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 · Google rating shown when a stored review count is available
FirstCash, Inc. is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and operates as the leading international pawn store operator with over 3,300 retail locations across 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 listed on both the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Russell 2000 Index, indicating significant scale and institutional credibility in the pawn industry.
FirstCash serves cash and credit-constrained consumers through its core pawn store business, which buys and sells a wide variety of merchandise including jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, and musical instruments. The company makes small non-recourse pawn loans secured by pledged personal property—meaning borrowers are not personally liable if the collateral doesn't cover the loan amount. Additional services include layaway plans with 10% down payments, gold/silver/platinum buying at spot prices with short-term cash access payment, and retail merchandise sales from their inventory.
What distinguishes FirstCash is its massive scale (3,300+ locations versus typical independent pawn shops), national brand recognition, and diversified service offerings beyond basic pawn loans. The company also operates AFF, a wholly owned subsidiary providing lease-to-own and retail finance solutions through 15,000+ merchant partner locations, demonstrating operational sophistication beyond traditional pawn operations. Their layaway service and listed gold-buying programs cater to different consumer segments within their core market.
For consumers researching short-term cash access against personal property, FirstCash offers accessibility and standardized terms across locations. However, pawn loans still carry the fundamental caveat that borrowers must reclaim pledged items within the loan term or lose them. Additionally, while non-recourse loans protect borrowers from debt collection, they still represent a costly way to access emergency cash compared to traditional unsecured lending, making them best suited for those with no credit access.
This is state-level context for Pawn Shops consumers in Austin, TX. It does not confirm that Smart Pawn & Jewelry 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.
Smart Pawn & Jewelry offers 8 services including Pawn loans secured by personal property (jewelry, electronics, tools, instruments, sporting goods), Non-recourse pawn loans (borrower not liable if collateral value doesn't cover loan), Gold, silver, and platinum buying at competitive spot prices with immediate cash payment, Retail sales of used and new merchandise (jewelry, electronics, appliances, musical instruments), Layaway service with 10% down payment option for merchandise purchases, and 3 more.
Smart Pawn & Jewelry has profile signals associated with Consumers with no access to traditional credit who need immediate emergency cash against personal property, People with valuable jewelry, electronics, or instruments who prefer non-recourse lending over personal loans, Those seeking to buy discounted merchandise from pawn inventory or layaway items they're committed to purchasing, Individuals wanting to sell gold, silver, or platinum at spot prices without dealer markups.
Key strengths: 3,300+ locations across 29 U.S. states, UK, and Latin America for accessibility and convenience; Non-recourse pawn loans mean borrowers cannot be sued if collateral doesn't cover the loan balance; short-term cash access payment on the spot for gold, silver, platinum, and merchandise sales. Areas to consider: Pawn loans are inherently expensive compared to traditional credit and require item redemption or loss; Limited information on interest rates, loan terms, and APR equivalents on the public website.
In the Pawn Shops category, comparable providers include American Jewelry & Loan - Hazel Park, Cash Plus Pawn, William S. Rich & Son. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
Smart Pawn & Jewelry serves customers in 2 states including Texas, North Carolina.
CreditDoc Profile Note
FirstCash is profile signals for cash-constrained consumers needing immediate funds against collateral, particularly those without access to traditional credit. The main caveat is that pawn loans are expensive compared to other credit forms and require item redemption or forfeiture—they should be a last resort, not a primary borrowing strategy.
American Jewelry & Loan is a Detroit-based pawn shop operating since 1978, offering collateral loans, buying, and selling of jewelry, electronics, tools, and valuables across multiple Michigan locations.
Google rating from 763 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers researching short-term cash access with eligibility claims to verify or lengthy approval processes, People with poor credit history who may not meet traditional personal-loan criteria
Cash Plus Pawn Fort Worth, TX — Cash Plus Pawn is a pawn shop offering collateral-based loans in exchange for personal items. Limited public information...
Google rating from 124 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers with valuable items (jewelry, electronics, tools) who are researching short-term cash access, People with poor credit or no credit history who may not meet traditional loan criteria
Established NJ pawnbroker since 1890 offering pawn loans, jewelry sales, and buy/sell/trade services across 5 locations with provider-stated funding timing and eligibility claims to verify.
Google rating from 102 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers researching short-term cash access without credit approval for short-term loans, Sellers of pre-owned jewelry, watches, electronics, or musical instruments seeking fair market value
Answer 3 quick questions to review category, service, and profile context.
1. What's your primary financial goal?
Learn exactly how credit score tiers work, what range you fall into, and the specific steps to move up to the next tier where better rates and approvals wait.
Read guide →Learn exactly how to check your credit score for free using legitimate sources, understand the difference between soft and hard inquiries, and know your rights under federal law.
Read guide →A plain-language breakdown of every factor that goes into your credit score, with specific steps to improve each one even if you're starting from a tough spot.
Read guide →Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Smart Pawn & Jewelry and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Compensation does not determine whether a provider can be covered; visible star ratings use stored Google review ratings when available. Learn more.