Multi-Unit Franchisee Magazine Issue IV, 2013 | Page 50

D OM I N A T O R S
Smithgall, who calls himself the company’s “cheerleader,” is still active and on
the road regularly. When we spoke, he
had just finished a three-and-a-half day
trip that saw him travel more than 1,500
miles, visiting 32 of his stores across 5
states. He leaves his home base in Atlanta
to visit his stores throughout New England every week.
SEI/Aaron’s has grown over the past
five years through a combination of acquiring existing franchisee stores, company-

operated locations, building new stores,
and converting independent stores into
the Aaron’s brand. “I’ll do whatever deal
makes sense,” he says.
Asked if he had ever considered additional
brands, Smithgall quips, “I already know
this business model, why would I go and
have to learn another?” Seriously, he says,
Aaron’s is a ܙX]