SEI/Aaron's, Inc.

SEI/Aaron’s was founded on April 1, 1995 by Charles Smithgall, currently Chairman and CEO, and was awarded an Aaron’s Sales and Lease Ownership franchise by Aaron Rents, Inc., a 55-year-old New York Stock Exchange company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

SEI/Aaron’s opened their first Aaron’s store on November 29, 1995 and subsequently developed eight stores in the Kentucky/Indiana area before expanding to New England in 1999.  SEI/Aaron’s has continued to open stores in the New England states as well as acquiring stores from other Aaron’s franchisees and Aaron Rents, Inc., and currently operates 54 stores in seven states.  SEI/Aaron’s is the largest Aaron’s franchise company.

Dave Edwards, President and COO of SEI/Aaron’s, joined the company in 2000 when SEI/Aaron’s acquired his franchise company.  SEI/Aaron’s was voted the top franchise company in the Aaron’s franchise system in 1997 and was runner-up for the honor in 1999.  In both 2001 and 2002 SEI/Aaron’s was selected by Inc Magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing companies in America.

For history of Aaron Rents, Inc. history, click here.