================================================================================ UNITED STATES 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): MAY 1, 2003 ---------- RENT-A-CENTER, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

DELAWARE 0-25370 45-0491516 (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) NO CHANGE (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) ================================================================================

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REQUIRED FD DISCLOSURE. In a press release dated May 1, 2003, the Registrant announced that it had finalized the terms of its previously announced senior subordinated note offering. The Registrant disclosed it will issue $300 million in principal amount of senior subordinated notes due 2010 bearing interest at 7.5% per annum. The offer of the proposed senior subordinated notes will be made only by means of an offering memorandum to qualified investors and has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The Registrant anticipates consummation of the offering will occur on May 6, 2003 and intends to use the proceeds from the offering to repurchase its outstanding 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 and pay down a portion of term debt under its existing senior credit facility. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K. 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 99.1 Press release, dated May 1, 2003. -2-

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, INC. Date: May 2, 2003 By: /s/ MARK E. SPEESE ---------------------------------------------- Mark E. Speese Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT ----------- ---------------------- 99.1 Press Release, dated May 1, 2003

EXHIBIT 99.1 For Immediate Release: RENT-A-CENTER, INC. TO ISSUE $300 MILLION OF SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2010 AT 7.5% INTEREST --------------------------- PLANO, TEXAS, MAY 1, 2003 - Rent-A-Center, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq/NNM: RCII) today announced that it has finalized the terms of its previously announced senior subordinated note offering. The Company will issue $300 million in principal amount of senior subordinated notes due 2010 bearing interest at 7.5% per annum. The Company anticipates consummation of the offering will occur on May 6, 2003 and intends to use the proceeds from the offering to repurchase its outstanding 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 and pay down a portion of term debt under its existing senior credit facility. The offer of the proposed senior subordinated notes will be made only by means of an offering memorandum to qualified investors and has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. CONTACTS FOR RENT-A-CENTER, INC.: David E. Carpenter Robert D. Davis Director of Investor Relations Chief Financial Officer (972) 801-1214 (972) 801-1204 dcarpenter@racenter.com rdavis@racenter.com