FirstCash is the leading international operator of pawn stores with 3,300+ locations across 29 U.S. states, the UK, and Latin America, offering pawn loans, retail sales, and gold buying services.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
FirstCash, Inc. is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and operates as the leading international pawn store operator with over 3,300 retail locations. The company was founded to serve cash and credit-constrained consumers who need flexible lending and retail solutions. FirstCash employs approximately 22,000 people across the U.S., Latin America (Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, El Salvador), and the United Kingdom, and is listed on both the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Russell 2000 Index.
FirstCash's core business centers on pawn loans secured by pledged personal property—a non-recourse lending model where customers receive cash in exchange for temporarily surrendering items of value. Beyond lending, the company operates a large retail operation buying and selling jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, musical instruments, and general merchandise. They also offer gold and precious metals buying services, layaway plans (with 10% down payment), and through their subsidiary AFF, provide lease-to-own and retail finance solutions through 15,000+ merchant partners.
What distinguishes FirstCash is its massive scale as the dominant international pawn operator, combined with its expansion into complementary financial services like layaway and retail financing through AFF. Their inventory-based model—buying merchandise at competitive prices and reselling it—creates a self-sustaining business cycle different from traditional lenders. The company's public status and index inclusion indicate institutional credibility and operational maturity.
FirstCash serves a legitimate financial need for consumers who lack traditional credit access or need immediate cash without credit checks. However, customers should understand that pawn loans are asset-backed and non-recourse, meaning failure to repay results in loss of the pledged item. While FirstCash is a large, regulated operator with transparent processes, pawn loans carry interest rates and terms that should be carefully reviewed before pledging valuable personal property.
Yes. Doc Holiday Pawn is a registered company, headquartered in Fort Worth, TX.
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CreditDoc Diagnosis
FirstCash is best for consumers with valuable personal items who need immediate cash without credit scrutiny, or shoppers seeking discounted merchandise. The primary caveat is that pawn loans are secured by physical collateral—failure to repay means permanent loss of the pledged item—making this suitable only for non-essential goods or as a genuinely short-term bridge rather than an ongoing lending solution.
Family-owned Las Vegas pawn shop since 1975 offering collateral-based loans on jewelry, watches, and designer bags with an 8% monthly interest rate.
Best for: Individuals with valuable jewelry, watches, or designer bags who need emergency cash and can repay within 30-90 days, Customers seeking collateral-based loans who want faster processing than title loan lenders
NYC Pawn Shops specializes in luxury item pawning, offering competitive rates for gold, diamonds, and high-end watches like Rolex and Patek Philippe with over 30 years of industry experience.
Best for: Individuals with luxury watches (Rolex, Patek Philippe) or fine jewelry needing quick cash and collateral-based lending, Sellers of gold, diamonds, or gemstones seeking specialized appraisal from a Diamond District location
Union Pawn Brokers is a pawn shop located in Los Angeles offering collateral-based loans and goods trading. Limited business information available beyond location and hours.
Best for: Customers needing immediate cash with collateral-based loans, Those without credit access or looking to avoid traditional lending
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