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FirstCash is the leading international operator of pawn stores with 3,300+ locations across 29 U.S. states, D.C., the UK, and Latin America, offering pawn loans, retail sales, and gold buying services.
Data compiled from public sources
FirstCash, Inc. is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and operates as the largest international pawn shop chain. The company was founded to serve cash and credit-constrained consumers through a network of retail pawn locations across North America, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and El Salvador. With approximately 22,000 employees globally, FirstCash has established itself as a major player in the alternative lending and retail merchandise space.
FirstCash's core business model centers on pawn loans—non-recourse loans secured by pledged personal property—along with buying and selling a wide variety of merchandise including jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, and musical instruments. In addition to pawn lending, the company offers layaway services (with 10% down payments), gold and precious metal purchasing, and retail sales of secondhand goods. Through its subsidiary AFF, FirstCash also provides lease-to-own and retail finance payment solutions across a network of 15,000+ merchant partner locations, diversifying its revenue streams beyond traditional pawn operations.
What distinguishes FirstCash is its scale and geographic reach—operating over 3,300 pawn stores makes it significantly larger than typical regional pawn shops. The company is listed on both the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Russell 2000 Index, indicating it is a publicly traded, established financial services provider. The integration of technology-driven point-of-sale systems and retail finance solutions through AFF sets it apart from independent pawn operators. Additionally, the company's merchandise buying program (gold, jewelry, electronics) provides customers with short-term cash access alternatives to loans.
For consumers seeking pawn loans or merchandise sales, FirstCash offers accessibility through its extensive store network and established brand reputation as a publicly traded company. However, pawn loans inherently carry the risk of losing pledged items if loans are not repaid, and interest rates on pawn loans, while typically lower than payday loans, still represent a cost for short-term borrowing. The company's layaway service and retail operations suggest it competes in both lending and retail, but pawn lending remains its primary service.
This is state-level context for Pawn Shops consumers in Houston, TX. It does not confirm that Bayou Pawn or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner
Consumer protection
Short-term lending status: Legal
General rate context: 10% for written contracts (18% default); payday/auto title loans regulated as credit access businesses
Texas allows payday and auto title lending through the Credit Access Business model, which lacks state-level fee caps. Several cities have enacted local ordinances to limit loan amounts and rollovers. Consumers can file complaints with the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner or the Attorney General.
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Bayou Pawn offers 10 services including Pawn loans secured by personal property with non-recourse terms, Gold and precious metal purchasing with immediate cash payment, Buy and sell of used jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, and musical instruments, Layaway service with 10% down payment option, Retail sales of secondhand merchandise through physical store locations, and 5 more.
Bayou Pawn has profile signals associated with Consumers with valuable items (jewelry, electronics, instruments) researching short-term cash access with eligibility claims to verify, Individuals seeking short-term loans without impacting their credit report or score, People looking to buy secondhand merchandise at discounted prices or shop for unique items, Customers preferring installment purchases through layaway with minimal upfront commitment.
Key strengths: 3,300+ locations across 29 U.S. states, D.C., UK, and Latin America provides extensive accessibility; Non-recourse pawn loans mean eligibility claim to verify and no personal liability beyond losing the pledged item; short-term cash access on the spot for gold, jewelry, and other valuable items without lengthy application processes. Areas to consider: Risk of losing pledged personal property if loan is not repaid within the agreed timeframe; Pawn loans carry interest rates that, while competitive against payday loans, still represent a borrowing cost.
In the Pawn Shops category, comparable providers include Gold Star Finance, TitleMax Title Loans, TitleMax Title Loans. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
FirstCash is profile signals for consumers who own valuable items and are researching short-term cash access with eligibility claims to verify or credit reporting, or for those seeking discounted secondhand merchandise. The primary caveat is that pawn loans require surrendering personal property as collateral—if the loan is not repaid, the item is forfeited and sold, making this option higher-risk in listed context than unsecured lending for items of sentimental or critical value.
Gold Star Finance offers installment signature loans from $200–$1,700 across 68+ Texas locations. Established 1978, they focus on accessible small loans for consumers with imperfect credit.
Profile signals: Texas residents with poor/fair credit needing $200–$1,700 for immediate expenses, Borrowers seeking installment loans over payday/title loans with longer repayment terms
In Carrollton, TX, TitleMax Title Loans at 2717 E Belt Line Rd provides title-loan profile details with rate claims to verify and flexible repayment terms.
Profile signals: Vehicle owners with poor or no credit who own a paid-off car or motorcycle and are researching short-term cash access, Borrowers who need provider-stated funding timing and may not meet traditional bank-loan criteria or credit cards
Irving, TX's TitleMax Title Loans at 2720 N Belt Line Rd provides quick title-secured loans for customers researching emergency-cash options.
Profile signals: Consumers with poor or no credit history who own a paid-off vehicle outright, People needing same-day cash access who cannot qualify for a bank loan or credit card
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