Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 101,664	$ 135,166	$ 115,244
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expenses	75,428	54,149	43,923
Amortization of debt discount	3,811	3,566	3,340
Consumer loan loss provision	316,294	225,688	182,394
Stock-based compensation	4,804	4,934	3,815
Deferred income taxes, net	(3,521)	25,563	8,842
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(2,638)	(1,040)	(2,250)
Other	8,601	2,884	718
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired
Merchandise held for disposition	10,229	(7,150)	(1,869)
Pawn loan fees and service charges receivable	1,312	(5,707)	(2,120)
Finance and service charges on consumer loans	(8,218)	(9,426)	(3,590)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(284)	2,337	4,146
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	14,038	9,916	11,569
Current income taxes	(3,886)	12,310	(5,415)
Other operating assets and liabilities	647	814	413
Net cash provided by operating activities	518,281	454,004	359,160
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Pawn loans made	(760,925)	(779,668)	(644,683)
Pawn loans repaid	426,583	408,105	340,267
Principal recovered through dispositions of forfeited pawn loans	336,791	316,651	291,163
Consumer loans made or purchased	(1,912,962)	(1,621,836)	(1,591,467)
Consumer loans repaid	1,537,930	1,324,807	1,374,445
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(78,217)	(49,539)	(82,263)
Purchases of property and equipment	(79,399)	(75,049)	(59,697)
Proceeds From Sales Of Assets	5,471	0	0
Investment in equity securities	(1,000)	(5,000)	(5,652)
Other investing activities	(926)	(515)	822
Net cash used in investing activities	(526,654)	(482,044)	(377,065)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net borrowings (repayments) under bank lines of credit	20,172	65,814	25,362
Issuance of long-term debt	52,000	50,000	25,000
Net proceeds from re-issuance of treasury shares	1,784	403	2,013
Loan costs paid	(440)	(2,902)	(293)
Payments on notes payable and other obligations	(34,272)	(38,113)	(25,493)
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,638	1,040	2,250
Treasury shares purchased	(25,133)	(20,488)	(14,482)
Dividends paid	(4,096)	(4,111)	(4,135)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(5,625)	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	7,028	51,643	10,222
Effect of exchange rates on cash	1,937	615	3
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	592	24,218	(7,680)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	62,542	38,324	46,004
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 63,134	$ 62,542	$ 38,324