Discover currently operates six corporate stores located in Alabama, Florida and Utah, and plans to bring its "big box" concept to the RTO franchise marketplace.

L-R; Jim Steger Vice President of Franchising, Discover Rental Purchase; Discover CEO Doug McDougal.

In preparation for the launch of franchise operations, Discover Rental Purchase has named Jim Steger Vice President of Franchising, a new position for the company.

Steger was most recently Vice President of Franchising, Brand Consistency and New Business Development for Primrose Schools.

Prior to Primrose, Steger, 47, spent five years with Aaron's during the late 1990's and was responsible for awarding the two largest multi-unit franchise deals seen in the company to that date.

Discover currently operates six corporate stores located in Alabama, Florida and Utah, and plans to bring its "big box" concept to the RTO franchise marketplace, with the company's Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC) scheduled for completion by October.

Steger left Aaron's in 2001 to pursue the opportunity with Primrose Schools where he assisted in growing the Primrose brand from approximately 100 to over 250 franchises while expanding the brand presence into 15 states.

Steger says he is excited to be back in the rental purchase industry.

"I've thought about this for many years. What attracted me to Discover was the people and the business model and the methodology and collaborative approach they want to take with their franchisees. I've not only sold franchises, but I've been a franchisee. Our CEO Doug McDougal has been a franchisee. We understand how important the franchisee-franchisor relationship is," said Steger.

According to McDougal, "Our relationship with Jim dates back many years to the 1990's, when he sold me an Aaron's franchise. Jim's expertise and experience will be invaluable as we launch our national franchise program."

Steger says one of the programs he plans to implement is an innovation process to capture best practices within the company and then roll them out to the rest of the franchise community.

"Look at McDonald's," said Steger. "There is a company that works with its franchisees in a very collaborative manner. It was a franchisee who created the Egg McMuffin. Imagine if McDonald's had passed that idea up just because it came from a franchisee."

Earlier in his career, Steger was responsible for developing and implementing a national franchise development program for L.A. Weight Loss Centers, Inc.

Steger expects to receive his designation as a Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association sometime next year.