UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

EZCORP, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		0-19424		74-2540145
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1901 Capital Parkway, Austin, Texas 78746
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (512) 314-3400

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 8.01 — Other Events

On June 23, 2010, EZCORP, Inc. issued a press release announcing the completion of the acquisition of five pawn stores in the Chicago metropolitan area. A copy of that press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 — Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)		Exhibits.
99.1		Press Release, dated June 23, 2010

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
No.		Description of Exhibit
99.1		Press Release, dated June 23, 2010

Exhibit 99.1

EZCORP ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF PAWN STORES IN CHICAGO

AUSTIN, Texas (June 23, 2010) — EZCORP, Inc. (Nasdaq: EZPW) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of five pawn stores located in the Chicago metropolitan area. The stores were purchased for cash from Hometown Jewelry & Loan and Abby Jewelry & Loan.

“The acquisition of these stores gives us an immediate and substantial presence in the Chicago area,” said Eric Fosse, President of the company’s Pawn Americas division. “Chicago is the third largest metropolitan area in the U.S., and we have not had a presence there until now. We believe that Chicago presents very attractive opportunities for our pawn business, and we are excited about bringing our service-oriented business model to a whole new set of customers. With the acquisition of these well-established stores, we enter Chicago with a solid base for further expansion.”

Paul Rothamel, the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, stated: “Diversification — in terms of geographies, product and service offerings, and formats — is an important element of our strategic plan. We believe that entering new geographic areas, particularly one like Chicago that offers attractive growth opportunities, is an effective way for us to both grow and diversify our business.”

The company plans to operate the acquired stores under its “EZPAWN” brand.

About EZCORP

EZCORP is a leading pawn store operator and provider of specialty consumer financial services. It provides collateralized non-recourse loans, commonly known as pawn loans, and a variety of short-term consumer loans, including payday loans, installment loans and auto title loans, or fee-based credit services to customers seeking loans. At its pawn stores, the company also sells second-hand merchandise, primarily collateral forfeited from its pawn lending operations.

At March 31, 2010, EZCORP operated 450 pawn stores in the U.S. and Mexico and 482 short-term consumer loan stores in the U.S. and Canada. The company also has significant investments in Albemarle & Bond Holdings PLC (ABM.L), one of the U.K.’s largest pawnbroking businesses with over 120 stores, and Cash Converters International Limited (CCV.L and CCV.AUS), which franchises and operates a worldwide network of over 500 financial services and second-hand retail stores.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements regarding the company’s expected performance in future periods, including the anticipated impact of the newly acquired stores. These statements are based on the company’s current expectations. Actual results for future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to a number of uncertainties and other factors, including changing market conditions in the overall economy and the industry, consumer demand for the company’s services and merchandise and changes in the regulatory environment. For a discussion of these and other factors affecting the company’s business and prospects, see the company’s annual, quarterly and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For additional information, contact Investor Relations at (512) 314-2220.