Bud Gates, Easygates Chairman and Chief Executive, has signed two franchise deals for 16 Easyhome stores.
Gates was formerly Rent-A-Center and Thorn Americas Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive and established Easygates last year to develop corporate and franchise rent-to-own stores.
Canada-based Easyhome Ltd is the third-largest merchandise leasing company in the world. Gates has the rights to operate or franchise Easyhome stores in 36 states. He expects the first to open by the end of 2008.
