Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Three Major Rental Car Franchises Mark Milestone Anniversaries at Convention

NextCar, Priceless, and Rent-A-Wreck managers and staff learned about leading industry topics and participated in deep financial reviews.

Three Major Rental Car Franchises Mark Milestone Anniversaries at Convention

The convention drew the largest group of franchise owners and managers in recent memory, along with a host of experts and suppliers from across the industry.

Photo: NP Auto Group

2 min to read


NextCar, Priceless, and Rent-A-Wreck franchises, managers, sponsors, and home office staff convened in Las Vegas the week of Oct. 16 for their annual convention, with each brand celebrating milestone anniversaries: 50 years for Rent-A-Wreck, 25 years for Priceless, and 20 years for NextCar.  

The convention drew the largest group of franchise owners and managers in recent memory, along with a host of experts and suppliers from across the industry.

Ad Loading...

The event included a mix of business and fun, with informational presentations and roundtables during the day, and cocktail parties, dinners, and entertainment with prizes in between.

“We welcome franchises we’ve known for years, along with many new faces,” said Michael DeLorenzo, president of NP Auto Group, in a news release. “When we come together as a group we try to foster an open environment and atmosphere. It’s a very special time when we can accomplish a lot, learn from one another, and lay our plans for future success.”

A convention highlight was the largest Profit Group meeting ever conducted by the company, with over 50 franchise owners participating in a deep dive into the financials of their businesses using a composite P&L and discussing pathways to greater profits.

Leading topics included presentations about the companies’ new app-based software, ASAP, along with forecasts and advice for fleeting for 2024, the challenge of improving customer service and reviews, and planning for electrification.

Rent-A-Wreck was founded in 1968 and began franchising in 1973. NP Franchise Group is the franchisor of both Priceless, founded in 1998, and NextCar, founded in 2003.  Both Rent-A-Wreck and NP Franchise Group are owned by Fitzgerald Auto, one of the largest employee-owned dealership groups in the U.S.

Ad Loading...

NP Auto Group and Rent-A-Wreck provide high-quality used cars and car rental services to their customers. The companies have their annual convention for franchisees every year since 1973 with few exceptions, such as after 9/11 and during COVID.


More Rental Operations

map of globe with regional corporate car rental rates
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 25, 2026

U.S. Business Travel Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise Up to 2%

Improved fleet supply should limit pricing gains in 2026-27, while insurance, repair costs, and softer residual values continue to pressure rental operations, according to Amex GBT.

Read More →
Sixt H1 financial results
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 14, 2026

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026

Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.

Read More →
Bobby Klyce in memoriam image
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 13, 2026

In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend

The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Vibe coding webinar promo image
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 12, 2026

How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]

A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.

Read More →
Globe image with Text: GBTA Business Travel Forecast

Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027

Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.

Read More →
Car rental sign with financial graph in background
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 2, 2026

Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations

Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
car rental booking engine on computer screen with text: Bookings aren't the whole story
Rental OperationsAugust 1, 2026

Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day

A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.

Read More →
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownJuly 31, 2026

This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See

This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.

Read More →
A counter agent chats with a customer over a rental counter
Rental OperationsJuly 21, 2026

The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns

Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
U-Save Mauritius team

U-Save Expands Indian Ocean Presence with New Master Franchise for Mauritius

The franchise has been acquired by Mauritian travel entrepreneur Umarfarooq Omarjee, an established figure in the island's tourism and mobility sector.

Read More →
Ad Loading...