Cash America Pawn, now operating under FirstCash Holdings, is one of the largest pawn shop chains in the U.S. with over 3,300 locations across 29 states.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
Cash America Pawn is a brand operating under FirstCash Holdings, Inc., the leading international operator of pawn stores headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. FirstCash acquired Cash America in 2016, creating a combined entity with more than 3,300 retail pawn locations spanning 29 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, the United Kingdom, and Latin America — including all states in Mexico and the countries of Guatemala, Colombia, and El Salvador. FirstCash is a publicly traded company and a component of both the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Russell 2000 Index, employing approximately 22,000 people globally.
The core offering is small, non-recourse pawn loans secured by pledged personal property. Customers bring in items of value — jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, or musical instruments — and receive a short-term cash loan using that item as collateral. If the loan is not repaid, the customer simply forfeits the item with no credit damage. Beyond loans, locations buy and sell a wide variety of secondhand merchandise and purchase gold, silver, and platinum outright for immediate cash. A layaway service is also available, allowing customers to reserve items with as little as 10% down. Through its wholly owned subsidiary AFF, FirstCash also offers lease-to-own and retail finance payment solutions via over 15,000 merchant partner locations nationwide.
What distinguishes Cash America / FirstCash is scale and geographic reach. With over 2,500 stores across North and Latin America and hundreds more in the UK, it operates one of the most accessible pawn networks in the world. The store locator makes it straightforward to find a nearby location. The company focuses specifically on cash-constrained and credit-constrained consumers who may not qualify for traditional bank loans, positioning pawn loans as a no-credit-check, no-application alternative.
For consumers who need fast cash without a credit check, pawn loans are genuinely accessible — but they come at a cost. Pawn loan interest rates are regulated by state law and vary widely, but they are typically very high on an APR basis. There is no credit reporting (positive or negative), so pawn loans do not help build credit. The loan amount is typically a fraction of the item's resale value, meaning customers may receive less cash than expected for valuable items. That said, for someone who needs emergency cash and owns qualifying property, a pawn loan avoids the debt trap of rollovers that some payday lenders create.
Yes. Cash America Pawn is a registered company headquartered in 1705 Pat Booker Rd, Universal City, TX 78148. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Cash America Pawn (now FirstCash) is best for consumers who need fast, no-credit-check cash and own physical items of value they can pledge as collateral. The main caveat is that pawn loan amounts are typically well below market value for pledged items, and interest rates — while state-regulated — are high compared to conventional lending options.
ACE Cash Express offers small emergency loans, title loans, check cashing, and financial services with multiple Colorado locations. Same-day or next-day funding available.
Best for: Consumers in Colorado seeking same-day or next-day emergency cash with title or collateral-based options, People needing check cashing, money transfers, or bill payment services at physical locations
Allied Loan offers same-day and installment loans up to small amounts in the San Antonio area, including title loans for borrowers with poor credit.
Best for: Borrowers in the San Antonio area facing immediate emergency expenses (car repair, medical bills, rent), Individuals with bad credit or no credit history unable to qualify for traditional bank loans
FirstCash is the leading international pawn shop operator with 3,300+ locations across the U.S., Latin America, and the UK, offering pawn loans, retail sales, and gold buying services.
Best for: Consumers with immediate cash needs who lack access to traditional credit or banking services, Individuals with items of value (jewelry, electronics, instruments) they're willing to pledge as collateral
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