Zagar began his RTO career as an account manager for Rainbow in Pittsburg, Pa.

Photo Premier

Mike Zagar, Premier franchisee

Former Rainbow Rentals and Rent-A-Center market manager Mike Zagar opened his Premier Rental-Purchase store in Jacksonville, Florida last month. Armed with 14 years, Zagar feels at home in in the rent-to-own industry.

Zagar began his RTO career as an account manager for Rainbow in Pittsburg, Pa. He advanced to become assistant manager a year later. He eventually managed two stores in Detroit before helping open Rainbow's eastern Pennsylvania market. In 2000 Zagar was promoted to regional manager.

Discovering His Niche

Zagar's niche is training and developing managers. Rainbow's policy was to promote from within, so he found himself preparing those he worked with for their next step. Managers that he promoted and supervised ended up running top stores. "My goal was always to teach an individual how to perform well and take their store to the top."

Zagar found it more rewarding to help others win store awards. "I was not one to win store awards myself but rather help people find their next opportunity and enable them to become high performers."

When Rent-A-Center acquired Rainbow, Zagar relocated to Jacksonville, FL as a market manager.

Thinking About the Next Step

During his time in Pennsylvania Zagar became friends with Dave Jones, Rich Bagoly, Brian Ferrari and Sandi Frye - former colleagues who were opening their own stores as Premier Rental-Purchase franchisees. Their success in opening their store – and in Jones and Bagoly's case several stores – prompted Zagar to think about going into business himself. Over the next several years, he researched a number of franchise organizations and decided it was time to become an owner-operator.

"I had heard a lot of good things about Premier," Zagar said. "I liked the independence they give their dealers. They don't lock anyone into a certain set of procedures or demand that they run their business in a particular way. Each dealer has his own style."

At the same time, Zagar liked Premier's support services like human resources and marketing. "Premier's Human Resources handles payroll for me. That takes a lot off my plate. I submit the hours and they do everything else."

Premier's dealer-run board provides franchisees with advertising and marketing materials. "I leave the creativity to them and am using their quarterly marketing campaign rather than having to think one up on my own."

Zagar is quick to comment on Premier's help getting financing for his new store. Premier founder and CEO Trooper Earle assists new franchisees by helping prepare a business plan and working directly with banks."The loan process was straightforward and pain-free. Premier had resources for insurance, accounting and a long list of preferred vendors...as I structured my business and stocked my showroom floor." As a result, Zagar says he was able to focus on opening, renting and collecting.

Zagar credits Rainbow with giving him solid training and years of experience in taking care of his customers - the keys to his success. He also points to Rainbow as instilling in him an entrepreneurial spirit that is a common trait among Premier dealers.

Trooper Earle commented, "Premier dealers like Mike are where they are today because they had the courage to follow their dream. They represent the thoughts and feelings of many rental-purchase managers who want to take the leap and become independent." Earle says that one of the reasons Premier is thriving is the companies support that entrepreneurial spirit. "We have an extensive support system in place that enables new dealers to feel secure in their decision to own a Premier business."

Earle concluded, "Mike brings a wealth of ingenuity and skill to his new business. There is no greater thrill than to see someone claim their entrepreneurial potential. It is a pleasure to welcome Mike to the Premier family."

The national office of Premier Rental Purchase is located in Williamsburg, VA. All Premier stores are independently owned and operated. Visit Premier's website at www.premierrents.net or call (800) 2Premier and ask for Trooper Earle.