<PAGE>   1
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549





[X]       ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
          SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                     For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998


                                       or
[ ]       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
          SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
          For the transition period from________________to__________________

                          Commission file number 0-8568

                                  BESTWAY, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               Delaware                                81-0332743
    -------------------------------                -------------------
    (State of other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

  7800 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 320                        75247
----------------------------------------            ------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code         (214) 630-6655
                                                   ----------------------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Name of each exchange on
             Title of each class                      which registered
                   (None)                                  (None)
             -------------------                  ------------------------
<S>                                              <C>

</TABLE>


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                          Common Stock, $.01 par value
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of Class)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  X  No
                                              ---     ---

         The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non affiliates of
the registrant as of October 23, 1998 was approximately $4,146,806.

         The number of shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding as of
July 31, 1998, was 1,751,592.

         Registrants Proxy Statement for 1998 is incorporated by reference in
Part III, Items 10-13 of this Form 10-K.



                                        1

<PAGE>   2

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           Page
                                                                                                                           ----
<S>                    <C>                                                                                                <C>
PART I
------
     Item 1.           Business                                                                                            3 - 4
     Item 2.           Properties                                                                                            5
     Item 3.           Legal Proceedings                                                                                     5
     Item 4.           Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                                                   5

PART II
-------
     Item 5.           Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related Security Holder Matters                            5 - 6
     Item 6.           Selected Financial Data                                                                               6
     Item 7.           Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations               6 - 12
     Item 8.           Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                                                          12
     Item 9.           Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure                 12

PART III
--------
     Item 10.          Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant                                                   12
     Item 11.          Executive Compensation                                                                               13
     Item 12.          Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management                                       13
     Item 13.          Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                                                       13

PART IV
-------
     Item 14.          Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                                                     13


SIGNATURES                                                                                                                  14


INDEX                  Consolidated Financial Statements                                                                    F-1
</TABLE>







                                        2

<PAGE>   3
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     PART I

ITEM 1.       BUSINESS

General

     Bestway, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries ("Bestway" or the
"Company") has been engaged in the rental-purchase industry since 1987. The
Company owns and operates a total of sixty-five stores located in the states of
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and
Tennessee. The stores' operations are controlled and monitored through the
Company's management information system networked with its home office in
Dallas, Texas.

     The Company's rental-purchase program offers brand name durable household
goods, electronics, appliances and jewelry to customers on a week-to-week or
month-to-month basis. These products are furnished to customers under
full-service rental agreements which require that the charge for each rental
period be paid in advance, but no additional advance payment or security deposit
is required. At the end of each rental period, the customer has the option of
retaining the product for an additional rental period or returning the product
without further obligation. If the product is returned, it is serviced and then
offered for rent to another customer. The rental agreements contain options
under which customers may own the merchandise under specified terms. The
Company's rental agreements typically have a twelve to twenty-four month term
with weekly or monthly payment options. The most distinguishing factor of this
form of retailing is the cancelability of the rental agreement at any time
without further obligation by returning the product to the dealer. The industry
primarily serves customers in the low to middle income sector who may have a
need for a product, but do not wish or are unable to purchase it for cash or on
credit.

Products

     The Company generally purchases products directly from the manufacturers
and local distributors. Products offered by the Company include a variety of
brands, styles and models of television sets, audio equipment, video cassette
recorders, washers and dryers, refrigerators and freezers, microwave ovens,
furniture and jewelry. Although the Company presently expects to continue
relationships with its existing suppliers, there are numerous sources of
products, and the Company does not believe its operations are dependent on any
one or more of its present suppliers.

Advertising

     The Company markets its products and services by selecting prominent store
locations in retail shopping areas on main traffic thoroughfares near targeted
customers' residences or job locations. Additionally, the Company solicits new
business by acquainting potential customers with the Company's products and
services through mailing lists and local media advertising programs. The Company
also has programs which reward existing customers with rental discounts or cash
payments for the referral of new customers.

Competition

     The rental-purchase industry is highly competitive. Competition is based
primarily on store location, product selection and availability, customer
service and rental rates and terms. Several of the Company's competitors are
national and regional and some have significantly greater financial and
operating resources and name recognition than the Company. In addition, the
Company faces competition from sources outside the rental-purchase industry,
such as department stores, discount stores and retail outlets. These competitors
may offer an installment sales program or may compete with the Company simply on
the basis of product and price. There is no assurance that the Company will be
able to compete successfully against these competitors. Because capital and
other requirements for entry into the rental-purchase industry is relatively
low, competition may arise from new sources not currently competing with the
Company. Increased competition could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's sales and profitability.



                                        3

<PAGE>   4

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Personnel

     At July 31, 1998, the Company employed approximately 271 full-time
employees, of which 13 are located at the corporate office in Dallas, Texas. The
Company has various incentive programs for all personnel. None of the Company's
employees are represented by a labor union. The Company considers its relations
with its employees to be satisfactory.

Company Stores

     The number of stores operated by the Company has increased from 63 as of
July 31, 1997 to 65 as of July 31, 1998. The following table shows the number of
stores opened, acquired and closed during the year.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Number of
                                                              Stores
                                                            ----------

<S>                                                         <C>
           Open at July 31, 1997                                    63
           Opened                                                    1
           Acquired                                                  2
           Closed                                                   -1
                                                            ----------

           Open at July 31, 1998                                    65
                                                            ==========
</TABLE>

Regulation

     Federal Regulation Although certain proposed federal regulations are under
consideration, no federal legislation has been enacted regulating
rental-purchase transactions. As of July 31, 1998, four bills have been
introduced in Congress that would regulate the rental-purchase industry. Two of
the bills are supported by the Association of Progressive Rental Organization
("APRO") and mandate certain disclosures to customers similar to those required
by most state legislation. The Company does not believe that these laws, if
enacted, will have a material adverse effect upon the Company's operations.

     The other two bills include certain credit sale requirements and would
subject rental-purchase transactions to interest rate, finance charge and fee
limitations, as well as the Federal Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit
Reporting Act. These bills would also require the lessor to make certain
disclosures to customers about the terms of the rental-purchase transaction. The
Company believes that in the event federal legislation is enacted regulating
rental-purchase transactions as credit sales, the Company would be able to adapt
to the new laws and remain profitable by repositioning itself as a rent-to-rent
business. However, there can be no assurance that the proposed legislation, if
enacted, would not have a material adverse effect on the business of the
Company.

     State Regulation With some variations in individual states, most state
legislation requires the lessor to make prescribed disclosures to a customer
about the rental-purchase agreement and transaction. These laws require certain
contractual and advertising disclosures concerning the rental-purchase agreement
and the nature of the transaction and also provide varying levels of substantive
consumer protection, such as requiring a grace period for late payments and
contract reinstatement rights in the event the agreement is terminated for
nonpayment of rentals and, in some instances, limits certain fees that may be
charged. Some states require written disclosure of all material aspects of the
transaction, including the cash price of the merchandise, the purchase option
prices during the term of the agreement and the total amount of rentals that
must be paid in order to acquire ownership of the merchandise and prohibit
confession-of-judgment clauses.



                                        4

<PAGE>   5
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

     All store locations, with the exception of one, and the home office
facility in Dallas, Texas are leased. Store facilities typically are showroom
locations of approximately 3,700 square feet in retail centers on heavy traffic
thoroughfares near customers' residences or work places. Almost all available
rental merchandise is kept in the showroom area which comprises the majority of
the available square footage. Store location is considered critical to the
success of the store.

     The Company's store locations by state at July 31, 1998, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Number of
           State                                            Stores
           -----                                           ---------

<S>                                                       <C>
           Alabama                                               17
           Arkansas                                               1
           Georgia                                                2
           Mississippi                                           17
           North Carolina                                         6
           South Carolina                                         6
           Tennessee                                             16
                                                            --------

           Open at July 31, 1998                                 65
                                                            ========
</TABLE>

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     There are no legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation
incidental to the Company's business to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or to which any of its property is subject.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.

                                     PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER 
         MATTERS

     The Company's Common Stock began trading on the Nasdaq Small-Cap Market on
December 19, 1995 under the symbol "BSTW". Prior thereto, the Company's Common
Stock was quoted in the "pink sheets" and was traded on a limited basis. The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales
price per share of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Small-Cap Market.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Year ended July 31, 1998            Year ended July 31, 1997
                                  ---------------------------------     ------------------------------

                                        High              Low               High              Low
                                        ----              ---               ----              ---

<S>                                  <C>                <C>               <C>               <C>
           First Quarter             $       9          $   6-1/2         $   9-1/2         $  6-1/2
           Second Quarter            $  10-1/4          $       7         $   9-1/4         $  6-1/2
           Third Quarter             $ 8-15/16          $       6         $   6-1/2         $      6
           Fourth Quarter            $   8-1/2          $   6-1/8         $   8-1/2         $      6
</TABLE>



                                        5


<PAGE>   6
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDERS 
         MATTERS, Continued

     At July 31, 1998, there were 473 stockholders of record of the Company's
Common Stock, calculated based on the number of recordholders.

     The Company has not paid cash dividends on its Common Stock since its
inception and intends to retain earnings for operations. The Company is a party
to a loan agreement which prohibits the payment of cash dividends on Common
Stock.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    Fiscal Year Ended July 31,
                                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        1998           1997           1996          1995          1994
                                                   -------------   ------------  -------------  ------------  ------------

<S>                                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>
   Revenues from continuing operations             $  25,875,934   $ 24,662,812   $ 18,923,852  $ 16,423,262  $ 16,369,149
   Income from continuing operations
      before tax                                       1,381,813        320,004        902,903     1,072,112       722,902
   Current income tax expense                            155,064         34,322         49,099       101,047        35,319
   Deferred income tax expense (benefit)                 433,012        119,622        321,574    (2,013,784)        --
   Loss from discontinued operations, net
      of taxes                                             --             --           394,568         --            --

   Net income                                            793,737        166,060        137,662     2,984,849       687,583
   Basic net income per share                               0.45           0.10           0.09          1.99          0.46
   Cash flows provided by operations                   9,478,714      9,895,993      7,365,631     6,542,227     6,370,945
   Total assets                                       18,673,950     18,373,967     18,925,440    13,709,895    11,083,279
   Notes payable                                       8,230,043      8,171,945      9,048,928     6,070,302     6,485,659
   Stockholders' equity                                8,396,362      7,594,500      7,417,190     6,041,293     3,060,154
</TABLE>

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

     The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with
the information set forth under Item 6, "Selected Financial Data," and the
financial statements of the Company and the accompanying notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Report.

     The Company currently operates 65 rental-purchase stores located in seven
states. The number of stores operated by the Company has increased from 35 as of
July 31, 1995 to 65 as of July 31, 1998. During the year ended July 31, 1998,
the Company opened one new store location, acquired two stores and closed one
store.



                                        6

<PAGE>   7
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS, Continued

Results of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 1998 Compared to 1997

     The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain items
from the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income, expressed as a percentage
of revenues.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Year ended July 31,
                                                                    -----------------------------------
                                                                       1998                     1997
                                                                    ----------                ---------

<S>                                                                 <C>                       <C>  
         Revenues:
            Rental income                                              99.0%                     98.9%
            Sales of merchandise                                        1.0                       1.1
                                                                      -----                     -----

                 Total revenues                                       100.0                     100.0

         Cost and operating expenses:
            Depreciation and amortization:
              Rental merchandise                                       21.8                      22.0
              Other                                                     5.9                       6.4
            Cost of merchandise sold                                    1.0                       1.1
            Salaries and wages                                         25.6                      25.8
            Advertising                                                 3.3                       3.2
            Occupancy                                                   6.1                       5.6
            Other operating expenses                                   27.8                      29.8
            Equity in loss of partnership                               --                        0.8

            Write-off of investment in partnership                      --                        0.9

            Interest expense                                            3.1                       3.1
            Loss on sale of property and equipment                      0.1                       --
                                                                      -----                     -----

                 Total cost and operating expenses                     94.7                      98.7
                                                                      -----                     -----

         Income before income tax provision                             5.3                       1.3
                                                                      -----                     -----

            Current income tax expense                                  0.6                       0.1
            Deferred income tax expense                                 1.7                       0.5
                                                                      -----                     -----

                 Net income                                             3.0%                      0.7%
                                                                      =====                     =====
</TABLE>



                                        7
<PAGE>   8
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS, Continued

     For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 compared to the fiscal year ended
July 31, 1997, total revenue increased $1,213,122, or 4.9% to $25,875,934 from
$24,662,812. The increase in total revenue was primarily attributable to the
inclusion of two stores purchased in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1998,
inclusion of a full year's operating results for two new internal store openings
during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1997 and operating results from a
single new internal store opening during the first quarter of fiscal year 1998.
Same store revenues increased by $626,069, or 2.6% to $25,007,842 for 1998 from
$24,381,773 in 1997. Same store revenues represent those revenues earned in
stores that were operated by the Company for the entire year ending July 31,
1998 and 1997. This improvement was primarily attributable to an increase in
both the number of items on rent and in revenue earned per item on rent.

     The Company receives rental revenue from various products including
televisions and video cassette recorders, household appliances, as well as home
furniture and jewelry. In fiscal year 1998, approximately 18% of the Company's
rental revenue was derived from appliances, 25% from home furniture, 29% from
electronics, 10% from various other products including jewelry and 18% from
various services and charges to rental customers including reinstatement fees,
club program and liability waiver fees.

     Total costs and operating expenses increased $151,313, or 0.6%. Costs and
operating expenses associated with the Company's core business increased
$574,873, but as a percentage of total store revenue, decreased from 97.0% in
1997 to 94.7% in 1998. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in
depreciation and amortization, salaries and wages and other operating costs
offset by increased occupancy and advertising costs.

     Depreciation of rental merchandise increased by $210,384, or 3.9% to
$5,643,299 for 1998 from $5,432,915 for 1997. Depreciation of rental merchandise
expressed as a percent of total store rental and fee revenue decreased from
22.0% in 1997 to 21.8% in 1998. The decrease was primarily attributable to
higher rental rates on rental merchandise.

     Salaries and wages increased $269,154, or 4.2% to $6,618,696 for 1998 from
$6,349,542 for 1997. Salaries and wages expressed as a percent of total store
revenue decreased from 25.8% in 1997 to 25.6% in 1998. New and acquired stores
produced additional salaries and wages of $173,826 for the year. Advertising
expense increased $67,315, or 8.4% to $867,515 for 1998 from $800,200 in 1997.
Advertising expense expressed as a percent of total store revenue increased to
3.3% in 1998 from 3.2% in 1997. Occupancy expense increased $177,059, or 12.7%
to $1,568,870 for 1998 from $1,391,811 for 1997. Occupancy expense expressed as
a percent of total store revenue increased to 6.1% in 1998 from 5.6% in 1997
primarily due to the increase in number of stores opened and the relocation of
certain existing stores to locations that are larger in square footage. Other
operating expenses decreased $159,479, or 2.2% to $7,181,563 for 1998 from
$7,341,042 for 1997. Other operating expenses expressed as a percent of total
store revenue decreased from 29.8% in 1997 to 27.8% in 1998 primarily due to
managements' streamlining efforts to focus on profit and growth in l998 which
resulted in increased same store revenues and lower operating costs as a
percentage of revenue, offset by increased write-offs of rental merchandise.
Interest expense increased $38,494, or 5.1% to $795,232 for 1998 from $756,738
for 1997 and as a percentage of total store revenue remained consistent with the
prior year at 3.1%.

     Costs and operating expenses decreased $423,560, or 1.6% as a percentage of
total store revenue due to losses incurred during 1997 on the Company's
investment in Value Auto Partners, Ltd. (the Partnership). As a result of losses
incurred by the Partnership, and based on management's assessment of the
recoverability of the carrying amount of the investment, during the second
quarter of fiscal year 1997 management concluded that the investment should be
written off. The Company's equity in Partnership losses was $193,981, or 0. 8%
as a percentage of total store revenue. The write-off of the remaining balance
of the investment in the Partnership resulted in a pretax loss of $229,579, or
0.9% as a percentage of total store revenue for 1997 (see Note 11).



                                        8
<PAGE>   9
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS, Continued

     For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 compared to the fiscal year ended
July 31, 1997, net income increased $627,677, or 378% to $793,737 for 1998 from
$166,060 for 1997. Net income expressed as a percent of total store revenue
increased to 3.0% in 1998 from 0.7% in 1997 due to the factors discussed above.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

     For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 the Company's net cash flows from
operating activities was $9,478,714 as compared to $9,895,993 for the fiscal
year ended July 31, 1997. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in
working capital requirements offset by increased cash flow from the two stores
acquired in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1998, a full year's cash flow from
two new internal store openings during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1997
and cash flow from a single new internal store opening during the first quarter
of the fiscal year 1998.

     For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 the Company's net cash flows used
in investing activities was $9,398,556 as compared to $9,001,035 for the fiscal
year ended July 31, 1997. The Company's investing activities reflects a $379,575
decrease in additions to property and equipment, a $596,310 increase in the
purchase of rental units and equipment and a $119,342 increase from restricted
cash relating to escrow money deposited in connection with the sale of certain
stores in 1994 which was released from escrow in the current year.

     For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998 the Company's net cash flows
provided by (used in) financing activities was $66,223 as compared to ($865,733)
for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1997. The increase in financing activities
principally reflects increased borrowings on the Company's debt.

     On August 18, 1997, the Company amended its August 19, 1993 Second
Amendment to First Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Loan Agreement (the
"Agreement") with its senior collateralized lender. In the amendment, the
Company extended the maturity date from August 19, 1997 to November 18, 1997. On
November 18, 1997, the Company further amended the Agreement. Pursuant to the
Third Amendment of the Agreement, the Company among other things, increased the
maximum amount of revolving credit under such loan Agreement from $7,500,000 to
$8,500,000 and extended the maturity date of such Agreement by two years from
November 18, 1997 to November 30, 1999.

     With the Company having available credit of approximately $3,388,000 under
the $8,500,000 Agreement, as amended November 18, 1997, management believes the
Company has adequate resources to meet its future cash obligations.

     On August 18, 1997, the Company paid in full a $100,000 subordinated note
payable to a director and stockholder.

     On August 19, 1997, the Company amended its note payable to limited
partnership and stockholder dated July 19, 1993. In the amendment, the Company
extended the maturity date by two years from August 19, 1997 to August 19, 1999
and increased the interest rate from 4.5% to 6.0% during the first year and 8.0%
thereafter.



                                        9

<PAGE>   10
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS, Continued

     On May 22, 1998, the Company signed an Asset Purchase Agreement with Ideal
Rent-to-Own, Inc. to acquire all the assets of a single store location in North
Carolina. The Company paid approximately $140,000 in cash for all the assets
involved in the daily operations of the store including all idle rental
inventory, all rental contracts, vehicles, store furniture and fixtures,
computer and leasehold improvements. Additionally, the Company obtained the
seller's former store location by assuming the lease agreement.

     On May 29, 1998, the Company signed an Asset Purchase Agreement with Grand
Rental Station, Inc. to acquire all the assets of a single store location in
Tennessee. The Company paid $262,000 in cash for all the assets involved in the
daily operations of the store including all idle rental inventory, all rental
contracts, vehicles, store furniture and fixtures, computers and leasehold
improvements. Additionally, the Company obtained the seller's former store
location by assuming the lease agreement.

     In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income" and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information", both effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 1997. Management does not anticipate that these statements will have a
significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

     In February 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
132, "Employers Disclosure about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits."
This statement revises employers' disclosures about pensions and other
postretirement benefit plans. It does not change the measurement or recognition
of those plans. SFAS No. 132 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1997. Management does not anticipate that this statement will have
a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Inflation

     Although the Company cannot precisely determine the effects of inflation on
its business, it is management's belief that the effects on revenues and
operating results have not been significant.

Year 2000

     The Company is coordinating the identification, evaluation, and
implementation of changes to computer systems and applications necessary to
achieve a year 2000 date conversion with no effect on customers or disruption to
business operations. These actions are necessary to ensure that the systems and
applications will recognize and process the year 2000 and beyond. The Company
uses purchased software programs for a variety of functions, including general
ledger, accounts payable, and fixed assets packages. As part of the year 2000
readiness process, significant service providers, vendors, suppliers and
customers that are believed to be critical to business operations after January
1, 2000, have been identified and steps are underway in an attempt to reasonably
ascertain their stage of year 2000 readiness. The failure to correct a material
year 2000 problem could result in an interruption in, or a failure of, certain
normal business activities and operations, liquidity and financial condition.
Due to the general uncertainty inherent in the year 2000 problem, resulting in
part from the uncertainty of the year 2000 readiness of third party suppliers,
the Company is unable to determine if year 2000 failures will have a material
impact on the Company. The total cost of compliance and its effect on the
Company's future results of operations is not expected to be material.



                                       10

<PAGE>   11
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS, Continued

Results of Operations for the Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 1997 Compared to 1996

     Total revenue increased $5,738,960 or 30.3% to $24,662,812 as compared to
$18,923,852 in fiscal year 1996. The increase was due to the inclusion of the
operating results for the stores acquired and opened during fiscal year 1996 and
operations for two internal new store openings during fiscal year 1997. The
stores acquired and opened in 1996 accounted for $5,791,059, internal new store
openings, which were opened during the fourth quarter, accounted for $20,376,
and the Company's same stores experienced revenue losses of $72,475 for the
year. Although many of the acquired stores are operating at revenue levels below
that of the Company's existing stores, the majority are profitable. While the
additions of these stores has increased the level of other operating expenses as
a percentage of revenue due to the relatively fixed nature of these expenses,
management expects to realize increased profitability from these stores by
implementing certain programs aimed at increasing operating efficiencies
including the realignment of its current districts to provide more focus on
under performing stores and the additions of key management personnel.

     The Company receives rental revenues from various products including
televisions and video cassette recorders, household appliances, as well as home
furniture and jewelry. In fiscal year 1997, approximately 19% of the Company's
rental revenue was derived from appliances, 24% from home furniture, 31% from
electronics, 10% from various other products including jewelry and 16% from
various services and charges to rental customers including reinstatement fees,
club program and liability waiver fees.

     Total costs and operating expenses increased $6,321,859 or 35.1% to
$24,342,808 from $18,020,949. Costs and operating expenses associated with the
Company's core business increased $5,898,299 and as a percentage of total
revenues increased to 97.0% from 95.2%. This increase is primarily the result of
other operating and occupancy expenses associated with the stores acquired and
opened in 1996 and operating losses from the two new internal stores opened
during the fourth quarter. Other operating expenses increased $2,077,171 to
$7,341,042 from $5,263,871 and as a percentage of total revenues increased 2.0%
to 29.8% from 27.8%. Occupancy expense increased $460,606 to $1,391,811 from
$931,205 and as a percentage of total revenues increased .7% to 5.6% from 4.9%.
The stores acquired and opened in 1996 operated at a lower average revenue per
store and therefore, had higher operating and occupancy costs as a percentage of
revenues than the Company's existing stores.

     Costs and operating expenses increased $423,560 or 1.7% as a percentage of
total revenue due to losses incurred on the Company's investment in Value Auto
Partners, Ltd. (the "Partnership"). As a result of losses incurred by the
Partnership, and based on management's assessment of the recoverability of the
carrying amount of the investment, during the second quarter management
concluded that the investment should be written off. The Company's equity in
Partnership losses was $193,981 or .8% as a percentage of total revenues. The
write off of the remaining balance of the investment in the Partnership resulted
in a pretax loss of $229,579 or .9% as a percentage of total revenues for the
year (see Note 11).

     Depreciation expense related to rental merchandise increased $980,589 to
$5,432,915 from $4,452,326, but decreased by 1.5% as a percentage of total
revenues primarily due to higher rental rates on rental merchandise. Other
depreciation and amortization increased $455,218 to $1,567,194 from $1,111,976
and as a percentage of total revenues increased .5% to 6.4% from 5.9%.
Amortization of intangibles increased $212,474 due to intangible assets created
by the stores acquired in 1996 while other depreciation increased $242,744.

     Salaries and wages increased $1,614,663 to $6,349,542 from $4,734,879 and
as a percentage of total revenues increased .8% to 25.8% from 25.0% primarily
due to the addition of the stores acquired and opened in 1996, increased same
store salaries and wages and the addition of key management personnel. The
acquired and new locations produced additional salaries and wages of $1,190,424
for the year. Same store salaries and wages increased $140,394 for the year. The
additions of key management personnel in operations, real estate management and
human resources produced additional salaries and wages of $283,845 for the year.



                                       11
<PAGE>   12

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS, Continued

     Interest expense increased $187,206 to $756,738 from $569,532 and as a
percentage of total revenues remained consistent with the prior year at 3.1%.

Cautionary Statement

     This Report on Form 10-K and the foregoing Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains various
"forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended. The Company's Annual Report to Shareholders, any Report on Form 10-Q
or Form 8-K or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the
Company may include forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements
represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Any
forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company are subject to
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from such statements. These uncertainties and other factors include,
but are not limited to, (i) the ability of the Company to open or acquire
additional rental-purchase stores on favorable terms, (ii) the ability of the
Company to improve the performance of such acquired stores and to integrate such
opened or acquired stores into the Company's operations, and (iii) the impact of
state and federal laws regulating or otherwise affecting the rental-purchase
transaction. Undo reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking
statements made by or on behalf of the Company as such statements speak only as
of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
the occurrence of future events or otherwise.


ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     Reference is hereby made to the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes
thereto appearing at pages F-1 to F-19 hereof.


ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     None.

                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The information required will be contained in the Company's Proxy Statement
for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders for 1998, and is incorporated herein by
reference.



                                       12

<PAGE>   13
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The information required will be contained in the Company's Proxy Statement
for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders for 1998, and is incorporated herein by
reference.


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     The information required will be contained in the Company's Proxy Statement
for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders for 1998, and is incorporated herein by
reference.


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     The information required will be contained in the Company's Proxy Statement
for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders for 1998, and is incorporated herein by
reference.


                                     PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)      The following are filed as Exhibits to this Annual Report filed as Form
         10-K for the year ended July 31, 1998.

(b)      Exhibits

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Exhibit
         Number                             Document
         ------                             --------

<S>                       <C>
         21               Subsidiaries
         23               Consent of Auditors
         27               Financial Data Schedule
                                   Filed electronically only, not attached to printed reports
</TABLE>


(c)      Reports on Form 8-K

         The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the year ended
July 31, 1998.



                                       13


<PAGE>   14

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                       BESTWAY, INC.



October 28, 1998                       /s/ R. Brooks Reed
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       R. BROOKS REED, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
                                       OF DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant in the capacities indicated on the 28 day of October 1998.

/s/ R. Brooks Reed                         Chairman of the Board of Directors
-----------------------------------        and Chief Executive Officer
R. BROOKS REED

/s/ Jack E. Meyer                          Director
-----------------------------------
JACK E. MEYER

/s/ James A. O'Donnell                     Director
-----------------------------------
JAMES A. O'DONNELL

s/ Teresa A. Sheffield                     President and Chief Operating Officer
-----------------------------------
TERESA A. SHEFFIELD

/s/ Beth A. Durrett                        Senior Vice President - Finance
-----------------------------------
BETH A. DURRETT

s/ Joe R. McElroy                          Vice President - Real Estate
-----------------------------------
JOE R. MCELROY



                                       14

<PAGE>   15
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  BESTWAY, INC.
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                           Page No.
                                                                                                                           --------

<S>                                                                                                                       <C>
Report of Independent Accountants                                                                                            F-2

Financial Statements:
       Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 1998 and 1997                                                              F-3
       Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended July 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996                                    F-4
       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended July 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996                                F-5
       Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended July 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996                      F-6
       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                                         F-7 - F-19
</TABLE>



                                       F-1
<PAGE>   16


                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


October 15, 1998


To the Board of Directors
  of Bestway, Inc.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related
consolidated statements of income, cash flows and stockholders' equity present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bestway, Inc. (the
"Company") at July 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended July 31, 1998,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.


                                       /s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
<PAGE>   17

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 July 31, 1998      July 31, 1997
                                                                                 -------------      -------------
<S>                                                                               <C>               <C>         
                                               ASSETS

         Cash and cash equivalents                                                $    501,119      $    354,738
         Restricted cash                                                                  --             119,342
         Prepaid expenses                                                              182,118           127,977
         Deferred income taxes                                                       1,269,065         1,702,080
         Other assets                                                                   46,773            68,889

         Rental merchandise, at cost                                                17,723,833        15,962,450
            less accumulated depreciation                                            6,315,080         5,818,763
                                                                                  ------------      ------------
                                                                                    11,408,753        10,143,687
                                                                                  ------------      ------------

         Property and equipment, at cost                                             5,366,471         5,019,151
            less accumulated depreciation                                            2,816,429         2,287,383
                                                                                  ------------      ------------
                                                                                     2,550,042         2,731,768
                                                                                  ------------      ------------

         Non-competes, net of amortization                                             393,056           568,841
         Goodwill, net of amortization                                               2,323,024         2,556,645
                                                                                  ------------      ------------

                 Total assets                                                     $ 18,673,950      $ 18,373,967
                                                                                  ============      ============

                                LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

         Accounts payable                                                         $    865,162      $  1,327,216
         Accrued interest - related parties                                             15,500            12,013
         Accrued interest - other                                                         --              45,250

         Income taxes payable                                                          184,419            52,648
         Other accrued liabilities                                                     982,464         1,170,395

         Notes payable-related parties                                               3,000,000         3,100,000
         Notes payable-other                                                         5,230,043         5,071,945

         Commitments and contingencies (Notes 7 and 12)

         Stockholders' equity:
            Preferred stock, $10.00 par value,
              1,000,000 authorized, none issued                                           --                --
            Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 authorized, 1,751,592 and
              1,749,967 issued and outstanding at July 31,
              1998 and July 31, 1997, respectively                                      17,516            17,500
            Paid-in capital                                                         16,098,006        16,089,897
            Accumulated deficit                                                     (7,719,160)       (8,512,897)
                                                                                  ------------      ------------
            Total stockholders' equity                                               8,396,362         7,594,500
                                                                                  ------------      ------------

            Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                            $ 18,673,950      $ 18,373,967
                                                                                  ============      ============
</TABLE>

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



                                      F-3
<PAGE>   18

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Fiscal Years Ended
                                                           -----------------------------------------------
                                                            July 31, 1998    July 31, 1997   July 31, 1996
                                                           ---------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                                                          <C>             <C>             <C>         
   Revenues:
      Rental income                                          $ 25,614,663    $ 24,382,493    $ 18,710,098
      Sales of merchandise                                        261,271         280,319         213,754
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                               25,875,934      24,662,812      18,923,852
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
   Cost and Operating Expenses:
      Depreciation and amortization:
        Rental merchandise                                      5,643,299       5,432,915       4,452,326
        Other                                                   1,519,791       1,567,194       1,111,976
      Cost of merchandise sold                                    253,884         273,898         208,785
      Salaries and wages                                        6,618,696       6,349,542       4,734,879
      Advertising                                                 867,515         800,200         709,237
      Occupancy                                                 1,568,870       1,391,811         931,205
      Other operating expenses                                  7,181,563       7,341,042       5,263,871
      Equity in loss of partnership                                  --           193,981            --
      Write off of investment in partnership                         --           229,579            --
      Interest expense                                            795,232         756,738         569,532
      Loss on sale of property and equipment                       45,271           5,908          39,138
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                               24,494,121      24,342,808      18,020,949
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
   Income from continuing operations before income tax
      provision:                                                1,381,813         320,004         902,903
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
        Current income tax expense                                155,064          34,322          49,099
        Deferred income tax expense                               433,012         119,622         321,574
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                  588,076         153,944         370,673
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
        Income from continuing operations                         793,737         166,060         532,230
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------

      Discontinued operations (Note 10):
        Loss from discontinued business
           (net of income tax benefit of $78,147)                    --              --           156,425
        Loss on disposal of business
           (net of income tax benefit of $68,535)                    --              --           238,143
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
      Loss from discontinued operations, net                         --              --           394,568
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
      Net income                                             $    793,737    $    166,060    $    137,662
                                                             ============    ============    ============


      Basic net income per share:
        Income from continuing operations                            0.45            0.10            0.34
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
        Loss from discontinued operations                            --              --             (0.25)
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------

           Net income                                        $       0.45    $       0.10    $       0.09
                                                             ============    ============    ============

      Diluted net income per share:
        Income from continuing operations                            0.44            0.09            0.34
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------
        Loss from discontinued operations                            --              --             (0.25)
                                                             ------------    ------------    ------------

           Net income                                        $       0.44    $       0.09    $       0.09
                                                             ============    ============    ============

      Weighted average common shares outstanding                1,750,384       1,749,780       1,549,619
                                                             ============    ============    ============

      Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding        1,795,552       1,793,926       1,597,290
                                                             ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



                                      F-4
<PAGE>   19
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Fiscal Years Ended
                                                                  ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                   July 31, 1998    July 31, 1997     July 31, 1996
                                                                  ---------------  ---------------   ----------------

<S>                                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>        
   Cash flows from operating activities:
      Net income                                                    $   793,737      $   166,060      $   137,662
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
        provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                                   7,163,090        7,000,109        5,564,300
      Net book value of rental units retired                          1,635,606        1,765,015        1,237,172
      Loss on sale of property and equipment                             45,271            5,908           39,138
      Loss on discontinued operations                                      --               --            394,568
      Loss on equity investment in partnership                             --            193,981             --
      Loss on partnership investment                                       --            229,579             --
      Deferred income taxes                                             433,012          119,622          321,574
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities other than cash:
      Prepaid expenses                                                  (54,141)         214,935         (212,911)
      Other assets                                                       22,116           52,584           75,140
      Accounts payable                                                 (462,054)         350,347         (147,613)
      Income taxes payable                                              131,771          (13,383)          (1,841)
      Other accrued liabilities                                        (229,694)        (188,764)         (41,558)
                                                                    -----------      -----------      -----------
              Total adjustments                                        (592,002)         415,719         (328,783)
                                                                    -----------      -----------      -----------
   Net cash flows from operating activities                           9,478,714        9,895,993        7,365,631
                                                                    -----------      -----------      -----------

   Cash flows from investing activities:
      Purchase of rental units and equipment                         (8,343,193)      (7,746,883)      (6,609,139)
      Additions to property and equipment                              (932,022)      (1,311,597)      (1,122,102)
      Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                      159,040           57,445           15,278
      Proceeds from insurance recovery                                     --               --             43,254
      Proceeds from restricted cash                                     119,342             --               --
      Purchase of investments                                              --               --           (586,541)
      Asset purchases net of cash acquired                             (401,723)            --           (499,200)
                                                                    -----------      -----------      -----------
   Net cash flows used in investing activities                       (9,398,556)      (9,001,035)      (8,758,450)
                                                                    -----------      -----------      -----------

   Cash flows from financing activities:
      Proceeds of notes payable                                       3,483,932        2,325,000        5,025,000
      Repayment of notes payable                                     (3,425,834)      (3,201,983)      (3,636,010)
      Stock issuance                                                      8,125           11,250             --
                                                                    -----------      -----------      -----------
   Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities             66,223         (865,733)       1,388,990
                                                                    -----------      -----------      -----------

   Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year               354,738          325,513          329,342
                                                                    -----------      -----------      -----------

   Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year                 $   501,119      $   354,738      $   325,513
                                                                    ===========      ===========      ===========
</TABLE>



    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



                                      F-5
<PAGE>   20
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

For years ended July 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Common Stock
                                                   ---------------------------         Paid-in        Accumulated
                                                      Shares           Amount          Capital          Deficit
                                                   ------------     ------------    --------------   --------------

<S>                                               <C>               <C>             <C>             <C>
Balance at July 31, 1995                              1,500,070     $     15,001     $ 14,842,911     $ (8,816,619)
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
   Stock issued in acquisitions                         247,647            2,476        1,235,759             --
   Net income for the year ended July 31, 1996             --               --               --            137,662
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Balance at July 31, 1996                              1,747,717           17,477       16,078,670       (8,678,957)
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
   Stock options exercised                                2,250               23           11,227             --
   Net income for the year ended July 31, 1997             --               --               --            166,060
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Balance at July 31, 1997                              1,749,967           17,500       16,089,897       (8,512,897)
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
   Stock options exercised                                1,625               16            8,109             --
   Net income for the year ended July 31, 1998             --               --               --            793,737
                                                   ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Balance at July 31, 1998                              1,751,592     $     17,516     $ 16,098,006     $ (7,719,160)
                                                   ============     ============     ============     ============
</TABLE>



    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



                                      F-6
<PAGE>   21

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

       Basis of Presentation

              The consolidated financial statements of Bestway, Inc. (the
       "Company"), include the Company's wholly-owned operating subsidiaries,
       Bestway Rental, Inc. which operates under the registered trade name
       "Bestway Rent-To-Own," U.S. Credit-Service Corporation and Westdale Data
       Service, Inc. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated
       in the consolidated financial statements.

              The Company owns and operates a total of sixty-five stores located
       in various states. The store operations are controlled and monitored
       through the Company's management information system networked with its
       home office in Dallas, Texas. The Company's store locations by state as
       of July 31, 1998, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Number of
           State                                Stores
           -----                               ---------

<S>                                           <C>
           Alabama                                 17
           Arkansas                                 1
           Georgia                                  2
           Mississippi                             17
           North Carolina                           6
           South Carolina                           6
           Tennessee                               16
                                                -----
                                                   65
                                                =====
</TABLE>

       Rental Merchandise, Related Rental Revenue and Depreciation

              Rental merchandise is rented to customers pursuant to rental
       agreements which provide for either weekly or monthly rental terms with
       nonrefundable rental payments for the first week or month collected in
       advance. Rental revenue is recognized as collected since at the time of
       collection the rental merchandise has been placed in service and costs of
       installation and delivery have been incurred. Rental agreements generally
       cover a period of 12 to 24 months with a majority of rental agreements
       specifying 18 months. At the end of each rental period, the customer can
       renew the rental agreement, return the merchandise with no obligation, or
       purchase the merchandise by exercising their early purchase option.
       Amounts received from such sales are included in revenue when received.
       Past due or stolen merchandise is expensed generally within three months
       from the due date. The Company receives rental revenue from various
       products including televisions and video cassette recorders, household
       appliances, as well as home furniture and jewelry. In fiscal year 1998,
       approximately 18% of the Company's rental revenue was derived from
       appliances, 25% from home furniture, 29% from electronics, 10% from
       various other products such as jewelry and 18% from various services and
       charges to rental customers including reinstatement fees, club fees and
       liability waiver fees. In fiscal year 1997, approximately 19% of the
       Company's rental revenue was derived from appliances, 24% from home
       furniture, 31% from electronics, 10% from various other products such as
       jewelry and 16% from various services and charges to rental customers
       including reinstatement fees and liability waiver fees.

              Merchandise rented to customers, or available for rent, is
       recorded at cost net of accumulated depreciation, which equals the
       carrying amount, and is classified in the consolidated balance sheets as
       rental merchandise. Merchandise rented to customers is depreciated on the
       income-forecast basis over the term of the rental agreement ranging from
       12 to 24 months. When not on rent, merchandise is not depreciated.



                                      F-7
<PAGE>   22

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued

       Sales of Merchandise

              Sales of merchandise includes revenue from cash sales of primarily
       used merchandise.

       Property and Equipment

              Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Major improvements to
       property and equipment are capitalized. Maintenance and repair
       expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. As fixed assets are sold
       or retired, the applicable cost and accumulated depreciation are
       eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is recorded.

              Depreciation of property and equipment is provided over the
       estimated useful lives, on the straight-line basis as defined below.
       Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life
       of the asset or the term of the lease and renewal period, if applicable.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Lives (years)
                                                             -------------

<S>                                                         <C>
              Furniture and fixtures                               7
              Vehicles                                             5
              Computer equipment                                   3
</TABLE>

       Cash and Cash Equivalents

              Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and on deposit,
       and highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less
       when purchased. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents is the
       estimated fair value at July 31, 1997 and 1998.

       Restricted Cash

              Amount represented escrow money deposited in connection with the
       sale of certain stores in 1994. Disbursements were to be made from this
       account to satisfy any taxes owed by the Company, any claims of third
       parties against the assets which were the Company's responsibility, or to
       satisfy any indemnification rights as specified in the Asset Purchase
       Agreement. An assessment against the Company was made by the Illinois
       Department of Revenue relating to alleged unpaid sales tax. The Company
       received a favorable judgment on June 1, 1998 for approximately $27,000.
       As a result, the amount has been released from escrow.

        Intangible Assets

              Goodwill represents the cost in excess of the fair value of net
       tangible assets of acquired businesses and is being amortized on a
       straight-line basis over 15 to 20 years. Accumulated amortization of
       goodwill was $2,036,464 and $1,802,843 at July 31, 1998 and 1997,
       respectively.

              The non-competes represents the allocation of the purchase price
       from the September 10, 1993 acquisition of 12 stores in Mississippi, the
       April 12, 1996 acquisition of 15 stores in Georgia, North Carolina and
       South Carolina, the July 1, 1996 acquisition of 8 stores in Arkansas and
       Mississippi, the May 22, 1998 acquisition of one store in North Carolina
       and the May 29, 1998 acquisition of one store in Tennessee and is being
       amortized on a straight-line basis over periods from 2 to 5 years.
       Accumulated amortization of the non-competes was $1,313,122 and $952,398
       at July 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.



                                      F-8
<PAGE>   23

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, Continued

              The Company continually evaluates the propriety of the carrying
       amount of goodwill and other intangibles based on the estimated future
       undiscounted cash flows of the related investment, as well as the
       amortization period to determine whether current events and circumstances
       warrant adjustments to carrying value and/or revised estimates of useful
       lives. At this time, the Company believes that no significant impairment
       of the goodwill and other intangibles has occurred and that no reduction
       of the estimated useful lives is warranted.

       Income Taxes

              Investment tax credits are accounted for on the "flow-through"
       method.

       Earnings Per Common Share

              Earnings per common share is based on the weighted average of
       common shares outstanding during the period and the effect of considering
       common stock equivalents (stock options) under the treasury stock method.
       In January 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share,"
       resulting in the replacement of primary earnings per share (EPS) with a
       newly defined basic EPS and modification to the computation of diluted
       EPS. As a result, all prior period EPS data has been restated to conform
       to the provisions of this statement. For the fiscal year ended July 31,
       1997 and 1996, basic net income per share as restated equals net income
       per share as reported.

              For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, 45,168,
       44,146 and 47,671 shares of common stock options were included in the
       denominator for the calculation of diluted net income per share.

       Advertising Costs

              Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

       Estimates

              The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
       generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
       estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets,
       particularly deferred tax assets, and liabilities, disclosure of
       contingent assets and liabilities and reported amounts of revenues and
       expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

       New Accounting Standards

              In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting
       Comprehensive Income" and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an
       Enterprise and Related Information", both effective for fiscal years
       beginning after December 15, 1997. Management does not anticipate that
       these statements will have a significant effect on the Company's
       consolidated financial statements.

              In February 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
       SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosure about Pensions and Other
       Postretirement Benefits." This statement revises employers' disclosures
       about pensions and other postretirement benefit plans. It does not change
       the measurement of recognition of those plans. SFAS No. 132 is effective
       for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. Management does not
       anticipate that this statement will have a significant effect on the
       Company's consolidated financial statements.

       Reclassifications

              Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years
       financial statements in order to conform to the current year's
       presentation.



                                      F-9
<PAGE>   24

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2.     ACQUISITIONS:

              On April 12, 1996, the Company acquired substantially all of the
       assets and certain liabilities of All Star Rental, Inc. a privately-owned
       South Carolina corporation ("All Star"). The assets acquired by the
       Company included the idle inventory, rental contracts, vehicles, store
       furniture and fixtures, computers and leasehold improvements. In
       addition, the Company assumed the leases for 15 of All Star's former
       store locations.

              The Company delivered to All Star 115,647 non-registered shares of
       the Company's Common Stock valued at $578,235. The aggregate purchase
       price in connection with the acquisition was based on a multiple of
       average monthly revenues less certain assumed liabilities. The
       acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method and,
       accordingly, the operating results of All Star are included in the
       accompanying consolidated financial statements from the date of
       acquisition. The acquisition resulted in $1,226,283 of intangible assets.
       These items are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods not
       exceeding 15 years.

              On July 1, 1996, the Company acquired substantially all of the
       assets of REJA, Inc., a privately-owned Arkansas corporation ("REJA").
       The assets acquired by the Company primarily include the idle inventory,
       rental contracts, vehicles, store furniture and fixtures, computers and
       leasehold improvements. In addition, the Company assumed the leases for 8
       of REJA's former store locations.

              The Company delivered to REJA 132,000 non-registered shares of the
       Company's Common Stock valued at $660,000 and $500,000 cash, as the
       aggregate purchase price in connection with the acquisition. The
       acquisition has been accounted for under the purchase method and,
       accordingly, the operating results of REJA are included in the
       accompanying consolidated financial statements from the date of
       acquisition. The acquisition resulted in $314,829 of intangible assets.
       These items are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods not
       exceeding 15 years.

              The following summary reflects the unaudited condensed pro forma
       revenues, costs and operating expenses and presents the results of the
       operations of the Company assuming these acquisitions had been
       consummated as of the first day of the Company's fiscal year ended July
       31, 1996 and are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          July 31, 1996
                                                                          -------------
                                                                           (Unaudited)

<S>                                                                       <C>         
           Revenues                                                       $ 25,381,168
           Costs and operating expenses                                     24,693,047
                                                                          ------------
           Net income from continuing operations                          $    688,121
                                                                          ============
           Basic net income per share from continuing operations          $       0.39
                                                                          ============
</TABLE>

              On May 22, 1998, the Company signed an Asset Purchase Agreement
       with Ideal Rent to Own, Inc. to acquire all the assets of a single store
       location in North Carolina. The Company paid approximately $140,000 in
       cash for all assets involved in the daily operations of the store
       including all idle rental inventory, all rental contracts, vehicles,
       store furniture and fixtures, computer and leasehold improvements.
       Additionally, the Company obtained the seller's former store location by
       assuming the lease agreement.

              On May 29, 1998, the Company signed an Asset Purchase Agreement
       with Grand Rental Station, Inc. to acquire all the assets of a single
       store location in Tennessee. The Company paid $262,000 in cash for all
       the assets involved in the daily operations of the store including all
       idle rental inventory, all rental contracts, vehicles, store furniture
       and fixtures, computers and leasehold improvements. Additionally, the
       Company obtained the seller's former store location by assuming the lease
       agreement.



                                      F-10
<PAGE>   25

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

3.     PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

              Property and equipment consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     July 31, 1998    July 31, 1997
                                                    ---------------  ---------------

<S>                                                   <C>              <C>        
              Building and leaseholds                 $ 1,875,178      $ 1,760,843
              Vehicles                                  2,263,613        2,045,072
              Furniture and fixtures                      783,875          680,543
              Computer equipment                          443,805          532,693
                                                      -----------      -----------
                                                        5,366,471        5,019,151
              Accumulated depreciation                 (2,816,429)      (2,287,383)
                                                      -----------      -----------
                                                      $ 2,550,042      $ 2,731,768
                                                      ===========      ===========
</TABLE>


4.     NOTES PAYABLE:

             Notes payable consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Years Ended
                                                                                      ---------------------------------------
                                                                                        July 31, 1998         July 31, 1997
                                                                                      -----------------     -----------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>                  <C>        
           Senior Collateralized Debt

           Revolving Credit Loan Agreement dated August 19, 1993, amended
              November 18, 1997, interest payable monthly at prime plus 1.5%;
              note matures on November 30, 1999; note collateralized by 
              substantially all the Company's assets                                     $ 5,112,001          $ 4,930,027

           Subordinated Debt

           Note payable to limited partnership and stockholder dated July 19,
              1993, amended August 19, 1997, interest paid quarterly beginning
              October 1, 1993; note, as amended, matures on
              August 19, 1999.                                                             3,000,000            3,000,000

           Note payable to director and stockholder dated July 19, 1993,
              interest payable quarterly beginning October 1, 1993 at 4.5%
              per annum; note, as amended, was paid in full on August 18, 1997                --                  100,000

           Other Notes Payable

           Note payable to bank dated April 11, 1994, principal payable monthly,
              interest payable monthly at 9% per annum; note matures on April
              15, 2006; note collateralized by associated
              real estate                                                                   118,042               127,880
</TABLE>



                                      F-11
<PAGE>   26

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

4.     NOTES PAYABLE, Continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      Years Ended
                                                                                       ------------------------------------------
                                                                                          July 31, 1998         July 31, 1997
                                                                                       -------------------   --------------------

<S>                                                                                    <C>                   <C>
           Notes payable due in monthly installments ranging from $800 to $1,400
              including interest at an average of 9% per annum
              through fiscal year 1998.                                                          --                   14,038
                                                                                           -----------           -----------

                                                                                           $ 8,230,043           $ 8,171,945
                                                                                           ===========           ===========
</TABLE>

              At July 31, 1998 and 1997 the prime rate was 8.50%, respectively.

              On August 18, 1997, the Company amended its August 19, 1993 Second
       Amendment to First Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Loan Agreement
       with its senior collateralized lender. In the amendment, the Company
       extended the maturity date from August 19, 1997 to November 18, 1997. On
       November 18, 1997, the Company further amended the Agreement. Pursuant to
       the Third Amendment of the Agreement, the Company revised certain
       covenants, increased the maximum amount of revolving credit under such
       loan Agreement from $7,500,000 to $8,500,000 and extended the maturity
       date of such Agreement by two years from November 18, 1997 to November
       30, 1999. The loan agreement includes restrictive covenants, the most
       restrictive of which prohibits the payment of dividends. At July 31,
       1998, the Company had the capacity to borrow $3,387,999 under the
       $8,500,000 amended line of credit.

              On August 18, 1997, the $100,000 subordinated note payable dated
       July 19, 1993 maturing August 19, 1997 was paid in full.

              On August 19, 1997, the Company amended its subordinated note
       payable to limited partnership and stockholder dated July 19, 1993. In
       the amendment, the Company extended the maturity date from August 19,
       1997 to August 19, 1999 and increased the interest rate from 4.5% to 6.0%
       during the first year and 8.0% thereafter.

              At July 31, 1998, the carrying value of the Company's notes
       payable approximated fair value, estimated primarily based on the
       borrowing rates available to the Company for debt with similar terms and
       average maturities.

              Following is a summary of maturities of notes payable, as amended,
       for each of the periods ending July 31:

<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>        
              1999                    $    11,013
              2000                      8,124,047
              2001                         14,328
              2002                         14,520
              2003                         15,882
              Thereafter                   50,253
                                      -----------

                                      $ 8,230,043
                                      ===========
</TABLE>



                                      F-12
<PAGE>   27
BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5.    INCOME TAXES:

              The provisions for income tax on income from continuing operations
       consists of the following for the years ended July 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1998           1997           1996
                                                 ---------      ---------      ---------

<S>                                              <C>            <C>            <C>      
         Current:
            Federal                              $  76,344      $  15,180      $  16,848
            State                                   78,720         19,142         32,251
                                                 ---------      ---------      ---------
                                                   155,064         34,322         49,099
                                                 ---------      ---------      ---------
         Deferred:
            Federal                                460,661        131,933        329,081
            State                                  (27,649)       (12,311)        (7,507)
                                                 ---------      ---------      ---------
                                                   433,012        119,622        321,574
                                                 ---------      ---------      ---------
         Total income tax provision              $ 588,076      $ 153,944      $ 370,673
                                                 =========      =========      =========
</TABLE>

              Significant components of the Company's deferred income tax assets
       at July 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1998             1997
                                                                -----------      -----------

<S>                                                             <C>              <C>        
       Net operating loss carryforward                          $   489,290      $ 1,250,741
       Investment tax credit carryforward                            25,721           36,733
       Minimum tax credit carryover                                 100,496           58,674
       Property and equipment                                       110,919             --
       Unrealized loss                                              145,545          145,545
       Intangible assets                                            422,815          261,655
                                                                -----------      -----------
               Total deferred tax assets                          1,294,786        1,753,348
       Property and equipment                                          --             14,535
                                                                -----------      -----------
               Total deferred tax liabilities                          --             14,535
                                                                -----------      -----------
       Valuation allowance                                          (25,721)         (36,733)
                                                                -----------      -----------
               Net deferred tax asset                           $ 1,269,065      $ 1,702,080
                                                                ===========      ===========
</TABLE>

              Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based
       on available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of
       all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In fiscal 1998 and
       1997, the valuation allowance was reduced $11,012 and $147,231,
       respectively as a result of the expiration of investment tax credit
       carryforwards.



                                      F-13
<PAGE>   28

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

5.     INCOME TAXES, Continued:

              The following is the reconciliation of the U.S. statutory tax rate
       to the Company's effective tax rate on income from continuing operations
       for the years ended July 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1998           1997           1996
                                                           ----------     ----------      ----------

<S>                                                        <C>            <C>             <C>       
         Federal income tax at statutory rate of 34%       $  469,816     $  108,801      $  306,987
         Goodwill amortization                                 58,152         58,152          58,152
         State income tax                                      52,071         (8,413)         13,205
         Other                                                  8,037         (4,596)         (7,671)
                                                           ----------     ----------      ----------

                   Provision for income tax                $  588,076     $  153,944      $  370,673
                                                           ==========     ==========      ==========
</TABLE>



              During 1998 and 1997, the net operating loss carryforwards were
       reduced by $2,239,563 and $863,144, respectively. At July 31, 1998, the
       Company has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $1,439,088
       expiring from 2005 to 2006. The Company has investment tax credit
       carryforwards of approximately $25,721 which expire between 1999 and
       2001.


6.     RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

              The Company has a consulting agreement with a former owner of one
       of the Company's operating subsidiaries. As of July 31, 1998, $93,000
       recorded in other accrued liabilities in the Company's financial
       statements remains to be paid over 11 years. If, however, the market
       price of the Company's Common Stock reaches $50.00 per share, the Company
       has no further obligation under this consulting agreement. Consulting
       fees paid for each of the years ended July 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was
       $30,000.

              Interest expense relating to notes payable to affiliates amounted
       to approximately $182,500 for the years ended July 31, 1998 and $192,000
       for the years ended July 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.



                                      F-14
<PAGE>   29

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

7.    LEASES:

              The Company leases all store facilities, with the exception of
       one, under operating leases with terms ranging from one to ten years.
       Many leases contain escalation clauses, and some provide for contingent
       rentals based on percentages of gross revenue or increases in the
       consumer price index. Minimum lease obligations for the Company at July
       31, 1998 by fiscal year are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                  <C>         
           1999                                      $  1,310,478
           2000                                         1,163,859
           2001                                           947,941
           2002                                           700,993
           2003                                           597,229
           Thereafter                                   1,157,949
                                                     ------------
                                                     $  5,878,449
                                                     ============
</TABLE>

              Occupancy expense under operating leases for the years ended July
       31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $1,568,870, $1,391,811 and $931,205,
       respectively.


8.     SUPPLEMENTAL DATA TO STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS:

              Cash interest payments for the years ended July 31, 1998, 1997 and
       1996 are $836,995, $760,745 and $542,835, respectively. Cash tax payments
       for the years ended July 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 are $23,293, $47,706,
       and $50,940, respectively.

              In fiscal year 1996, the Company delivered 247,647 shares of its
       Common Stock valued at $1,238,235 in connection with the acquisitions of
       All Star Rental, Inc. and REJA, Inc. Additionally, the Company assumed
       liabilities totaling $2,733,493 and paid cash, net of cash acquired, of
       $499,200 in connection with the acquisitions (see Note 2).


9.     INCENTIVE PLANS:

              Stock Option Plan The Company has a stock option plan (the "Plan")
       for officers and employees of the Company or its affiliates, under which
       the maximum number of shares which may be granted in the aggregate is
       225,000 of the Company's Common Stock. The Plan, which became effective
       June 30, 1995, provides for the options to be granted, become
       exercisable, and terminate upon terms established by the Board of
       Directors (the "Committee"). Shares become exercisable from time to time
       (but not sooner than six months after the date of grant) over such period
       and upon such terms as the Committee may determine, but such exercise can
       not at any time be less than 25 shares unless the remaining shares that
       have become so purchasable are less than 25 shares.



                                      F-15
<PAGE>   30

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

9.     INCENTIVE PLANS, Continued:

              All options granted to the employees have an exercise price no
       less than the fair market value of the stock at grant date. The options
       vest under one of the following conditions: (i) one-third each year,
       beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant, (ii) one-half
       each year, beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant, or
       (iii) one-fourth each year, beginning on the first anniversary of the
       date of grant.

              The Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related Interpretations in
       accounting for the Plan. In 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards
       Board ("FASB") issued FASB Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
       Compensation," ("SFAS No. 123") which, if fully adopted by the Company,
       would change the methods the Company applies in recognizing the cost of
       the Plan. Adoption of the cost recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 is
       optional and the Company has decided not to elect these provisions of
       SFAS 123. However, pro forma disclosures as if the Company adopted the
       cost recognition provisions of SFAS 123 in 1995 are required by SFAS 123
       and are presented below.

              In accordance with APB 25, the Company has not recognized any
       compensation cost for the stock options granted.

              A summary of the status of the Company's stock options as of July
       31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 and the changes during the year ended on those
       dates is presented below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Stock Options
                                              1998                          1997                          1996
                                   ----------------------------  ----------------------------  ----------------------------
                                                    Weighted                      Weighted                      Weighted
                                     # Shares       Average        # Shares       Average        # Shares       Average
                                    Underlying      Exercise      Underlying      Exercise      Underlying      Exercise
                                      Options        Prices         Options        Prices         Options        Prices
                                   -------------  -------------  -------------- -------------  -------------- -------------

<S>                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Outstanding at beginning of year       184,650     $ 5.47           117,650        $ 5.00          117,650       $   --
   Granted                              27,750     $ 7.00            72,000        $ 6.19             --         $   --
   Exercised                             1,625     $ 5.00             2,250        $ 5.00             --         $   --
   Forfeited                            63,625     $ 6.22             2,750        $ 5.00             --         $   --
   Expired                                --       $   --                --           --              --         $   --
Outstanding at end of year             147,150     $ 5.53           184,650        $ 5.47          117,650       $  5.00
Exercisable at end of year              80,920     $ 5.14            52,575        $ 5.00           29,413       $  5.00
Available for grant at end of year      77,850                       40,350                        107,360
Weighted average fair value of
   options granted                                 $ 2.71                          $ 2.46                            --
</TABLE>

              The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the
       date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the
       following weighted-average assumptions: dividend yield of 0.00%;
       risk-free interest rate of 5.71% for 1998 and 6.31% for 1997; the
       expected life of options is 5 years; and a volatility of 32.37% and
       32.06% for options granted in 1998 and 1997, respectively.



                                      F-16
<PAGE>   31

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

9.     INCENTIVE PLANS, Continued:

       The following table summarizes information about employee stock options
outstanding at July 31, 1998:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Options Outstanding               Options Exercisable      
       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                       Weighted                               
                                         Weighted       Average                     Weighted  
                                          Average      Remaining                    Average   
        Range of Exercise     Number     Exercise     Contracted       Number       Exercise  
              Prices       Outstanding     Price         Life       Exercisable      Price    
       ------------------  -----------   --------     ----------    -----------    ---------  
                                                                                              
       <S>                 <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>         
       $5.00 to $6.00        117,400     $  5.20         7.31         78,420       $  5.10    
                                                                                              
       $6.50 to $7.00         29,750     $  6.83         8.24          2,500       $  6.50    
                                                                                              
       $5.00 to $7.00        147,150     $  5.53         7.70         80,920       $  5.14    
       
</TABLE>

              Pro Forma Net Income and Net Income Per Common Share Had the
       compensation cost for the Company's stock-based compensation plan been
       determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income and net
       income per common share for 1996, 1997 and 1998 would approximate the pro
       forma amounts below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Stock Options
                           --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            As Reported      Pro Forma     As Reported       Pro Forma       As Reported         Pro Forma
                              7/31/98         7/31/98         7/31/97         7/31/97          7/31/96            7/31/96
                           --------------  -------------  -------------   --------------   ---------------    ---------------

<S>                         <C>             <C>            <C>              <C>              <C>                <C>        
Net income                  $   756,117     $   731,774    $   166,060      $   152,201      $   137,662        $   137,662
Basic net income per
   common share             $      0.43     $      0.42    $      0.10      $      0.09      $      0.09        $      0.09
</TABLE>

              The effects of applying SFAS No. 123 in this pro forma disclosure
       are not indicative of future amounts. SFAS No. 123 does not apply to
       awards granted prior to the 1996 fiscal year.

              401(K) Plan The Company established a Retirement Savings Plan (the
       "Savings Plan"), effective as of September 1, 1994, which is intended to
       qualify under Section 401(K) of the Internal Revenue Code "the Code".
       Employees who have been employed with the Company for one year or more
       are eligible for participation in the Savings Plan. Employees may elect
       to reduce up to 15% of their annual compensation (subject to certain
       limitations under the Code) by having such amounts contributed to the
       Savings Plan. The Board intends to conduct a review at the end of each
       fiscal year to determine whether the Company will make any additional or
       matching contribution to the Savings Plan. As of July 31, 1998, no
       additional or matching contributions have been made to the Savings Plan
       by the Company. All assets of the Savings Plan are held in trust.



                                      F-17
<PAGE>   32

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

10.    DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

              In fiscal year 1995, the Company formed a new subsidiary, Bestway
       Auto, Inc., ("Bestway Auto") due to the Company's entry into the retail
       used car sales and finance business. The Company test marketed the
       concept through the opening of a single prototype retail sales facility
       which experienced operating losses for the first six months of fiscal
       year 1996. In December 1995, management made the decision to dispose of
       Bestway Auto's assets and in the process create a potential for a future
       opportunity in an operating used car business. On February 1, 1996 the
       Company exchanged $137,200 in cash and its capital stock in Bestway Auto
       for a 49% Common Stock interest in Value Auto, and non-voting,
       non-dividend paying Preferred Stock in Value Auto. For the period
       February 1, 1996 through July 31, 1996, Value Auto generated net losses
       amounting to approximately $136,000 and the Company's equity in such
       losses amounted to approximately $67,000. As a result of the losses
       incurred by both Bestway Auto and Value Auto and management's assessment
       of future operating results for the Company's auto sales business,
       management concluded that the Company would abandon the auto sales
       business and its investment in Value Auto would be written off.

              The operations of Bestway Auto and Value Auto have been accounted
       for as a discontinued operation and, accordingly, the Company's equity in
       their operating results and the loss on disposal are segregated and
       reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated
       Statement of Income. Summarized results of Bestway Auto and Value Auto
       are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Value Auto         Bestway Auto
                                                 February 1, 1996     August 1, 1995
                                                  July 31, 1996      February 1, 1996
                                                 ----------------    -----------------

<S>                                             <C>                  <C>
         Revenues                                   $ 3,079,689         $   207,468
         Costs and expenses                           3,239,426             351,579
                                                    -----------         -----------
         Loss before income taxes                      (159,737)           (144,111)
         Income tax benefit                              23,961              54,186
                                                    -----------         -----------
                 Net loss                           $  (135,776)        $   (89,925)
                                                    ===========         ===========
</TABLE>


11.    INVESTMENT IN PARTNERSHIP

              On October 19, 1995, the Company became a 50% limited partner in a
       newly formed partnership, Value Auto Partners, Ltd. (the "Partnership").
       The purpose of the Partnership is to engage in the financing of used
       cars. The Company accounted for its Partnership interest by the equity
       method. As of January 31, 1997, the Company had contributed $437,500 to
       the Partnership and had received distributions of approximately $14,000.
       The Company's equity in Partnership losses was $193,981 for the six
       months ended January 31, 1997. As a result of losses incurred by the
       Partnership, and based on management's assessment of the recoverability
       of the carrying amount of the investment, management concluded that the
       investment should be written off. Accordingly, during the second quarter
       the Company recorded a pretax charge of $229,579 which represented the
       remaining carrying amount of its investment in the Partnership. The
       charge resulted in a deferred tax benefit of $86,322. Subsequently, there
       has been no changes in the status of the Partnership which would impact
       the Company's decision to write off the investment.



                                      F-18
<PAGE>   33

BESTWAY, INC.                                                         FORM 10-K
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

11.    INVESTMENT IN PARTNERSHIP, Continued

              Shown below is the unaudited summarized financial information
       related to the Partnership at the time of the write-off:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
         For the period ended January 31, 1997:
            Revenues                                          $    51,905
            Costs and expenses                                    439,867
                                                              -----------
            Net loss                                          $  (387,962)
                                                              ===========
         At January 31, 1997:
            Assets                                            $ 1,516,532
                                                              ===========
            Liabilities                                         1,301,961
            Partners' capital                                     214,571
                                                              -----------
                                                              $ 1,516,532
                                                              ===========
</TABLE>


12.    CONTINGENCIES:

              The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims
       that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that
       the final outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect
       on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the
       Company.

              The Company is coordinating the identification, evaluation, and
       implementation of changes to computer systems and applications necessary
       to achieve a year 2000 date conversion with no effect on customers or
       disruption to business operations. These actions are necessary to ensure
       that the systems and applications will recognize and process the year
       2000 and beyond. The Company uses purchased software programs for a
       variety of functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, and
       fixed assets packages. As part of the year 2000 readiness process,
       significant service providers, vendors, suppliers and customers that are
       believed to be critical to business operations after January 1, 2000,
       have been identified and steps are underway in an attempt to reasonably
       ascertain their stage of year 2000 readiness. The failure to correct a
       material year 2000 problem could result in an interruption in, or a
       failure of, certain normal business activities and operations, liquidity
       and financial condition. Due to the general uncertainty inherent in the
       year 2000 problem, resulting in part from the uncertainty of the year
       2000 readiness of third party suppliers, the Company is unable to
       determine if year 2000 failures will have a material impact on the
       Company. The total cost of compliance and its effect on the Company's
       future results of operations is not expected to be material.



                                      F-19

<PAGE>   34
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Exhibit
         Number                             Document
         ------                             --------

<S>                       <C>
         21               Subsidiaries
         23               Consent of Auditors
         27               Financial Data Schedule
                                   Filed electronically only, not attached to printed reports
</TABLE>