total

Contractual Lease Obligations

$

11,589

$

— $

— $

11,589

Severance

Fixed Asset Impairment

Lease Merchandise Write-Offs

Total Restructuring Expense

2014 Restructuring Program

287

4,538

208

$

16,622

$

88

—

—

88

3,508

—

—

3,883

4,538

208

$

3,508

$

20,218

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company closed 44 underperforming Company-operated stores and restructured 
its home office and field support to more closely align with current business conditions. The restructuring was completed 
during the third quarter of 2014 and total restructuring charges of $9.1 million were recorded during the year ended 
December 31, 2014, principally comprised of $4.8 million related to contractual lease obligations, $3.3 million related to the 
write-off and impairment of property, plant and equipment and $0.6 million related to workforce reductions. These costs were 
included in the line item "Restructuring Expenses" in the consolidated statements of earnings. The Company does not currently 
anticipate any remaining costs related to this restructuring plan to be material. 

The following table summarizes the balances of the remaining restructuring accrual and the activity in that accrual related to the 
2014 restructuring program:

(In Thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2014

Charges
Payments

Balance at December 31, 2014

Payments

Balance at December 31, 2015

Payments
Adjustments1

Balance at December 31, 2016

Contractual
Lease
Obligations

$

$

—
4,797
(1,570)
3,227
(1,559)
1,668
(766)
110
1,012

1Adjustments relate to changes in sublease assumptions and interest accretion.

The following table summarizes the activity related to the restructuring charges by segment for the year ended December 31, 
2014:

(In Thousands)

Contractual Lease Obligations

Severance

Fixed Asset Impairment

Lease Merchandise Write-Offs

Total Restructuring Expense

Sales and Lease
Ownership

HomeSmart

Other

Total

$

694

419

3,328

395

4,836

$

6

—

—

—

6

$

$

4,097

$

201

—

—

4,298

$

4,797

620

3,328

395

9,140

$

$

84

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 11: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The Company held 19,303,578 shares in its treasury and was authorized to purchase an additional 9,123,721 shares at 
December 31, 2016. The holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or 
property of the Company as and when declared by its Board of Directors out of legally available funds. In 2016, the Company 
repurchased 1,372,700 shares of its common stock for $34.5 million. In 2014, the Company repurchased 1,000,952 shares of its 
common stock through an accelerated share repurchase program as discussed below. There was no share repurchase activity 
during 2015. 

The Company has 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized. The shares are issuable in series with terms for each series 
fixed by, and such issuance subject to approval by, the Board of Directors. As of December 31, 2016, no preferred shares have 
been issued.

Accelerated Share Repurchase Program

In December 2013, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase program with a third-party financial institution to 
purchase $125.0 million of the Company’s common stock, as part of its previously announced share repurchase program. The 
Company paid $125.0 million at the beginning of the program and received an initial delivery of 3,502,627 shares, estimated to 
be approximately 80% of the total number of shares to be repurchased under the agreement, which reduced the Company's 
shares outstanding at December 31, 2013. The value of the initial shares received on the date of purchase was $100.0 million, 
reflecting a $28.55 price per share, which was recorded as treasury shares. The Company recorded the remaining $25.0 million 
as a forward contract indexed to its own common stock in additional paid-in capital for the year ended December 31, 2013. 

In February 2014, the accelerated share repurchase program was completed and the Company received 1,000,952 additional 
shares determined using a volume weighted average price of the Company's stock (inclusive of a discount) during the trading 
period, which resulted in an effective average price per share of $27.76. All amounts initially classified as additional paid-in 
capital were reclassified to treasury shares during the first quarter of 2014 upon settlement. 

NOTE 12: STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK

The Company grants stock options, RSUs, RSAs and PSUs to certain employees and directors of the Company under the 2015 
Equity and Incentive Award Plan and previously did so under the 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan (the "2015 Plan" 
and "2001 Plan"). The 2001 Plan was originally approved by the Company’s shareholders in May 2001 and was amended and 
restated with shareholder approval in May 2009 and discontinued with the approval of the 2015 Plan on May 6, 2015. 

As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued or transferred under the 2015 
Plan is 3,449,854.

Total stock-based compensation expense was $21.5 million, $14.2 million and $10.9 million for the years ended December 31, 
2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 included $5.1 
million related to the accelerated vesting of restricted stock and stock options upon the retirement of the Company’s former 
Chief Executive Officer in 2014, as provided for in his employment agreement. These costs were included in the line item 
Retirement and Vacation Charges in the consolidated statements of earnings. All other stock-based compensation expense was 
included as a component of operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.

The total income tax benefit recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings for stock-based compensation arrangements 
was $8.2 million, $5.4 million and $3.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Tax 
deductions less than recognized compensation cost, which are included in financing cash flows, were $0.7 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2016. Benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost were $0.3 million and $1.4 
million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

As of December 31, 2016, there was $21.4 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock-
based compensation which is expected to be recognized over a period of 1.5 years.

Stock Options

Under the Company's 2001 Plan, options granted to date become exercisable after a period of one to five years and unexercised 
options lapse 10 years after the date of grant. Under the Company’s 2015 Plan, options granted to date become exercisable after 
a period of one to three years and unexercised options lapse 10 years after the date of the grant. Options are subject to forfeiture 
upon termination of service for both plans. The Company recognizes compensation expense for options that have a graded 
vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Shares are issued from the Company’s treasury shares 
upon share option exercises.

85

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company determines the fair value of stock options on the grant date using a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model 
that incorporates expected volatility, expected option life, risk-free interest rates and expected dividend yields. The expected 
volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on the Company’s stock and the historical volatility of the 
Company’s common stock over the most recent period generally commensurate with the expected estimated life of each 
respective grant. The expected lives of options are based on the Company's historical option exercise experience. The Company 
believes that the historical experience method is the best estimate of future exercise patterns. The risk-free interest rates are 
determined using the implied yield available for zero-coupon United States government issues with a remaining term equal to 
the expected life of the grant. The expected dividend yields are based on the approved annual dividend rate in effect and market 
price of the underlying common stock at the time of grant. No assumption for a future dividend rate increase has been included 
unless there is an approved plan to increase the dividend in the near term. 

The Company granted 634,000, 338,000 and 351,000 stock options during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 
respectively. The weighted-average fair value of options granted in 2016, 2015 and 2014 and the weighted-average assumptions 
used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model for such grants were as follows: 

Dividend Yield
Expected Volatility
Risk-free Interest Rate
Expected Term (in years)
Weighted-average Fair Value of Stock Options Granted

2016

2015

2014

0.4%
34.2%
1.3%
5.3
7.10

$

0.3%
28.9%
1.6%
5.2
8.41

$

0.3%
31.9%
1.9%
6.2
9.61

$

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2016:

Range of Exercise
Prices
$10.01-15.00
  15.01-20.00
  20.01-25.00
  25.01-30.00
  30.01-32.20
  10.01-32.20

Number Outstanding
December 31, 2016
167
66
623
356
195
1,407

Options Outstanding

Weighted Average 
Remaining Contractual
Life 
(in Years)

Options Exercisable

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

Number Exercisable
December 31, 2016

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

$

1.79
3.15
9.14
7.91
7.98
7.52

14.11
19.92
22.67
28.20
31.95
24.21

$

167
66
—
199
58
490

14.11
19.92
—
28.13
32.20
22.73

The table below summarizes option activity for the year ended December 31, 2016:

Outstanding at January 1, 2016

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited/expired

Outstanding at December 31, 2016
Expected to Vest at December 31, 2016
Exercisable at December 31, 2016

Options
(In Thousands)
872
634
(35)
(64)
1,407
818
490

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in Years)

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in Thousands)

Weighted
Average Fair
Value

$

25.05
22.64
15.47
24.96
24.21
25.01
22.73

$

7.52
8.75
5.21

$

10,945
5,710
4,541

7.81
7.77
7.92

The aggregate intrinsic value amounts in the table above represent the closing price of the Company’s common stock on 
December 31, 2016 in excess of the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options as of that same 
date. Options outstanding that are expected to vest are net of estimated future option forfeitures.

The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised, which represents the value of the Company’s common stock at the time of 
exercise in excess of the exercise price, was $0.4 million, $0.8 million and $4.4 million during the years ended December 31, 
2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The total grant-date fair value of options vested during the year ended December 31, 2016, 
2015 and 2014 was $1.4 million, $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively. 

86

 
AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Restricted Stock

Shares of restricted stock units or restricted stock awards (collectively, "restricted stock") may be granted to employees and 
directors under the 2015 Plan and typically vest over approximately one to three year periods; under the 2001 Plan restricted 
stock typically vests over approximately one to five year periods. Restricted stock grants are generally settled in stock and may 
be subject to one or more objective employment, performance or other forfeiture conditions as established at the time of grant. 
The Company recognizes compensation expense for restricted stock with a graded vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over 
the requisite service period. Shares are issued from the Company’s treasury shares upon vesting. Any shares of restricted stock 
that are forfeited may again become available for issuance.

The fair value of restricted stock is generally based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of 
grant. 

In 2011, the Company established a restricted stock program as a component of the 2001 Plan, referred to as the Aaron’s 
Management Performance Plan ("AMP Plan"). Under the AMP Plan, which expired on December 31, 2012, restricted shares 
were granted quarterly to eligible participants upon achievement of certain pre-tax profit and revenue levels by the employees’ 
operating units or the overall Company. Restricted stock granted under the AMP Plan vests over four to five years from the date 
of grant. Plan participants included certain vice presidents, director level employees and other key personnel in the Company’s 
home office, divisional vice presidents and regional managers. These grants began vesting in 2016.

During 2013, the Company granted performance-based restricted stock to certain executive officers. During 2016, the 
performance-based restricted stock under this program vested with the completion of the three-year service period and the 
achievement of specific performance criteria. The compensation expense associated with these awards was amortized ratably 
over the vesting period based on the Company’s projected assessment of the level of performance that would be achieved and 
earned. 

The Company granted 379,000, 261,000 and 548,000 shares of restricted stock at weighted-average fair values of $22.81, 
$31.78 and $29.11 in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The following table summarizes 
information about restricted stock activity during 2016:

Non-vested at January 1, 2016

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Non-vested at December 31, 2016

Restricted Stock
(In Thousands)
821
379
(158)
(89)
953

Weighted Average
Fair Value

$

29.77
22.81
30.01
27.61
27.45

The total vest-date fair value of restricted stock described above that vested during the year was $3.8 million, $1.8 million and 
$10.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

Performance Share Units

Beginning in 2015, as part of the Company’s long-term incentive compensation program ("LTIP Plan") and pursuant to the 
Company’s 2001 Plan and 2015 Plan, the Company granted a mix of stock options, time-based restricted stock and performance 
share units to key executives and managers. For performance share units, which are generally settled in stock, the number of 
shares earned is determined at the end of the one-year performance period based upon achievement of various performance 
criteria, which have included adjusted EBITDA, revenue, return on capital and invoice volume levels of the respective 
segments. Beginning in 2016, the Company added adjusted pre-tax profit and production volume levels as additional 
performance criteria for certain segments. When the performance criteria are met, the full award is earned and one-third of the 
award vests. One third of the earned award is subject to an additional one year service period and one-third of the earned award 
is subject to an additional two year service period. Shares are issued from the Company’s treasury shares upon vesting. The 
number of performance-based shares which could potentially be issued ranges from zero to 200% of the target award. 

The fair value of performance share units is based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of 
grant. The compensation expense associated with these awards is amortized on an accelerated basis over the vesting period 
based on the Company’s projected assessment of the level of performance that will be achieved and earned. In the event the 
Company determines it is no longer probable that the minimum performance criteria specified in the plan will be achieved, all 
previously recognized compensation expense is reversed in the period such a determination is made.

87

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table summarizes information about performance share unit activity during 2016:

Non-vested at January 1, 2016

Granted
Vested
Forfeited/unearned

Non-vested at December 31, 2016

Performance 
Share Units
(In Thousands)
345
530
(139)
(43)
693

Weighted Average
Fair Value

$

32.80
23.19
32.39
24.59
25.67

The total vest-date fair value of performance share units described above that vested during the period was $3.4 million and 
$0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014, respectively. There were no performance share units that vested 
during 2015. 

NOTE 13: SEGMENTS

Description of Products and Services of Reportable Segments

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had five operating and reportable segments: Sales and Lease Ownership, Progressive, 
DAMI, Franchise and Manufacturing. On May 13, 2016, the Company sold its 82 remaining Company-operated HomeSmart 
stores and ceased operations of that segment. The results of DAMI and Progressive have been included in the Company’s 
consolidated results and presented as reportable segments from their October 15, 2015 and April 14, 2014 acquisition dates, 
respectively. 

The Sales and Lease Ownership segment offers furniture, electronics, appliances and computers to consumers primarily through 
its stores with no credit needed. Progressive is a leading virtual lease-to-own company that provides lease-purchase solutions on 
a variety of products, including furniture and bedding, consumer electronics, appliances and jewelry. The HomeSmart segment, 
prior to its disposition, offered furniture, electronics, appliances and computers to customers primarily on a weekly payment 
basis with no credit needed. DAMI offers a variety of second-look financing programs originated through two third-party 
federally insured banks to customers of participating merchants and, together with Progressive, allows the Company to provide 
retail partners with below prime customers one source for financing and leasing transactions. The Franchise operation awards 
franchises and supports franchisees of its sales and lease ownership concept. The Manufacturing segment manufactures 
upholstered furniture and bedding predominantly for use by Company-operated and franchised stores. Therefore, the 
Manufacturing segment's revenues and earnings before income taxes are primarily the result of intercompany transactions, 
which are eliminated through the elimination of intersegment revenues and intersegment profit or loss.

Measurement of Segment Profit or Loss and Segment Assets

The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on revenue growth and pre-tax profit or loss from 
operations. Intersegment sales are completed at internally negotiated amounts. Since the intersegment profit affects inventory 
valuation, depreciation and cost of goods sold are adjusted when intersegment profit is eliminated in consolidation.

Factors Used by Management to Identify the Reportable Segments

The Company’s reportable segments are based on the operations of the Company that the chief operating decision maker 
regularly reviews to analyze performance and allocate resources among business units of the Company.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, management of the Company changed its internal segment measure of profit and 
loss for the Sales and Lease Ownership and HomeSmart segments to be on an accrual basis rather than on a cash basis. The 
Company retroactively adjusted Revenues of Reportable Segments and Earnings Before Income Taxes for Reportable Segments 
disclosed in the tables below to conform to this change.

88

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands)
Revenues:

Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI 1
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other 2

Revenues of Reportable Segments

Elimination of Intersegment Revenues

Total Revenues from External Customers

Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other 3

Earnings Before Income Taxes for Reportable Segments

Elimination of Intersegment Loss (Profit)

$

$

$

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

$

$

1,852,312
1,237,597
25,392
24,080
58,350
90,274
950
3,288,955
(81,239)
3,207,716

127,306
104,686
(3,479)
(9,273)
46,766
(27)
(48,164)
217,815
607
218,422

$

$

$

1,997,270
1,049,681
63,204
2,845
63,507
106,020
1,118
3,283,645
(103,889)
3,179,756

162,996
54,525
606
(1,964)
48,576
2,520
(51,651)
215,608
(2,488)
213,120

2,040,617
519,342
64,441
—
65,902
104,058
2,969
2,797,329
(102,296)
2,695,033

145,068
4,603
(2,613)
—
50,504
860
(75,905)
122,517
(813)
121,704

Total Earnings Before Income Taxes
$
1 Represents interest and fees on loans receivable and excludes the effect of interest expense.  
2 Revenues in the Other category are primarily attributable to (i) the RIMCO segment through the date of sale in January 2014, 
(ii) leasing space to unrelated third parties in the corporate headquarters building and (iii) several minor unrelated activities.
3 The pre-tax losses in the Other category are the result of the activity mentioned above, net of the portion of corporate overhead 
not allocated to the reportable segments for management purposes. 

$

$

Assets:

Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing 1
Other
Total Assets

Assets From Canadian Operations (included in totals above):

Sales and Lease Ownership

December 31,

2016

2015

1,142,474
919,487
—
102,958
34,188
22,551
394,078
2,615,736

$

$

1,261,040
878,457
44,429
97,486
53,693
28,986
334,397
2,698,488

17,199

$

8,900

$

$

$

1 Includes inventory (principally raw materials and work-in-process) that has been classified within lease merchandise in the 
consolidated balance sheets of $14.3 million, $19.4 million and $13.2 million as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 
respectively.

89

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands)
Depreciation and Amortization:
Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other

Total Depreciation and Amortization

Interest Expense:

Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other

Total Interest Expense

Capital Expenditures:

Sales and Lease Ownership
Progressive
HomeSmart
DAMI
Franchise
Manufacturing
Other

Total Capital Expenditures

Revenues From Canadian Operations (included in totals above):

Sales and Lease Ownership

Year Ended December 31,

2016

2015

2014

581,738
776,207
8,103
993
1,149
1,297
17,186
1,386,673

8,257
20,042
294
4,116
—
1
(9,320)
23,390

29,561
6,084
304
787
—
492
20,225
57,453

$

$

$

$

$

$

592,450
661,646
20,817
218
1,429
1,482
14,805
1,292,847

7,751
21,959
900
764
—
26
(8,061)
23,339

23,082
8,175
374
40
—
387
28,499
60,557

$

$

$

$

$

$

633,119
346,343
22,407
—
1,599
1,649
13,117
1,018,234

7,834
14,992
922
—
—
50
(4,583)
19,215

24,135
1,625
1,020
—
—
1,477
19,308
47,565

12,434

$

3,431

$

179

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

In 2016, the results of the Company's operating segments were impacted by the following items:

• 

Sales and Lease Ownership earnings before income taxes were impacted by $16.6 million of restructuring charges 
incurred during the year ended December 31, 2016 in connection with the Company's strategic decision to close 
Company-operated stores as discussed in Note 10.

•  HomeSmart earnings before income taxes includes a loss on the sale of HomeSmart of $4.3 million and additional 
charges of $1.1 million related to exiting the HomeSmart business during the year ended December 31, 2016.

•  Earnings before income taxes for the Other category during the year ended December 31, 2016 were impacted by a 

gain of $11.1 million on the January 2016 sale of the Company's former corporate office building and $3.5 million of 
restructuring charges related to a reduction in workforce incurred during the year ended December 31, 2016.

In 2015, the results of the Company's operating segments were impacted by the following items:

•  Earnings before income taxes of the Other category included a $3.5 million loss related to a lease termination on a 

Company aircraft.

• 

Progressive earnings before income taxes included $3.7 million of transaction costs related to the October 15, 2015 
DAMI acquisition.

90

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In 2014, the results of the Company's operating segments were impacted by the following items:

• 

Sales and Lease Ownership earnings before income taxes included $4.8 million of restructuring charges related to the 
Company's strategic decision to close 44 Company-operated stores.

•  Other category loss before income taxes included $13.7 million in financial and advisory costs related to addressing 

now-resolved strategic matters, including proxy contests, $4.3 million of restructuring charges in connection with the 
store closures noted above, $9.1 million of charges associated with the retirements of both the Company's Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, $6.6 million in transaction costs related to the Progressive acquisition 
and $1.2 million of regulatory income that reduced previously recognized regulatory expense upon the resolution of 
the regulatory investigation by the California Attorney General. 

The Company determines earnings (loss) before income taxes for all reportable segments in accordance with U.S. GAAP with 
the following adjustments:

•  Generally a predetermined amount of Corporate overhead is allocated to each reportable segment based on segment 

revenues.

•  Accruals related to store closures, with the exception of the 2016 restructuring plan, are not recorded on the reportable 

segments’ financial statements, but are maintained and controlled by corporate headquarters.

• 

Interest expense has been allocated to the Sales and Lease Ownership and HomeSmart segments based on a percentage 
of their revenues. Interest expense is allocated to the Progressive and DAMI segments based on a percentage of the 
outstanding balances of its intercompany borrowings and of the debt incurred when it was acquired.

NOTE 14: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company leases certain properties under capital leases with certain related parties that are more fully described in Note 7 
above.

On May 13, 2016, the Company sold its remaining 82 Company-operated HomeSmart stores to Buddy's Newco for $35.0 
million. Refer to Note 1 for more information on the sale. Buddy’s Newco is a subsidiary of Buddy’s Home Furnishings 
("Buddy’s"), the third largest lease-to-own home furnishings provider in the United States. Buddy’s is a portfolio company of 
Vintage Capital Management ("Vintage"), a private equity fund controlled by Brian R. Kahn. Based on information provided in 
a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on August 12, 2015 (the latest available filing made by 
Vintage), Vintage owned approximately 10% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. In May 2014, Mr. Kahn and 
Matthew E. Avril joined the Company’s Board of Directors. In August 2015, Mr. Kahn resigned from the Board, but not due to 
any disagreement with the Company. At the time the HomeSmart transaction was approved by the Company’s Board of 
Directors, Mr. Avril owned a limited partnership interest in Vintage, served as a strategic advisor to Vintage and served as a 
director of a Vintage portfolio company. 

In connection with the HomeSmart transaction, the Company engaged a nationally recognized and independent financial 
advisor with substantial experience in transactions involving lease-to-own companies to conduct a thorough review of likely 
potential purchasers of the HomeSmart business. Through that process, Buddy’s emerged as the only interested potential 
purchaser of the business with the financial ability to consummate such a transaction on terms likely satisfactory to the 
Company. In addition, prior to its approval of the HomeSmart transaction, the Company’s Board of Directors obtained a 
fairness opinion from a nationally recognized and independent valuation firm, to opine on the fairness, from a financial point of 
view, of the consideration to be paid by Vintage to the Company in connection with the HomeSmart transaction. Based on these 
and other factors, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the HomeSmart transaction, with Mr. Avril abstaining from the 
Board’s vote on the transaction.

In February 2017, the Company entered into transactions with five franchisees of Buddy’s (the “Franchisees”), pursuant to 
which the Company acquired certain customer rental contracts from those Franchisees, and the Franchisees acquired from the 
Company certain Company customer rental contracts, as well as Company inventory (collectively, the “Transactions”). The 
aggregate, net amount of the consideration the Company paid to the Franchisees in connection with the Transactions was 
approximately $0.6 million. In addition, the Franchisees agreed to sublease certain former Company store locations from the 
Company for aggregate payments of approximately $40,000 per month. As discussed in the preceding paragraphs of this Note, 
Buddy’s is a portfolio company of Vintage, and Vintage owns approximately 10% of the Company’s outstanding common 
stock. In addition, Mr. Avril, who resigned from the Company’s Board effective June 3, 2016, but not due to any disagreement 
with the Company, has, as discussed above, served as a limited partner of and strategic advisor to Vintage and served on the 
board of a Vintage portfolio company.  

91

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Before the Company entered into the Transactions and the sublease arrangements related thereto, the Audit Committee of the 
Company’s Board of Directors held a meeting during which Company management provided the Audit Committee with 
information regarding matters such as: (i) the aggregate, net amount the Company proposed to pay the Franchisees upon the 
consummation of the Transactions; (ii) the valuation method utilized in determining the pricing and financial terms for the 
Transactions and sublease arrangements related thereto; (iii) the remaining duration of the leases for the Company stores that 
Franchisees would sublease from the Company, and the aggregate amount of the proposed sublease payments arising therefrom, 
as compared to the aggregate amount of the payments owed by the Company under those leases; (iv) how the proposed pricing 
(and valuation methods related thereto) and other terms and conditions of the proposed Transactions compared to those of 
similar transactions the Company previously has engaged in with other parties who are not affiliated with Buddy’s, Vintage or 
any other related party; (v) the nature of the negotiations that had taken place between the Company and the Franchisees with 
respect to the proposed Transactions; and (vi) why the proposed Transactions were in the best interests of the Company and its 
shareholders. After reviewing that information, and other information presented by management, and consulting with an 
external professional advisor, the Audit Committee approved and authorized Company management to enter into the 
Transactions with the Franchisees, and the sublease arrangements related thereto, on the financial terms and other terms and 
conditions that had been presented to the Audit Committee, and management subsequently did so.  

NOTE 15: QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Revenues
Gross Profit *
Earnings Before Income Taxes
Net Earnings
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution

Year Ended December 31, 2015
Revenues
Gross Profit *
Earnings Before Income Taxes
Net Earnings
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share Assuming Dilution

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$

$

$

$

854,427
374,268
79,728
49,687
0.68
0.68

821,814
363,478
77,830
49,243
0.68
0.68

$

$

789,353
352,576
61,124
38,501
0.53
0.53

769,049
346,110
64,354
40,546
0.56
0.56

$

$

768,982
332,487
45,282
29,464
0.41
0.40

767,694
331,628
36,556
24,194
0.33
0.33

794,954
339,599
32,288
21,631
0.30
0.30

821,199
344,144
34,380
21,726
0.30
0.30

* Gross profit is the sum of lease revenues and fees, retail sales, non-retail sales, and interest and fees on loans receivable less 
retail cost of sales, non-retail cost of sales, depreciation of lease merchandise, provision for write-offs of lease merchandise, 
and provision for credit losses.

The comparability of the Company's quarterly financial results during 2016 and 2015 was impacted by certain events, as 
described below on a pre-tax basis:

•  The first quarter of 2016 included a gain of $11.1 million on the January 29, 2016 sale of the Company's former 

corporate office building, a loss of $4.6 million related to the write-down of the HomeSmart disposal group to its fair 
value less estimated costs to sell upon its classification as held for sale, and charges of $3.7 million related to the 
retirement of the Company's former Chief Financial Officer.

•  The second quarter of 2016 included a loss of $1.0 million primarily consisting of impairment charges on certain 

assets related to the HomeSmart segment that have been sold or are held for sale.

•  The third and fourth quarter of 2016 included restructuring expenses of $4.7 million and $15.5 million, respectively. 

See Note 10 for further discussion of restructuring activities.

•  The fourth quarter of 2015 included $2.7 million of transaction costs related to the October 15, 2015 DAMI 

acquisition and a $3.5 million loss related to a lease termination on a Company aircraft.

92

AARON’S, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 16: DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

The Company maintains the Aaron’s, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, which is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred 
compensation plan for a select group of management, highly compensated employees and non-employee directors. On a pre-tax 
basis, eligible employees can defer receipt of up to 75% of their base compensation and up to 75% of their incentive pay 
compensation, and eligible non-employee directors can defer receipt of up to 100% of their cash director fees. 

Compensation deferred under the plan is credited to each participant’s deferral account and a deferred compensation liability is 
recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets. The deferred compensation plan liability 
was $12.0 million and $11.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Liabilities under the plan are recorded at 
amounts due to participants, based on the fair value of participants’ selected investments. The Company has established a rabbi 
trust to fund obligations under the plan with Company-owned life insurance. The obligations are unsecured general obligations 
of the Company and the participants have no right, interest or claim in the assets of the Company, except as unsecured general 
creditors. The cash surrender value of these policies totaled $15.6 million and $15.4 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively, and is included in prepaid expenses and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Deferred compensation expense charged to operations for the Company’s discretionary matching contributions was not 
significant during any of the periods presented. Benefits of $1.4 million, $1.7 million and $1.9 million were paid during the 
years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 

93

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL 
DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation of Aaron’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, was carried out by management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief 
Financial Officer (CFO), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on management’s 
evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of 
December 31, 2016 to provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.

Reports of Management and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial 
Reporting

Management has assessed, and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has audited, 
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. The unqualified reports of management and 
Ernst & Young LLP thereon are included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated by reference 
herein.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter of 2016 that have materially affected, or are 
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

94

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required in response to this Item is contained under the captions "Nominees to Serve as Directors," "Executive 
Officers Who Are Not Directors," "Communicating with the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance Documents," 
"Composition, Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting 
Compliance" in the Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A. These portions of the Proxy 
Statement are hereby incorporated by reference. 

We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all our directors, officers and employees, 
including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller and other 
executive officers identified pursuant to this Item 10 who perform similar functions, which we refer to as the Selected Officers. 
The code is posted on our website at http://www.aarons.com. We will disclose any material changes in or waivers from our 
code of business conduct and ethics applicable to any Selected Officer on our website at http://www.aarons.com or by filing a 
Form 8-K.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required in response to this Item is contained under the captions "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," 
"Summary Compensation Table," "Grants of Plan Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2016," "Outstanding Equity Awards at 2016 
Fiscal Year-End," "Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2016," "Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation as of 
December 31, 2016," "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control," "Non-Management Director 
Compensation in 2016," "Employment Agreements with Named Executive Officers," "Executive Bonus Plan," "Aaron's, Inc. 
2015 Equity and Incentive Plan," "Amended and Restated 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan," "Compensation 
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Compensation Committee Report" in the Proxy Statement. These portions 
of the Proxy Statement are hereby incorporated by reference. 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED 
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required in response to this Item is contained under the captions "Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock" 
and "Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans" in the Proxy Statement. These portions of the Proxy 
Statement are hereby incorporated by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required in response to this Item is contained under the captions "Certain Relationships and Related 
Transactions" and "Election of Directors" in the Proxy Statement. These portions of the Proxy Statement are hereby 
incorporated by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required in response to this Item is contained under the caption "Audit Matters" in the Proxy Statement. This 
portion of the Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated by reference.

95

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS and SCHEDULES

a) 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PART IV

The following financial statements and notes thereto of Aaron’s, Inc. and Subsidiaries, and the related Reports of Independent 
Registered Public Accounting Firm are set forth in Item 8 and Item 9A.

Consolidated Balance Sheets—December 31, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statements of Earnings—Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income—Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity—Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC have been omitted because they 
are not applicable or the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

3. EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT
NO.

DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT

2.1†

2.2†

3(i)

3(ii)

4

10.1

10.2

Plans of Acquisition
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 14, 2014, by and among the Company, Progressive Finance Holdings,
LLC, Virtual Acquisition Company, LLC, and John W. Robinson, III in his capacity as the representative of the
selling unitholders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
with the SEC on April 15, 2014).

Purchase Agreement, dated April 14, 2014, by and among the Company, SP GE VIII-B Progressive Blocker Corp.,
SP SD IV-B Progressive Blocker Corp., Summit Partners Growth Equity Fund VIII-B, L.P., and Summit Partners
Subordinated Debt Fund IV-B, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Registrant's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2014).

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Aaron's, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) of the
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on February
24, 2014).

Amended and Restated By-laws of Aaron's, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 29, 2016).

Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, Including Indentures
Specimen of Form of Stock Certificate Representing Shares of Common Stock of the Registrant, par value $0.50
per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed
with the SEC on December 10, 2010).

Material Contracts
Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron’s, Inc. and certain other obligors and the purchasers dated as of July 
5, 2011 and Form of Senior Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 8, 2011).

Amendment  No.  1  to  Note  Purchase Agreement  by  and  among Aaron’s,  Inc.  and  certain  other  obligors  and  the 
purchasers, dated as of December 19, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 of the Registrant’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 26, 2012).

96

 
10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16

Amendment No. 2 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron's, Inc. and certain other obligors and the
purchasers, dated as of October 8, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 15, 2013).

Amendment No. 3 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron's, Inc. and certain other obligors and the
purchasers, dated as of April 14, 2014 and Form of Senior Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the
Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 filed with the SEC on August 8,
2014).

Amendment No. 4 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron's, Inc. and certain other obligors and the
purchasers, dated as of December 9, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Registrant’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015).

Amendment No. 5 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron’s Inc. and certain other obligors and the
purchasers, dated as of September 21, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 filed with the SEC on November 9, 2015).
Amendment No. 6 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron’s, Inc. and certain other obligors and the
purchasers, dated as of June 30, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on August 4, 2016).

Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron's, Inc. and certain other obligors and the purchasers dated as of
April 14, 2014 with respect to $225 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 4.75% Series A Senior
Notes due April 14, 2021 and Form of Senior Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 filed with the SEC on August 8, 2014).
Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron's, Inc. and certain other obligors and the
purchasers dated as of December 9, 2014 with respect to $225 million in aggregate principal amount of the
Company's 4.75% Series A Senior Notes Due April 14, 2021 and Form of Senior Note (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with
the SEC on March 2, 2015).

Amendment No. 2 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron’s Inc. and certain other obligors and the
purchasers dated as of September 21, 2015 with respect to $225 million in aggregate principal amount of the
Company’s 4.75% Series A Senior Notes due April 14, 2021 and Form of Senior Note (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 filed
with the SEC on November 9, 2015).

Amendment No. 3 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron’s Inc. and certain other obligors and the
purchasers dated as of June 30, 2016 with respect to $225 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s
4.75% Series A senior Notes Due April 14, 2021 and Form of Senior Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.2 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on
August 4, 2016).
Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron's, Inc. and certain other obligors and the purchasers dated as of
April 14, 2014 with respect to $75 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company's 4.75% Series B Senior
Notes due April 14, 2021 and Form of Senior Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 filed with the SEC on August 8, 2014).

Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron's, Inc. and certain other obligors and
purchasers dated as of December 9, 2014 with respect to $75 million in aggregate principal amount of the
Company's 4.75% Series B Senior Notes due April 14, 2021 and Form of Senior Notes (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with
the SEC on March 2, 2015).

Amendment No. 2 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron’s Inc. and certain other obligors and
purchasers dated as of September 21, 2015 with respect to $75 million in aggregate principal amount of the
Company’s 4.75% Series B Senior Notes due April 14, 2021 and Form of Senior Note (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 filed
with the SEC on November 9, 2015).

Amendment No. 3 to Note Purchase Agreement by and among Aaron’s Inc. and certain other obligors and
purchasers dated as of June 30, 2016 with respect to $75 million in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s
4.75% Series B Senior Notes due April 14, 2021 and Form of Senior Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.3 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on
August 4, 2016).
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, by and among Aaron's, Inc., as borrower, the
several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and SunTrust Bank as administrative
agent, dated as of April 14, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 filed with the SEC on August 8, 2014).

97

10.17

10.18

10.19

10.20

10.21

10.22

10.23

10.24

10.25

10.26

10.27

10.28

10.29

10.30

10.31

10.32

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, by and among Aaron's,
Inc., as borrower, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and SunTrust
Bank as administrative agent, dated December 9, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 2,
2015).

Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement by and among Aaron’s,
Inc., as borrower, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and SunTrust
Bank as administrative agent, dated September 21, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the
Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 filed with the SEC on
November 9, 2015).

Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement by and among Aaron’s
Inc., as borrower, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and SunTrust
Bank as administrative agent, dated June 30, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on August 4, 2016).

Third Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty, by and among Aaron's, Inc. as sponsor,
SunTrust Bank, as servicer, and each of the other lending institutions party thereto as participants, dated as of April
14, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 30, 2014 filed with the SEC on August 8, 2014).
First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty among Aaron's, Inc.
as sponsor, SunTrust Bank, as servicer, and each of the other lending institutions party thereto as participants, dated
December 9, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015).

Second Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement among Aaron’s Inc. as sponsor,
SunTrust Bank, as servicer, and each of the other lending institutions party thereto as participants, dated September
21, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2015 filed with the SEC on November 9, 2015).

Third Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty among Aaron's, Inc.
as sponsor, SunTrust Bank, as servicer, and each of the other lending institutions party thereto as participants, dated
December 4, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
with the SEC on December 10, 2015).

Fourth Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty among Aaron’s Inc.
as sponsor, SunTrust Bank, as servicer, and each of the other lending institutions party thereto as participants, dated
June 30, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on August 4, 2016).

Fifth Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Loan Facility Agreement and Guaranty among Aaron’s Inc.
as sponsor, SunTrust Bank, as servicer, and each of the other lending institutions party thereto as participants, dated
December 6, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
with the SEC on December 12, 2016).

Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med Inc., Dent-A-Med Receivables Corporation, HC
Recovery, Inc. and Wells Fargo Preferred Capital, Inc., dated as of May 18, 2011 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2015).

First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med Inc., Dent-A-Med Receivables
Corporation, HC Recovery, Inc. and Wells Fargo Preferred Capital, Inc., dated as of August 3, 2011 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21,
2015).

Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med Inc., Dent-A-Med Receivables
Corporation, HC Recovery, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A, dated as of July 26, 2012 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2015).

Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med Inc., HC Recovery, Inc. and Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A, dated as of June 6, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2015).

Fourth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med Inc., HC Recovery, Inc. and Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A, dated as of November 7, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2015).

Fifth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med Inc., HC Recovery, Inc. and Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A, dated as of March 31, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2015).

Sixth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med Inc., HC Recovery, Inc. and Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A, dated as of October 24, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2015).

98

10.33

10.34

10.35

10.36

10.37

10.38

10.40

10.41

10.42

10.43

10.44

10.45

10.46

10.47

10.48

10.49

10.50

10.51

10.52

Seventh Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med Inc., HC Recovery, Inc. and
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A, dated as of February 3, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2015).

Eighth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med Inc., HC Recovery, Inc. and Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A, dated as of September 21, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2015).
Ninth Amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med, Inc., HC Recovery, Inc. and 
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A, dated as of December 29, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 of the Registrant’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016).

Tenth Amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med, Inc., HC Recovery, Inc. and 
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A, dated as of February 23, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 of the Registrant’s 
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016)

Eleventh Amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med, Inc., HC Recovery, Inc.
and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., dated as of May 5, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on May 5, 2016).

Twelfth Amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement by and among Dent-A-Med, Inc., HC Recovery, Inc. and
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., dated as of June 30, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 7, 2016).

Management Contracts and Compensatory Plans or Arrangements

Aaron’s Inc. Employees Retirement Plan, as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2016 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016
filed with the SEC on August 4, 2016).

First Amendment to the Employees Retirement Plan, dated as of June 28, 2016, to be effective October 4, 2016
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
June 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on August 4, 2016).
Amended and Restated Aaron Rents, Inc. 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 10, 2009).

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for awards made prior to February 2014 (incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 filed with 
the SEC on May 8, 2012).

Amendment to Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for awards made prior to February 2014 (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 
filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015).

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award for awards made in or after February 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10.29 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on 
February 24, 2013).
Form of Option Award Agreement for awards made prior to February 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 
of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on February 
24, 2013).

Form of Option Award Agreement for awards made in or after February 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10.30 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC on 
February 24, 2013).

Amendment to Form of Option Award Agreement for awards made in or after February 2014 (incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 filed with 
the SEC on August 6, 2015).
Form of Performance Share Award Agreement for awards made in or after February 2014 (incorporated by reference 
to Exhibit 10.31 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with 
the SEC on February 24, 2013).

Amendment to Form of Performance Share Award Agreement for awards made in or after February 2014
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2015 filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015).
Aaron's  Management  Performance  Plan  (Summary  of  terms  for  Home  Office  Vice  Presidents)  (incorporated  by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 5, 2011).

Aaron's, Inc. 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Award Plan Master Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Aaron's
Management Performance Plan) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 5, 2011).

10.53*

Aaron's, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan as amended and restated effective January 1, 2017.

99

10.54

10.55

10.56

10.57

10.58

10.59

10.60

10.61

10.62

10.63

10.64

10.65

10.66

10.67

10.68

10.69

21*

23*

31.1*

31.2*

32.1*

32.2*

Aaron’s, Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s
Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 7, 2015).

Form of Employee Stock Option Award Agreement under the Aaron’s, Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (333-204014)
filed with the SEC on May 8, 2015).

Form of Executive Performance Share Award Agreement under the Aaron’s, Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (333-204014)
filed with the SEC on May 8, 2015).

Amendment to Form of Executive Performance Share Award Agreement under the Aaron's, Inc. 2015 Equity and
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2015 filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015).

Form of Executive Officer Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Aaron’s, Inc. 2015 Equity and
Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8
(333-204014) filed with the SEC on May 8, 2015).

Amendment to Form of Executive Officer Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Aaron's, Inc. 2015
Equity and Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 filed with the SEC on August 6, 2015).

Form of Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Aaron’s, Inc. 2015 Equity and Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (333-204014)
filed with the SEC on May 8, 2015).
Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended and Restated, effective May 4, 2016 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016
filed with the SEC on August 4, 2016).

Employment Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2012, by and between Aaron's, Inc. and Ronald W. Allen
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
April 24, 2012).

Employment Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2012, by and between Aaron's, Inc. and Gilbert L. Danielson
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
April 24, 2012).

Employment Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2014, by and between Aaron's, Inc. and John W. Robinson
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015).

Amended and Restated Executive Severance Pay Plan of Aaron's, Inc., effective as of August 5, 2015 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.60 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2015 filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016.
Waiver and Release Agreement between Aaron's, Inc. and David L. Buck, dated August 22, 2014 (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 26, 2014).

Separation Agreement between Aaron's, Inc. and K. Todd Evans dated as of April 2, 2014 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014
filed with the SEC May 5, 2014).

Retirement Agreement between Aaron's, Inc. and R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr., dated August 24, 2012 (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 30, 2012).

Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant's Current Report on 
Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 14, 2014).

Other Exhibits and Certifications
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Aaron's, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Aaron's, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Aaron's, Inc. furnished herewith pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of Aaron's, Inc. furnished herewith pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

100

101

The following financial information from Aaron's, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 
31,  2016,  formatted  in  XBRL  (eXtensible  Business  Reporting  Language):  (i)  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  as  of 
December 31, 2016 and 2015, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 
and 2014, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 
2014,  (iv)  Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2016,  2015  and  2014,  (v) 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity for the Years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and (v) the 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

† The Company hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon the

request of the SEC.

* Filed herewith.

(b) EXHIBITS

The exhibits listed in Item 15(a)(3) are included elsewhere in this Report.

(c) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

The financial statements listed in Item 15(a)(1) are included in Item 8 in this Report.

101

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly 

caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on February 24, 2017.

SIGNATURES

AARON’S, INC.

By:

/s/ STEVEN A. MICHAELS
Steven A. Michaels
Chief Financial Officer and President of Strategic Operations

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following 

persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 24, 2017.

SIGNATURE
/s/ JOHN W. ROBINSON, III

John W. Robinson III

/s/ STEVEN A. MICHAELS

Steven A. Michaels

/s/ ROBERT P. SINCLAIR, JR.

Robert P. Sinclair, Jr.

/s/ KATHY T. BETTY

Kathy T. Betty

/s/ DOUGLAS C. CURLING

Douglas C. Curling

/s/ CYNTHIA N. DAY

Cynthia N. Day

/s/ CURTIS L. DOMAN

Curtis L. Doman

/s/ WALTER EHMER

Walter Ehmer

/s/ HUBERT L. HARRIS, JR.

Hubert L. Harris, Jr.

/s/ RAY M. ROBINSON

Ray M. Robinson

/s/ ROBERT YANKER

Robert Yanker

TITLE

Chief Executive Officer and Director 
(Principal Executive Officer)

Chief Financial Officer and President of Strategic
Operations (Principal Financial Officer)

Vice President, Corporate Controller 
(Principal Accounting Officer)

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

102

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This page intentionally left blank.

Board of Directors
Ray M. Robinson
Chairman of the Board 
Former President, 
Southern Region AT&T

Kathy T. Betty
Former Owner, 
WNBA Atlanta Dream

Douglas C. Curling
Managing Principal, 
New Kent Capital LLC and New 
Kent Consulting LLC

Curtis L. Doman
Co-Founder and Chief  
Technology Officer, 
Progressive Leasing

Cynthia N. Day
President and Chief 
Executive Officer, 
Citizens Bancshares Corporation 
and Citizens Trust Bank

Walter G. Ehmer
President and Chief 
Executive Officer, 
Waffle House, Inc.

Hubert L. Harris, Jr.
Retired Chief Executive Officer, 
Invesco North America

John W. Robinson III
President and Chief 
Executive Officer, 
Aaron’s, Inc.

Robert H. Yanker
Director Emeritus, 
McKinsey & Company

Executive Officers
John W. Robinson III
President and Chief Executive 
Officer

Aaron Barlow
Chief Strategy Officer

Robert W. Kamerschen
Executive Vice President, General 
Counsel, Chief Administrative 
Officer, Corporate Secretary

Douglas A. Lindsay
President, Aaron’s Sales & Lease 
Ownership

Robert P. Sinclair, Jr.
Vice President, Corporate 
Controller

Steven A. Michaels
Chief Financial Officer and 
President of Strategic Operations

Ryan K. Woodley
Chief Executive Officer, 
Progressive

Senior Managers
Tanner L. Barney
Vice President, Underwriting and 
Product Risk, Progressive Leasing

Gregory G. Bellof
Vice President, The Carolinas 
Operations

David T. Bier
Vice President, Northeastern 
Operations

Kelee Delaney
Vice President, Compliance, 
Progressive Leasing

Curtis L. Doman
Chief Technology Officer, 
Progressive Leasing

Russell S. Falkenstein
Vice President, Corporate 
Initiatives

Scott L. Harvey
Vice President, Franchising

Kurtis H. Hilton
Vice President, National 
Accounts, Progressive Leasing

Kevin J. Hrvatin
Vice President, Western 
Operations

Michael W. Jarnagin
Vice President, Manufacturing

Michael T. Jeffcoat
Vice President, Business 
Development

Robert M. Johns
Vice President, Regional Sales, 
Progressive Leasing

John H. Karr
Vice President, Compensation 
and Benefits

Joseph N. Fedorchak
Vice President, Southeastern 
Operations

Steve R. Kincanon
Vice President, Midwest 
Operations

Marvin A. Fentress
Chief Compliance Officer and 
General Counsel, Progressive 
Leasing

Michael T. King
Vice President and Chief 
Corporate Governance, M&A 
Securities and Law Counsel

Brian J. Garner
Vice President, Finance, 
Progressive Leasing

David A. Korn
Vice President, Chief Compliance 
Officer

Almir Hadzialjevic
Vice President, Enterprise Risk  
and Security

Frank W. Laura
Chief Information Officer, 
Progressive Leasing

Justin Hafer
Vice President, Mississippi Valley 
Operations

Larry F. Maher
Vice President, Strategy

Ryan E. Malone
Vice President, Southwestern 
Operations

Paige S. Mamula
Vice President, Real Estate and 
Construction

Douglas C. Matsumori
Vice President, Products and 
Integration, Progressive Leasing

Jason M. McFarland
Vice President, Talent Acquisition 
and Development

Tristan J. Montanero
Chief Operations Officer, Aaron’s 
Sales & Lease Ownership

Stephen Olsen
Senior Vice President and Chief 
Merchandising Officer, Aaron’s 
Sales & Lease Ownership

Mark D. Olson
Vice President, Marketing, 
Progressive Leasing

Michelle A. Parker
Vice President, Talent and Culture, 
Progressive Leasing

Ryan Ray
President, Dent-A-Med

Nate C. Roe
Vice President, Wireless, 
Progressive Leasing

Henri G. Rogers
Vice President, Northern 
Operations

Joseph Saez, Jr.
Vice President, Great Lakes 
Operations

Kirby M. Salgado
Vice President, Merchandising

Ted M. Scartz
Vice President and Deputy 
General Counsel

Thomas Stachowski
Vice President, Central 
Operations

Trevor S. Thatcher
Vice President, Operations, 
Progressive Leasing

John T. Trainor
Chief Information Officer 
and Senior Vice President, 
Omnichannel

Elizabeth F. Van Loon
Vice President, Associate 
Resources

Cory Voglesonger
Vice President, Technology 
Strategy and Innovation

Manjush Varghese
Vice President, Omnichannel

Christopher K. Wall
Vice President, IR and Treasury

Blake W. Wakefield
President and Chief Revenue 
Officer, Progressive Leasing

Tracey L. Whiston
Vice President, Procurement

Jill S. Young
Vice President, Internal Audit

400 Galleria Pkwy SE
Suite 300
Atlanta, GA 30339 
(404) 231-0011 
www.aarons.com 
investor.aarons.com