================================================================================ 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 4, 2001 ----------------- RENT-A-CENTER, 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) NO CHANGE (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) ================================================================================

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS In its press release, dated December 4, 2001, the Registrant announced that it proposes to make a private offering to qualified institutional buyers of $100 million in principal amount of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008. The securities proposed to be offered will not be and have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The Registrant intends to use the proceeds of the offering to repay approximately $30 million in term loans, repurchase approximately $34.7 million of its common stock from its former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and for general corporate purposes. 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 December 4, 2001. -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: December 4, 2001 BY: /s/ MITCHELL E. FADEL -------------------------------------- Mitchell E. Fadel President -3-

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION - ------- ----------- 99.1 Press release, dated December 4, 2001.

For Immediate Release: RENT-A-CENTER, INC. TO OFFER $100 MILLION IN 11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES ------------ PLANO, TEXAS, DECEMBER 4, 2001 - Rent-A-Center, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCII) today announced that it proposes to make a private offering to qualified institutional buyers of $100 million in principal amount of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008. The securities proposed to be offered will not be and have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. Rent-A-Center intends to use the proceeds of the offering to repay approximately $30 million in term loans, repurchase approximately $34.7 million of its common stock from its former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and for general corporate purposes.