Becoming a Certified Franchise Executive was a goal I thought would benefit the entire ColorTyme system as well as myself.
Bob Bloom, President and CEO, ColorTyme

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Feb. 16, 2011 — Bob Bloom, president and CEO of national rent-to-own franchisor ColorTyme, was recognized today as a Certified Franchise Executive by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives. Bloom completed a comprehensive course of study in franchise management offered by the institute, which is the academic branch of the International Franchise Association's Educational Foundation. The International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide and will honor this year's designees during its annual convention in Las Vegas.

"When I joined IFA as President and CEO, I was immediately impressed by the number of highly-respected franchise executives who have earned their CFE designation," said IFA's chief executive Stephen J. Caldeira. "I was also equally impressed by the increasing number of franchise executives who have enrolled in the program. In fact, the value of the program was so apparent and powerful to me that I decided to earn my CFE as well. I'm delighted to be a member of the CFE Class of 2011."

Bloom joined ColorTyme as president and CEO in June of 2004. Having more than 30 years of experience in franchisee relations and operations, Bloom continued ColorTyme's reputation of being the oldest and most trusted rent-to-own franchise brand.

"Becoming a Certified Franchise Executive was a goal I thought would benefit the entire ColorTyme system as well as myself," said Bloom. "With this designation, I join Jim Deering, our director of franchise development, as ColorTyme's second CFE. I believe this will instill further confidence with our current franchisees and prospective owners because it shows ColorTyme's ongoing commitment to service and expertise in the franchise industry."

Nearly 1,300 franchise executives are currently enrolled or have received certification. More than 300 IFA-member companies currently have one or more executives enrolled in the program that provides benefits such as specialized knowledge, industry recognition, peer-level networking and professional standing.

Candidates are required to complete a rigorous course of study to earn the CFE designation, which includes attending institute-sponsored educational seminars and workshops. The program enhances franchising professionals' understanding of both the industry's fundamental and complex aspects.

About ColorTyme
ColorTyme, Inc., founded in 1979, is America's oldest franchisor of independently owned-and-operated rent-to-own stores. ColorTyme franchisees operate 190 rent-to-own stores in 33 states, and the company's custom-wheels-and-tires franchise brand, RimTyme, operates 20 stores in 11 states. ColorTyme is headquartered in Plano, Texas, and is an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of the largest RTO company in the world, Rent-A-Center (NASDAQ: RCII).