About Check Into Cash Chairman and Founder W. Allan Jones
For current News Articles about Allan, visit: http://www.wallanjones.com
Allan Jones is a widely recognized entrepreneur who began working very hard at a young age. Driven by success, Mr. Jones is committed to his family, his hometown, and his home state. He serves on a number of community boards and in several capacities with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and at Chattanooga. Mr. Jones was awarded the M.C. Headrick Free Enterprise Award by the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. He was also inducted to the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2003.
Mr. Jones began his successful career while still a 20-year-old student at Middle Tennessee State University. Jones worked six-day work weeks and very long hours to learn and grow the business founded by his father, W.A. (Bill) Jones. Jones dedicated the next 25 years to improving and expanding the family business. Ultimately, Credit Bureau Services of Cleveland grew to include nearly a dozen offices, spanning from Atlanta to Memphis. Mr. Jones sold the company in 1998. At the time of sale, Credit Bureau Services of Cleveland was the largest credit collection agency in the state of Tennessee.
In 1993, Mr. Jones began Check Into Cash, a payday loan establishment. The terms were simple: Loans were made for up to two weeks for up to $200, for a fee ranging from $15 to $18. The business proved both popular with customers and Check Into Cash began expanding their payday advance centers into other states. By late 2002, Check Into Cash had grown to include more than 700 individual stores. By 2006, Check Into Cash had expanded to more than 1250 payday advance stores located in 31 states. Not only is Check Into Cash a successful business venture, it consistently leads the way in setting industry standards and best practices. Today, Check Into Cash is a billion-dollar-a- year enterprise and is the third largest payday lending company in the nation.
In addition to serving as Chairman and CEO of Check Into Cash, Inc., Mr. Jones is also chairman of Jones Management Services, which provides management and administrative services to many different businesses. Another Jones venture, Jones Properties, LLC, holds numerous historical buildings in downtown Cleveland in its portfolio. Mr. Jones was instrumental in helping restore the city's downtown business district, including relining city streets with trees for aesthetic appeal and environmental stewardship.
An avid collegiate wrestling enthusiast, Mr. Jones founded and financed the first Cleveland-Bradley Kids Wrestling Club. In 2001, he built the Jones Wrestling Center on the campus of his alma mater, Cleveland High School. The arena is named after his father, the late Bill Jones. His philanthropy includes giving to UTK athletics, local, state and national high school and college wrestling programs, environmental projects and causes and institutions in his home town of Cleveland. (See Foundation Projects on this site)
In his hometown, Jones is well known for his work in historical preservation, his passion for the sport of wrestling, and his love and appreciation for trees. Thanks to his generosity, the City of Cleveland is now an official Tree City USA. A City Tree Board Ordinance, which he helped create, oversees its tree-lined streets. A full-time Urban Forester is now on the city staff.
For the past ten years, downtown preservation has been an important priority for the City of Cleveland. Mr. Jones has been instrumental in helping the city achieve its preservation goals. In 2005, when the Bradley County Courthouse was getting a much-needed pedestrian friendly “facelift,” Jones stepped in to help. He reconstructed the historical Courthouse Bandstand, which had stood on the grounds from 1920 to 1963. The replica of the original bandstand now serves as a focal point downtown and is the venue for numerous special events.
Mr. Jones continues to foster his entrepreneurial spirit with several other ventures. He owns two restaurants, each unique and diverse in their cuisine. In 2004, he purchased The Spot, a downtown Cleveland, Tennessee icon since 1937. Under his guidance, the tradition of burgers, chili and frosties was restored.
Desiring to bring a western dining experience to the heart of the south, Mr. Jones created the Bald Headed Bistro. Featuring menu items like Snake River Chicken and Polynesian Bistro Steak, the restaurant is both elegant and unique. The Bald Headed Bistro is located in the Village Green Town Center, another Jones venture.
The Village Green Town Center was purchased by Mr. Jones in 1998. Jones refurbished the 1960’s shopping center into a high-tech business plaza. The National Headquarters for Check Into Cash, Inc. is also located within this beautiful complex.
Mr. Jones continues to enjoy his many business ventures. He remains dedicated to his family and continues to serve his community.
Other W. Allan Jones businesses or properties:
Bald Headed Bistro
Spot Restaurant
Village Green Town Center
