================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 --------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): DECEMBER 31, 2002 ---------------- RENT-A-CENTER EAST, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) DELAWARE 0-25370 48-1024367 (State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 5700 TENNYSON PARKWAY THIRD FLOOR PLANO, TEXAS 75024 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (972) 801-1100 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) RENT-A-CENTER, INC. (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) ================================================================================

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS. Rent-A-Center East, Inc. (formerly Rent-A-Center, Inc.), a Delaware corporation ("RAC EAST"), formed Rent-A-Center, Inc. (formerly, Rent-A-Center Holdings, Inc.), a Delaware corporation ("RAC"), to adopt a holding company organizational structure in accordance with Section 251(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"). The holding company organizational structure was effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "PLAN OF MERGER") among RAC, RAC East and RAC Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of RAC ("MERGER SUB"). The Plan of Merger, which was effected on December 31, 2002, provided for the merger of Merger Sub with and into RAC East, with RAC East continuing as the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of RAC (the "MERGER"). Prior to the Merger, RAC was a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of RAC East, organized for the purpose of implementing the holding company organizational structure. For Federal income tax purposes, the Merger qualified as a tax-free reorganization under the provisions of Sections 351 and 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Pursuant to Section 251(g) of the DGCL, common stockholder approval of the Merger was not required. As a result of the Merger, the consolidated assets and liabilities of RAC East prior to the Merger became the consolidated assets and liabilities of RAC immediately after the Merger. By operation of the Merger, all of RAC East's capital stock, issued and outstanding or held in treasury, was converted, on a share for share basis, into capital stock of RAC. As a result, each stockholder of RAC East became the owner of an identical number of shares of capital stock of RAC and received securities of the same class, evidencing the same proportional interests in RAC and having designations, rights and preferences, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions, identical to those that the stockholder held in RAC East. Additionally, each outstanding option to purchase shares of RAC East's common stock automatically converted into an option to purchase, upon the same terms and conditions, an identical number of shares of RAC's common stock. In connection with the Merger, RAC East's name was changed to "Rent-A-Center East, Inc." and RAC's name was changed to "Rent-A-Center, Inc." The conversion of shares of capital stock in the Merger occurred without an exchange of stock certificates. Accordingly, certificates formerly representing shares of outstanding capital stock of RAC East are deemed to represent the same number of shares of capital stock of RAC. RAC's common stock will continue to be quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "RCII" without interruption. In accordance with Section 251(g) of the DGCL, the provisions of the restated certificate of incorporation and the amended and restated bylaws of RAC East in effect immediately after the Merger are substantially identical to those of RAC East prior to the Merger, other than as required or permitted under Section 251(g) of the DGCL. Similarly, the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of RAC are substantially identical to those of RAC East prior to the Merger, other than as required or permitted under Section 251(g) of the DGCL. The authorized capital stock of RAC, the designations, rights and preferences of such capital stock and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof are also substantially identical to those of RAC East's capital stock immediately prior to the Merger. In addition, the directors of RAC are the same individuals who served as the directors of RAC East immediately prior to the Merger. Pursuant to the Merger, RAC, RAC East, certain subsidiaries of RAC East and the trustee under the Indenture, dated December 19, 2001, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated May 2

1, 2002, and the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated September 30, 2002, relating to RAC East's 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008, Series D (the "NOTES"), entered into a Third Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which RAC fully and unconditionally guaranteed RAC East's obligations under the Indenture. The Third Supplemental Indenture did not require the consent of the holders of the Notes. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS. (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. Not applicable. (b) Pro Forma Financial Information. Not applicable. (c) Exhibits. 2.1* Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 30, 2002, by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc. (formerly, Rent-A-Center Holdings, Inc.), Rent-A-Center East, Inc. (formerly, Rent-A-Center, Inc.) and RAC Merger Sub, Inc. 4.2* Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 31, 2002, by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc. (formerly Rent-A-Center Holdings, Inc.), Rent-A-Center East, Inc. (formerly, Rent-A-Center, Inc.), as Issuer, ColorTyme, Inc., Rent-A-Center West, Inc. (formerly, Advantage Companies, Inc.), Get It Now, LLC, Rent-A-Center Texas, L.P., and Rent-A-Center Texas, L.L.C., as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. - ---------- * Filed Herewith. 3

SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. RENT-A-CENTER EAST, INC. Date: December 31, 2002 By: /s/ Mark E. Speese --------------------------------------- Mark E. Speese Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer 4

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT ------- ---------------------- 2.1* Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 30, 2002, by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc. (formerly, Rent-A-Center Holdings, Inc.), Rent-A-Center East, Inc. (formerly, Rent-A-Center, Inc.) and RAC Merger Sub, Inc. 4.2* Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 31, 2002, by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc. (formerly Rent-A-Center Holdings, Inc.), Rent-A-Center East, Inc. (formerly, Rent-A-Center, Inc.), as Issuer, ColorTyme, Inc., Rent-A-Center West, Inc. (formerly, Advantage Companies, Inc.), Get It Now, LLC, Rent-A-Center Texas, L.P., and Rent-A-Center Texas, L.L.C., as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.
- ---------- * Filed Herewith.

EXHIBIT 2.1 AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AMONG RENT-A-CENTER, INC., RENT-A-CENTER HOLDINGS, INC. AND RAC MERGER SUB, INC. DATED DECEMBER 30, 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE ARTICLE I THE MERGER.............................................................................................2 Section 1.1. The Merger.......................................................................................2 Section 1.2. Effective Time...................................................................................2 Section 1.3. Certificate Of Incorporation.....................................................................3 Section 1.4. Bylaws...........................................................................................3 Section 1.5. Directors........................................................................................3 Section 1.6. Officers.........................................................................................4 Section 1.7. Additional Actions...............................................................................4 Section 1.8. Conversion Of Securities.........................................................................4 Section 1.9. No Surrender Of Certificates.....................................................................5 ARTICLE II ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER.....................................................5 Section 2.1. Company Indebtedness.............................................................................5 Section 2.2. Assumption Of Employee Benefit Plans.............................................................5 Section 2.3. Reservation Of Shares............................................................................6 ARTICLE III CONDITIONS OF MERGER.................................................................................6 Section 3.1. Conditions Precedent.............................................................................6 ARTICLE IV COVENANTS.............................................................................................7 Section 4.1. Holdings Charter and Bylaws......................................................................7 Section 4.2. Directors of Holdings............................................................................7 Section 4.3. Employee Benefit Plans...........................................................................7 ARTICLE V TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT..............................................................................7 Section 5.1. Termination......................................................................................7 Section 5.2. Amendments.......................................................................................7 ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS..............................................................................7 Section 6.1. Governing Law....................................................................................7 Section 6.2. Counterparts.....................................................................................8 Section 6.3. Entire Agreement.................................................................................8
i

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER This Agreement and Plan of Merger (this "AGREEMENT"), is entered into on December 30, 2002, by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), Rent-A-Center Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("HOLDINGS") and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and RAC Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("MERGER SUB") and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings. RECITALS WHEREAS, as of December 27, 2002, the Company's authorized capital stock consisted of (i) 125,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "COMPANY COMMON STOCK"), of which 34,927,718 shares were issued and outstanding and 4,599,269 shares were held in the Company's treasury; and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which, (a) 400,000 shares have been designated as Series A Preferred Stock (the "COMPANY SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK"), of which two shares were issued and outstanding, and (b) 4,600,000 shares were undesignated; and WHEREAS, immediately prior to the Effective Time (as defined below), Holdings' authorized capital stock consisted of (i) 125,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "HOLDINGS COMMON STOCK"), of which 1,000 shares were issued and outstanding and owned by the Company; and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which (a) 400,000 shares have been designated as Series A Preferred Stock (the "HOLDINGS SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK"), none of which were issued and outstanding, and (b) 4,600,000 shares were undesignated; and WHEREAS, immediately prior to the Effective Time, Merger Sub's authorized capital stock consisted of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, (the "MERGER SUB COMMON STOCK"), of which 1,000 shares were issued and outstanding and owned by Holdings; and WHEREAS, the designations, rights and preferences, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the Holdings Common Stock and the Holdings Series A Preferred Stock are identical to those of the Company Common Stock and the Company Series A Preferred Stock, respectively; and WHEREAS, the certificate of incorporation of Holdings (the "HOLDINGS CHARTER") and the bylaws of Holdings (the "HOLDINGS BYLAWS") in effect immediately after the Effective Time will contain provisions identical to the Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the "COMPANY CHARTER") and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the "COMPANY BYLAWS") in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than as required or permitted by Section 251(g) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL")); and WHEREAS, the directors of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the directors of Holdings as of the Effective Time; and 1

WHEREAS, Holdings and Merger Sub are newly formed corporations organized for the sole purpose of participating in the transactions contemplated herein and have nominal assets and liabilities, if any; and WHEREAS, the Company desires to create a holding company organizational structure by merging Merger Sub with and into the Company, with (i) the Company continuing as the surviving corporation of such merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings; (ii) each outstanding share (or any fraction thereof) of the Company Common Stock being converted in such merger into a like number of shares of the Holdings Common Stock; and (iii) each outstanding share (or any fraction thereof) of the Company Series A Preferred Stock being converted in such merger into a like number of shares of the Holdings Series A Preferred Stock, all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (the "MERGER"); and WHEREAS, the purpose of creating the holding company structure is to better reflect the operating practices and methods of the Company and to yield economies in operations and otherwise; and WHEREAS, the boards of directors of Holdings, Merger Sub and the Company have approved and adopted this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, in consideration of the premises and the covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company, Holdings and Merger Sub, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: ARTICLE I THE MERGER SECTION 1.1. THE MERGER. In accordance with Section 251(g) of the DGCL and subject to, and upon the terms and conditions of, this Agreement, Merger Sub shall, at the Effective Time, be merged with and into the Company, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease, and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation of the Merger (the "SURVIVING CORPORATION") and become a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings. At the Effective Time, the effects of the Merger shall be as provided in Section 259 of the DGCL. It is the intent of the parties that Holdings, as of the Effective Time, be deemed a "successor issuer" for purposes of continuing offerings of securities pursuant to registration statements of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), and for registration and reporting purposes under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. For Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger shall qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the provisions of Sections 351 and 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. SECTION 1.2. EFFECTIVE TIME. As soon as practicable on or after the date hereof, the parties shall cause this Agreement, or a certificate of merger in lieu of filing this Agreement, executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL, to be filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware and shall make all other filings or recordings required under the DGCL to 2

effectuate the Merger. The Merger shall become effective as of 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on December 31, 2002 or as the parties shall otherwise agree (such date and time being referred to herein as the "EFFECTIVE TIME"). SECTION 1.3. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION. From and after the Effective Time, the Company Charter, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation (the "SURVIVING CORPORATION CHARTER") until thereafter amended as provided therein or by the DGCL, except as follows: (a) Article First thereof shall be amended so as to read in its entirety as follows: "FIRST: The name of the corporation is Rent-A-Center East, Inc." (b) Article Fourth thereof shall be amended so as to read in its entirety as follows: "FOURTH: The aggregate number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,000 shares of common stock, having a par value of $0.01 per share (the "COMMON STOCK")." (c) A new Article Eleventh shall be added thereto which shall be and read in its entirety as follows: "ELEVENTH: Vote of Stockholders of Rent-A-Center, Inc. Required to Approve Certain Actions. Any act or transaction by or involving the Corporation, other than the election or removal of directors of the Corporation, that requires for its adoption under the DGCL or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation the approval of the stockholders of the Corporation shall, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 251(g) of the DGCL, require, in addition, the approval of the stockholders of Rent-A-Center, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto by merger, by the same vote that is required by the DGCL or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation." SECTION 1.4. BYLAWS. From and after the Effective Time, the Company Bylaws, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall constitute the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation (the "SURVIVING CORPORATION BYLAWS") until thereafter amended as provided therein or by applicable law, except that all references in the Surviving Corporation Bylaws to "Rent-A-Center, Inc." shall be changed to "Rent-A-Center East, Inc." SECTION 1.5. DIRECTORS. The directors of the Company in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation and will continue to hold office from the Effective Time until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in the manner provided in the Surviving Corporation Charter and the Surviving Corporation Bylaws, or as otherwise provided by law. 3

SECTION 1.6. OFFICERS. The executive officers of the Company in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the executive officers of the Surviving Corporation until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in the manner provided in the Surviving Corporation Charter and the Surviving Corporation Bylaws, or as otherwise provided by law. SECTION 1.7. ADDITIONAL ACTIONS. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the parties hereto shall take all such reasonable and lawful actions as may be necessary, advisable or appropriate in order to effectuate the Merger, which shall include executing and delivering an Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the "ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT"), in such form as the Company and Holdings determine to be appropriate to evidence the assignment to, and assumption by, Holdings of such rights, interests, obligations and liabilities as the Company and Holdings determine to be appropriate. If, at any time after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments, assurances or any other actions or things are necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, properties or assets of either Merger Sub or the Company acquired or to be acquired by the Surviving Corporation as a result of, or in connection with, the Merger or otherwise to carry out this Agreement, the officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be authorized to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of each of Merger Sub and the Company, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and to take and do, in the name and on behalf of each of Merger Sub and the Company or otherwise, all such other actions and things as may be necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm any and all right, title and interest in, to and under such rights, properties or assets in the Surviving Corporation or otherwise to carry out this Agreement. SECTION 1.8. CONVERSION OF SECURITIES. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Holdings, Merger Sub, the Company or the holder of any of the following securities: (a) Conversion of the Company Common Stock. Each share of the Company Common Stock (or fraction of a share of the Company Common Stock) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and thereafter represent one duly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share (or equal fraction of a share) of the Holdings Common Stock. (b) Conversion of the Company Common Stock Held as Treasury Stock. Each share of the Company Common Stock (or fraction of a share of the Company Common Stock) held by the Company as treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and thereafter represent one share (or equal fraction of a share) of the Holdings Common Stock held by the Company. (c) Conversion of the Company Series A Preferred Stock. Each share of the Company Series A Preferred Stock (or fraction of a share of the Company Series A Preferred Stock) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and thereafter represent one duly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share (or equal fraction of a share) of the Holdings Series A Preferred Stock. 4

(d) Conversion of Capital Stock of Merger Sub. Each share of Merger Sub Common Stock (or fraction of a share of Merger Sub Common Stock) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and thereafter represent one duly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation and shall, upon conversion, constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation, so that, following the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall be a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings. (e) Cancellation of Capital Stock of Holdings. Each share of the Holdings Common Stock owned by the Company immediately prior to the Merger shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist. (f) Rights of Certificate Holders. From and after the Effective Time, holders of certificates formerly evidencing the Company Common Stock and the Company Series A Preferred Stock shall cease to have any rights as stockholders of the Company, except as provided by law; except, however, that such holders shall have the rights set forth in Section 1.9 herein. SECTION 1.9. NO SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES. Until thereafter surrendered for transfer or exchange, each outstanding stock certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, evidenced the Company Common Stock or the Company Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed and treated for all corporate purposes to evidence the ownership of the number of shares of the Holdings Common Stock or the Holdings Series A Preferred Stock, as applicable, into which such shares of the Company Common Stock or the Company Series A Preferred Stock were converted pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.8 herein, unless otherwise determined by the board of directors of Holdings. ARTICLE II ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE MERGER SECTION 2.1. COMPANY INDEBTEDNESS. As of the Effective Time, with respect to the Indenture dated as of December 19, 2001, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated May 1, 2002, and the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated September 30, 2002 (the "INDENTURE"), among the Company, ColorTyme, Inc., a Texas corporation, Advantage Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Get It Now, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with ColorTyme, Inc. and Advantage Companies, Inc., the "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS") and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (the "TRUSTEE") providing for the issuance of the Company's 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008, Series D, Holdings, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee shall execute, acknowledge and deliver a supplemental indenture pursuant to which Holdings shall guarantee the Company's obligations under the Indenture, to the extent such may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Company and Holdings. SECTION 2.2. ASSUMPTION OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Holdings and the Company shall, as of the Effective Time, execute, acknowledge and deliver the Assumption Agreement pursuant to which Holdings will, from and after the Effective Time, assume and agree to perform 5

all obligations of the Company pursuant to the Amended and Restated Rent-A-Center, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP") and certain other option agreements relating to ColorTyme, Inc., a Texas corporation (together with the LTIP, the "EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS") and other employee benefit plans as agreed to by the officers of Holdings and the Company. As of the Effective Time, each option to purchase a share of the Company Common Stock which has been granted and is then outstanding and unexercised under the Equity Compensation Plans (an "EXISTING STOCK OPTION") shall be automatically converted into an option to purchase one share of the Holdings Common Stock at the same exercise price, for the same period and subject to substantially the same terms and conditions applicable to the relevant Existing Stock Option (each a "SUBSTITUTE OPTION" and collectively, the "SUBSTITUTE OPTIONS"). SECTION 2.3. RESERVATION OF SHARES. On or prior to the Effective Time, Holdings will reserve sufficient authorized but unissued shares of the Holdings Common Stock to provide for the issuance of the Holdings Common Stock upon (a) the exercise of the Substitute Options or in satisfaction of other benefits payable and outstanding under the Company's Equity Compensation Plans; and/or (b) the conversion of the Holdings Series A Preferred Stock. ARTICLE III CONDITIONS OF MERGER SECTION 3.1. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. The obligations of the parties to this Agreement to consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to fulfillment or waiver by the parties hereto of each of the following conditions: (a) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall have notified the NASDAQ National Market ("NASDAQ") of the Merger and the effects thereof and shall have received confirmation, satisfactory to the parties hereto, that no further action shall be required in connection with the quotation of the Holdings Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger on NASDAQ. (b) Prior to the Effective Time, no order, statute, rule, regulation, executive order, injunction, stay, decree, judgment or restraining order shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any court or governmental or regulatory authority or instrumentality which prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the Merger or the transactions contemplated hereby. (c) Prior to the Effective Time, Holdings, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, shall have approved and adopted this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. (d) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall have received the approval of the holders of the Company Series A Preferred Stock to consummate the Merger. 6

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS SECTION 4.1. HOLDINGS CHARTER AND BYLAWS. Holdings shall take or cause to be taken all actions necessary or desirable to ensure that, as of the Effective Time, the Holdings Charter and the Holdings Bylaws contain provisions identical to the Company Charter and the Company Bylaws, respectively, immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than as required or permitted by Section 251(g) of the DGCL). SECTION 4.2. DIRECTORS OF HOLDINGS. Holdings shall take or cause to be taken all actions necessary or desirable to ensure that, as of the Effective Time, each person who is a member of the board of directors of the Company immediately prior to the Merger becomes or remains a director of Holdings (and are the only directors of Holdings), each of whom shall serve in accordance with the Holdings Charter and the Holdings Bylaws. SECTION 4.3. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The Company and Holdings shall take or cause to be taken all actions necessary or desirable in order for Holdings to assume the Equity Compensation Plans and to assume (or become a participating employer in) each other existing employee benefit plan, trust and agreement of the Company, with or without amendments, or to adopt comparable plans, all to the extent such may be deemed necessary or advisable by the Company and Holdings and permitted under applicable law. ARTICLE V TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT SECTION 5.1. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by action of the board of directors of the Company, or a duly authorized committee thereof, Holdings or Merger Sub if it is determined that for any reason the completion of the transactions provided for herein would be inadvisable or not in the best interest of such corporation or its stockholders. In the event of such termination and abandonment, this Agreement shall become void and none of the Company, Holdings or Merger Sub nor their respective stockholders, directors or officers shall have any liability with respect to such termination and abandonment. SECTION 5.2. AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may be supplemented, amended or modified by the mutual consent of the parties to this Agreement; provided, however, that, any amendment effected subsequent to stockholder approval shall be subject to the restrictions contained in the DGCL. No amendment of any provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by all of the parties hereto. ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS SECTION 6.1. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws. 7

SECTION 6.2. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement. SECTION 6.3. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, including the documents and instruments referred to herein, constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof. [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] 8

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, Holdings and Merger Sub have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized. RENT-A-CENTER, INC. By: /s/ Mark E. Speese ------------------------------------- Mark E. Speese Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer RENT-A-CENTER HOLDINGS, INC. By: /s/ Mark E. Speese ------------------------------------- Mark E. Speese Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer RAC MERGER SUB, INC. By: /s/ Mark E. Speese ------------------------------------- Mark E. Speese President I, David M. Glasgow, the Secretary of the Company, do hereby certify that (i) all of the holders of the Company Series A Preferred Stock adopted the Agreement by written consent dated December 23, 2002; and (ii) the Agreement has been adopted by the board of directors of the Company, pursuant to Subsection 251(g) of the DGCL ("SUBSECTION 251(g)") and that the conditions specified in the first sentence of Subsection 251(g) have been satisfied. /s/ David M. Glasgow ---------------------------------------- David M. Glasgow Rent-A-Center Inc., Secretary 9

EXHIBIT 4.2 RENT-A-CENTER, INC., as Issuer, RENT-A-CENTER HOLDINGS, INC., as Guarantor, the SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS named herein, as Guarantors, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK as Trustee THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE Dated as of December 31, 2002 to INDENTURE Dated as of December 19, 2001 between RENT-A-CENTER, INC., as Issuer, the SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS named therein, as Guarantors, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee $275,000,000 SERIES D 11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008

This THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of December 31, 2002, is entered into by and among Rent-A-Center, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), Rent-A-Center Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("RAC HOLDINGS"), ColorTyme, Inc., a Texas corporation ("COLORTYME"), Rent-A-Center West, Inc., a Delaware corporation, formerly known as Advantage Companies, Inc. ("RAC WEST"), Get It Now, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("GET IT NOW"), Rent-A-Center Texas, L.P., a Texas limited partnership ("RAC TEXAS, LP"), Rent-A-Center Texas, L.L.C., a Nevada limited liability company ("RAC TEXAS, LLC"), and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (the "TRUSTEE"). WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of December 19, 2001, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated May 1, 2002, between the Company, ColorTyme, RAC West and the Trustee, and the Second Supplemental Indenture, dated September 30, 2002, between the Company, ColorTyme, RAC West, Get It Now and the Trustee (the "INDENTURE") providing for the issuance of its 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008, Series D (the "NOTES"); and WHEREAS, the Company has formed RAC Holdings as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; and WHEREAS, RAC Holdings has formed RAC Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("SUB RAC"), as a wholly-owned subsidiary of RAC Holdings; and WHEREAS, the Company intends to merge Sub RAC with and into the Company effective as of December 31, 2002 (the "MERGER"), whereupon the Company will continue as the surviving corporation following the Merger; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 801 of the Indenture, the Merger is permitted under the Indenture; and WHEREAS, upon the effective time of the Merger, the Company's name will be changed to Rent-A-Center East, Inc. ("RAC EAST") and immediately thereafter, RAC Holdings will change its name to Rent-A-Center, Inc.; and WHEREAS, RAC Holdings will be deemed a successor issuer to the Company under Rule 12g-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and will therefore assume the Company's filing obligations under Section 1019 of the Indenture (the "ASSUMPTION OF FILING OBLIGATIONS"); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 901(ix) of the Indenture, the Trustee is permitted to amend the Indenture to allow for the Assumption of Filing Obligations; and WHEREAS, RAC Holdings will Guarantee the Notes under the Indenture (the "GUARANTEE") and has been designated as a Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Company under the Indenture; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 901(iii) of the Indenture, the Trustee is permitted to amend the Indenture to allow for the Guarantee; and -2-

WHEREAS, ColorTyme, RAC West and Get It Now are currently Subsidiary Guarantors under such Indenture; and WHEREAS, the Company has formed RAC Texas, LLC as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; and WHEREAS, the Company has formed RAC Texas, LP as an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, the sole limited partner of which is RAC Texas, LLC and the sole general partner of which is the Company; and WHEREAS, in connection with the formation of each of RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC, certain assets held by the Company will be transferred to RAC Texas, LP (the "TEXAS TRANSFER"); and WHEREAS, in connection with the formation of each of RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC and the resulting Texas Transfer, the Company has designated each of RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC as a Restricted Subsidiary under the Indenture; and WHEREAS, certain assets held by the Company will also be transferred to RAC West (together with the Texas Transfer, the "TRANSFERS"); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 1009, 1012 and 1017 of the Indenture, the Transfers are permitted under the Indenture; and WHEREAS, in partial consideration for the Texas Transfer, each of RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC has agreed to become a Subsidiary Guarantor by guaranteeing the obligations of the Company under the Indenture in accordance with the terms thereof; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 1020 of the Indenture, the addition of each of RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC as a Subsidiary Guarantor is required under the Indenture; and WHEREAS, in order to properly reflect the names of the parties to the Indenture, the definition of "Company" in Section 101 of the Indenture shall refer to RAC East (the "CONFORMING DEFINITION"); and WHEREAS, in order to properly reflect the names of the parties to the Indenture, the reference to Advantage Companies, Inc. in the definition of "Subsidiary Guarantor" in Section 101 of the Indenture shall refer to RAC West (together with the Conforming Definition, the "CONFORMING DEFINITIONS"); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 901(ix) of the Indenture, the Trustee is permitted to amend the Indenture to allow for the Conforming Definitions; and WHEREAS, RAC East will establish a grantor trust (the "LITIGATION TRUST") in order to provide better management of ongoing, ordinary course litigation claims against the Company and its subsidiaries and to realize certain tax efficiencies; and -3-

WHEREAS, RAC East will fund the Litigation Trust with treasury stock of RAC Holdings held by the Company or previously unissued shares of Holdings to be used in payment of finalized claims; and WHEREAS, RAC East may contribute additional assets or cash to the Litigation Trust from time to time for payment of such claims; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 901(ix) of the Indenture, the Trustee is permitted to amend the Indenture to allow for the formation, funding and operation of the Litigation Trust; and WHEREAS, each of the Company, RAC Holdings, ColorTyme, RAC West, Get It Now, RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC has been duly authorized to enter into, execute and deliver this Third Supplemental Indenture. NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company, RAC Holdings, ColorTyme, RAC West, Get It Now, RAC Texas, LP, RAC Texas, LLC and the Trustee agree as follows: SECTION 1. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meaning provided in the Indenture. SECTION 2. The Trustee hereby consents to the Assumption of Filing Obligations by Holdings, the related amendment to Section 1019 of the Indenture to provide for Holdings to satisfy the filing obligations, the Guarantee by Holdings, the Conforming Definitions and the formation, funding and operation of the Litigation Trust as described herein. SECTION 3. The Trustee hereby consents to the Transfers and to the addition of each of RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC as additional Subsidiary Guarantors under the Indenture. Simultaneously with the Transfers (the "EFFECTIVE TIME"), each of RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC shall become, and each of ColorTyme, RAC West and Get It Now shall continue to be, a "Subsidiary Guarantor" under and as defined in the Indenture, and at the Effective Time, each of RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC shall assume all the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes and the Indenture as described in the Indenture. Each of RAC Holdings, RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees the full and prompt payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all other obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under the Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Notes and the Indenture. SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented by this Third Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture and the Notes issued thereunder are in all respects ratified and confirmed and all of the rights, remedies, terms, conditions, covenants and agreements of the Indenture and Notes issued thereunder shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 5. This Third Supplemental Indenture is executed and shall constitute an indenture supplemental to the Indenture and shall be construed in connection with and as part of the -4-

Indenture. This Third Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction that governs the Indenture and its construction. SECTION 6. This Third Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original for all purposes; but such counterparts shall together be deemed to constitute but one and the same instrument. SECTION 7. Any and all notices, requests, certificates and other instruments executed and delivered after the execution and delivery of this Third Supplemental Indenture may refer to the Indenture without making specific reference to this Third Supplemental Indenture, but nevertheless all such references shall include this Third Supplemental Indenture unless the context otherwise requires. SECTION 8. This Third Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to have become effective upon the date first above written. SECTION 9. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Third Supplemental Indenture and the Indenture, this Third Supplemental Indenture shall control. SECTION 10. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Third Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company, RAC Holdings, ColorTyme, RAC West, Get It Now, RAC Texas, LP and RAC Texas, LLC. -5-

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Third Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written. THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee By: /s/ Van K. Brown ----------------------------------------- Name: Van K. Brown --------------------------------------- Title: Vice President -------------------------------------- RENT-A-CENTER, INC. By: /s/ Mark E. Speese --------------------------------------- Mark E. Speese Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer RENT-A-CENTER HOLDINGS, INC. By: /s/ Mark E. Speese --------------------------------------- Mark E. Speese Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer COLORTYME, INC. By: /s/ Mark E. Speese --------------------------------------- Mark E. Speese Vice President RENT-A-CENTER WEST, INC. By: /s/ Mark E. Speese --------------------------------------- Mark E. Speese President -6-

GET IT NOW, L.L.C. By: /s/ Mark E. Speese --------------------------------------- Mark E. Speese President RENT-A-CENTER TEXAS, L.P. By: Rent-A-Center, Inc., its general partner By: /s/ Mark E. Speese ----------------------------------- Mark E. Speese Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer RENT-A-CENTER TEXAS, L.L.C. By: /s/ James Ashworth --------------------------------------- James Ashworth President -7-