FirstCash, Inc. is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and operates as the leading international pawn store chain with over 3,300 retail locations. The company was founded to serve cash and credit-constrained consumers who need fast access to capital without traditional credit requirements. FirstCash employs approximately 22,000 people across the United States, Latin America, and the United Kingdom, and is listed on both the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Russell 2000 Index.
FirstCash's primary business model centers on pawn loans—non-recourse loans secured by pledged personal property such as jewelry, electronics, tools, appliances, sporting goods, and musical instruments. Beyond pawn lending, the company operates retail sales of previously pawned merchandise, gold and precious metal buying services, and layaway plans requiring 10% down payments. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary AFF, FirstCash also provides lease-to-own and retail finance payment solutions through a network of over 15,000 merchant partner locations nationwide.
FirstCash distinguishes itself through its massive geographic footprint spanning 29 U.S. states plus Washington D.C., the United Kingdom, Mexico (all states), Guatemala, Colombia, and El Salvador. The company's scale, brand recognition, and technology-driven point-of-sale systems set it apart from smaller regional pawn operators. Their diverse merchandise buying and selling operations create a retail component that extends beyond lending.
For consumers, FirstCash offers short-term cash access with eligibility claims to verify, making it genuinely useful for those in urgent financial situations. However, pawn loans inherently carry the risk of losing pledged items if not repaid, and while non-recourse, the terms may not be favorable compared to traditional credit. The company's size and ubiquity make it convenient, but borrowers should understand they are trading personal property for short-term liquidity.