FirstCash, Inc. is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and operates as the leading international pawn shop chain with over 3,300 retail locations spanning 29 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the United Kingdom, and Latin America (including all Mexican states, Guatemala, Colombia, and El Salvador). The company employs approximately 22,000 people and is listed on both the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Russell 2000 Index, indicating its scale as a major publicly traded consumer finance operator.
FirstCash's primary service is providing pawn loans—non-recourse loans secured by pledged personal property such as jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, and musical instruments. Beyond lending, the company operates as a retail merchant, buying and selling merchandise across these categories. The company also offers layaway services (10% down payment plans), gold/precious metal buying, and through its subsidiary AFF, lease-to-own and retail finance payment solutions through 15,000+ merchant partner locations.
FirstCash distinguishes itself through its massive geographic footprint and integrated retail-plus-lending model. Unlike smaller regional pawn shops, FirstCash offers a consistent multi-state (and international) network, making it accessible to consumers across North and Latin America. The company's inclusion in major stock indices and substantial employee base reflect its establishment as a mature, regulated financial services provider rather than a small independent shop.
For consumers, FirstCash provides genuine pawn loans with transparent, collateral-based structures—avoiding the debt spiral risks of payday loans or credit card debt. However, pawn loans still require surrendering personal property and offer limited funds relative to collateral value. The service is most appropriate for those with valuable items and immediate cash needs who want to avoid traditional credit, though it results in asset loss if the loan isn't repaid.