FirstCash is the leading international pawn shop operator with 3,300+ retail locations across the U.S., Latin America, and the UK, offering pawn loans secured by personal property and retail merchandise sales.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
FirstCash, Inc., headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the largest international operator of pawn stores with over 3,300 retail locations spanning 29 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the United Kingdom, and Latin America (Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and El Salvador). The company employs approximately 22,000 people and is indexed in both the S&P MidCap 400 and Russell 2000, indicating its significant scale in the consumer finance sector.
FirstCash serves cash and credit-constrained consumers through two primary business lines: retail pawn operations and payment solutions through its AFF subsidiary. At pawn stores, customers can obtain non-recourse pawn loans secured by pledged personal property—jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, and musical instruments. The company also buys and sells merchandise, operates a layaway service requiring 10% down, and purchases precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) for immediate cash. Through AFF, FirstCash provides lease-to-own and retail finance payment solutions via over 15,000 merchant partner locations nationwide.
FirstCash distinguishes itself through its massive geographic footprint and inventory diversity. Unlike smaller regional pawn shops, FirstCash operates an integrated retail network with established brand recognition, standardized loan processes, and a published store locator system. The company explicitly targets underbanked populations with multiple entry points—traditional pawn loans, merchandise liquidation, gold buying, and layaway options. Their scale allows faster capital deployment and consistent service standards across thousands of locations.
While FirstCash offers legitimate financial access for those without traditional credit, the pawn model carries inherent limitations: loan amounts are restricted by collateral value, items may be forfeited if loans aren't repaid, and the business model depends on selling consumer goods at retail markup. Interest rates and terms are not disclosed on the public website, limiting transparency for prospective borrowers. The company's international expansion and scale suggest operational maturity, but pawn lending remains a high-friction way to access capital compared to unsecured personal loans or credit alternatives.
Yes. Fast Cash is a registered company headquartered in 1339 W Olney Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19141. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
FirstCash is best for individuals with immediate cash needs and valuable pledgeable assets who lack access to traditional credit. The primary caveat is that actual loan terms, interest rates, and APRs are not disclosed online—borrowers must visit a store to understand the true cost, and the model carries risk of losing valuable personal property if unable to repay.
7-Gates Credit Solutions offers credit repair and auditing services to help remove inaccurate items from credit reports and improve credit scores through dispute processes.
Best for: Consumers with inaccurate or outdated negative items on their credit reports, People who have been denied credit and want professional help identifying and disputing errors
Bank of America Financial Center in Kensington, Philadelphia offering full-service banking with walk-up ATM, appointment scheduling, and specialist guidance for personal and business financial needs.
Best for: Philadelphia residents and businesses already using Bank of America who prefer in-person specialist consultations, Small business owners needing commercial deposit services and business banking specialists
LendPlans is an online loan marketplace that connects borrowers with personal loan lenders offering up to $5,000 through a simple digital application process.
Best for: Borrowers seeking quick online personal loans under $5,000 who prefer not to visit physical locations, Applicants with non-prime credit seeking lenders willing to work with lower credit scores
Learn what makes up your credit score, how it's calculated, what the ranges mean, and how to check yours for free.
Read guide →Your credit report contains the raw data behind your score. Learn what's in it, how to read it, and how to dispute errors that could be dragging your score down.
Read guide →Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm — they make spending easy. But what happens to your credit score when you use them? Here's what the fine print doesn't tell you.
Read guide →Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Fast Cash and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.