CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORP
S-3/A, 1996-06-28
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC
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     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 28, 1996
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-05935
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                              -------------------
 
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                              -------------------
 
                       CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                            <C>
          DELAWARE                                                     54-1662135
(State or other jurisdiction                                        (I.R.S. Employer
             of                                                    Identification No.)
      incorporation or
        organization)
</TABLE>
 
                              -------------------
 
                             4401 FAIR LAKES COURT
                            FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA 22033
                                 (703) 968-8500
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                              FRANCES ANN ZIEMNIAK
                       CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
                             4401 FAIR LAKES COURT
                            FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA 22033
                                 (703) 968-8500
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                              -------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
            CHRISTOPHER G. KARRAS                            KIRK A. DAVENPORT
           DECHERT PRICE & RHOADS                            LATHAM & WATKINS
          4000 BELL ATLANTIC TOWER                           885 THIRD AVENUE
              1717 ARCH STREET                           NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19103-2793                     (212) 906-1200
               (215) 994-4000
</TABLE>
 
                              -------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
 
   As soon as practicable on or after the effective date of this Registration
                                   Statement.
 
                              -------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                       CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
 
                              -------------------
 
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                     PURSUANT TO ITEM 501 OF REGULATION S-K
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       FORM S-3 ITEM AND CAPTION                     LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
       ---------------------------------------------------------  -----------------------------
<S>    <C>                                                        <C>
1.     Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside Front
       Cover Page of Prospectus.................................  Cover Page of Prospectus
2.     Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of               Inside Front and Outside Back
       Prospectus...............................................    Cover Pages of Prospectus
3.     Risk Factors.............................................  Risk Factors
4.     Use of Proceeds..........................................  Use of Proceeds
5.     Determination of Offering Price..........................  Not Applicable
6.     Dilution.................................................  Not Applicable
7.     Selling Security Holders.................................  Not Applicable
8.     Plan of Distribution.....................................  Underwriting
9.     Description of Securities to be Registered...............  Not Applicable
10.    Interests of Named Experts and Counsel...................  Legal Matters; Experts
11.    Material Changes.........................................  Prospectus Summary; Unaudited
                                                                    Pro Forma Selected
                                                                    Condensed Consolidated
                                                                    Financial Data; Business
12.    Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference........  Incorporation of Certain
                                                                    Documents by Reference
13.    Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification for
       Securities Act Liabilities...............................  Not Applicable
</TABLE>



<PAGE>


   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 28, 1996
    
 
PROSPECTUS
                                1,700,000 SHARES
                                      LOGO
                       CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
                                  COMMON STOCK
                                 --------------
 
   All of the shares of Common Stock (the "Common Stock") offered hereby are
being issued and sold by CORT Business Services Corporation ("CORT" or the
"Company") through the several Underwriters named herein (the "Offering").
 
   
   The Common Stock is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the
symbol "CBS." On June 21, 1996, the last reported sales price of the Common
Stock on the NYSE was $19.00 per share. See "Price Range of Common Stock and
Dividend Policy."
    
 
   SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 8 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD
BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.
 
                                 --------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
      PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
       REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>               <C>                   <C>
                                                            UNDERWRITING              PROCEEDS
                                          PRICE TO         DISCOUNTS AND               TO THE
                                         THE PUBLIC        COMMISSIONS(1)            COMPANY(2)
Per Share                                     $                  $                       $
Total(3)                                      $                  $                       $
</TABLE>
 
  (1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
      liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
      amended (the "Securities Act"). See "Underwriting."
  (2) Before deducting expenses of the Offering payable by the Company
      estimated at $    .
  (3) The Company has granted the Underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up
      to 255,000 additional shares of Common Stock on the same terms as set
      forth above solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If the Underwriters
      exercise such option in full, the total Price to the Public,
      Underwriting Discounts and Commissions and Proceeds to the Company will
      be $    , $    and $    , respectively. See "Underwriting."
 
                                 --------------
 
   The shares of Common Stock are being offered by the several Underwriters
named herein, subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted by the
Underwriters and subject to certain conditions. It is expected that certificates
for the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be available for delivery on
or about       , 1996 at the offices of Smith Barney Inc., 333 West 34th Street,
New York, New York 10001.
 
                                 --------------
 
SMITH BARNEY INC.               MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
 
       , 1996


Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any State.
<PAGE>
                                     [LOGO]
 
    CORT is the nation's largest "rent-to-rent" furniture rental company. The
Company operates under the names CORT Furniture Rental and General Furniture
Leasing in 104 rental showrooms, 65 furniture clearance centers and 57
distribution centers in 29 states and the District of Columbia, as shown in the
shaded areas on the map below.
 
                                 [MAP ARTWORK]
 
    IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK
OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
   
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information (including the consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto) appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus or incorporated herein by
reference. Unless otherwise indicated, (i) all references in this Prospectus to
the Company shall mean the Company and its subsidiary, CORT Furniture Rental
Corporation ("CFR"), and CFR's subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, and (ii)
the information in this Prospectus assumes that the Underwriters' over-allotment
option will not be exercised.
    
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
OVERVIEW
 
   
    CORT Business Services Corporation ("CORT" or the "Company"), through its
wholly-owned subsidiary CORT Furniture Rental Corporation, is the leading
national provider of rental furniture, accessories and related services in the
growing and fragmented "rent-to-rent" segment of the furniture rental industry.
The "rent-to-rent" segment, which differs from the "rent-to-own" segment by
serving customers who typically do not seek ownership of the rented merchandise,
serves both corporate and individual customers who desire flexibility to meet
their temporary and transitional needs. The Company focuses on corporate
customers by offering office and residential furniture and related accessories
through a direct sales force of approximately 580 salespeople and a network of
104 showrooms in 29 states and the District of Columbia. The Company believes
that approximately 80% of its rental revenue is derived from its corporate
customers, while the remainder is derived principally from rentals to middle- 
and upper-income level individuals. Management believes that the Company's focus
on corporate and upper-income individual customers allows it to maintain a
high-quality lease portfolio, which contributes to generally higher operating
margins than those of its competitors. The Company maintains the showroom
quality condition of its merchandise available for rent by selling its
previously rented merchandise through a network of 65 company-operated clearance
centers, thereby enabling the Company to regularly update its inventory with new
styles and new merchandise. Sales of furniture through clearance centers, at
prices which for the last five years have averaged 110% of the furniture's
original cost, allow the Company to maximize the residual value of its rental
merchandise. Furniture sales through clearance centers and other sales accounted
for approximately 21% of the Company's total 1995 revenue.
    
 
    As the industry leader and the only "rent-to-rent" furniture rental company
with a national presence, CORT is well-positioned to take advantage of growing
demand for furniture rental services. This demand is believed to be driven by
continued growth in management and professional employment, the increasing
importance to American business of flexibility and outsourcing and the impact of
a more mobile and transitory population. Corporate customers generally enter
into leases for office furniture to meet seasonal, temporary or start-up needs.
Corporate customers also lease residential furniture in order to provide
furnishings for their employees who have been relocated or are on temporary
assignment or, in the case of operators of apartment communities, in order to
provide furnished apartments. The Company's corporate customers include Fortune
500 companies, small businesses and professionals, and owners and operators of
apartment communities.
 
    According to industry estimates, revenues of the "rent-to-rent" furniture
rental industry in 1994 were in excess of $650 million. A significant portion of
these revenues is generated by single-location and small regional businesses
which present attractive consolidation opportunities for the larger "rent-
to-rent" furniture rental companies such as CORT. Management believes that CORT
is well-positioned to continue capitalizing on the consolidation trend in the
"rent-to-rent" furniture rental industry due to its national presence, leading
market share and financial capacity.
 
    The Company's total revenue increased 19.0% on an annual basis, from $106.5
million in 1992 to $179.3 million in 1995, as the result of the Company's 1993
acquisition of a significant competitor, General Furniture Leasing Company
("General Furniture"), small lease portfolio acquisitions and new showroom
openings, as well as growth in existing operations. Operating earnings increased
25.5% on an
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
annual basis from $13.5 million in 1992, excluding non-recurring charges of
$10.0 million, to $26.7 million in 1995. Total revenue and operating earnings
were $48.8 million and $7.2 million, respectively, in the first three months of
1996, representing an increase of 10.5% in revenue and 14.7% in operating
earnings as compared to the same period in 1995.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    Management believes that CORT's size, national presence, consistently
high-level customer service, product quality and broad product selection, depth
of management and efficient clearance centers have been key contributors to the
Company's success. The Company's objective is to build on these fundamentals and
increase further its revenue and operating earnings and expand its margins by
continuing to pursue its growth strategy. The key components of this strategy
are (i) making selective acquisitions; (ii) initiating operations in new markets
and adding showrooms in existing markets utilizing the CORT Furniture Rental and
General Furniture Leasing operating formats; (iii) expanding its corporate
customer base with an emphasis on the rental of high-margin office furniture
products; and (iv) continuing to invest in the development of new products and
services.
 
   
    Acquisitions. The primary focus of the Company's growth strategy has been
and will continue to be the selective acquisition of small lease portfolios and
regional companies in new and existing markets. Since the beginning of 1992, the
Company has completed 13 small lease portfolio acquisitions. The Company is
currently negotiating a portfolio acquisition in a new market. In addition, the
Company has acquired two larger regional companies: General Furniture in
September 1993, which had total revenues of approximately $41.5 million for
fiscal year 1992, and Evans Rents in April 1996, which had total revenues of
approximately $30.5 million for fiscal year 1995. The acquisition of General
Furniture provided CORT with immediate access to new market areas, additional
critical mass in CORT's existing markets and an alternative operating strategy
targeted at a different segment of the "rent-to-rent" furniture market. Evans
Rents provides CORT with additional critical mass in the greater Los Angeles and
San Francisco areas, increases the percentage of rental revenue derived from the
rental of higher-margin office furniture products and contributes additional
expertise in the supply of furniture for conventions.
    
 
    New Markets and Additional Showrooms. The Company continues to expand the
number of showrooms within its existing markets as well as initiate new
operations, including showrooms, distribution facilities and clearance centers, 
in strategically identified geographic locations where it currently does not 
conduct business and where attractive acquisition opportunities do not exist. 
By increasing the number of showrooms associated with existing distribution 
facilities and clearance centers, the Company is able to distribute its real 
estate, personnel and other fixed costs over a larger revenue base. Since the 
beginning of 1995, CORT has begun operations in four new metropolitan markets.
 
    The Company operates under the CORT Furniture Rental and General Furniture
Leasing tradenames. Furniture showrooms operated under the General Furniture
Leasing tradename are typically targeted at smaller markets and offer lower
price-point furniture rentals. The different formats and cost structures of the
CORT Furniture Rental and General Furniture Leasing operations provide the
Company with the capability to maximize expansion opportunities in markets of
various sizes.
 
    Expanded Corporate Customer Base. The Company seeks to increase its
corporate customer base in order to capitalize on the longer lease terms, higher
average lease amounts and multiple lease transactions associated with corporate
customers. In addition, corporate customers more frequently enter into
higher-margin office furniture leases. The Company intends to grow revenue by
increasing its corporate customer base through expanded emphasis on national
accounts, further development of sales personnel with business-to-business sales
experience and continued advertising.
 
    New Product and Service Development. The Company continues to invest in the
development of new products and services. Products and services currently under
development include the rental of houseware amenity packages, interior design
services and furniture for model homes and the supply of
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
furniture for conventions. Management believes that the gradual introduction of
new products and services allows the Company to experiment with such products
and services at a relatively low initial cost.
 
ACQUISITION OF EVANS RENTS
 
    In April 1996, the Company acquired Evans Rents, a "rent-to-rent" furniture
rental company located exclusively in California, for a purchase price of
approximately $27 million. Prior to the acquisition, Evans Rents operated 17
showrooms located primarily in the greater Los Angeles and San Francisco areas.
Management believes that Evans Rents, using an operating format similar to that
of CORT Furniture Rental, derives its rental revenue from a comparable customer
base, while generating a higher percentage of revenue from rentals of office
furniture products. Evans Rents' total 1995 revenues were approximately $30.5
million.
 
    As the Company integrates Evans Rents into its West Coast region, operating
margins are expected to benefit from the Company's ability to better leverage
its fixed costs and infrastructure over a larger revenue base. The Company
expects to reduce operating expenses by closing 12 duplicate showrooms.
 
                              -------------------
 
    CORT Business Services Corporation was incorporated in Delaware on March 29,
1993. The Company is a holding company with no independent operations and no
material assets other than its ownership of all of the outstanding capital stock
of CFR. The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 4401 Fair
Lakes Court, Fairfax, Virginia 22033, and the Company's telephone number is
(703) 968-8500.
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                            <C>
Common Stock offered hereby..................  1,700,000 shares
 
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
Offering(1)..................................  12,325,530 shares
 
Use of Proceeds..............................  To repay indebtedness under the Credit
                                               Facility. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
New York Stock Exchange symbol...............  CBS
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) At May 31, 1996. Does not include 1,119,210 shares of Common Stock issuable
    upon exercise of employee and director stock options granted by the Company,
    138,994 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company's
    employee and director stock option plans, and 242,219 shares of Common Stock
    reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding warrants issued by the
    Company.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                      SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                         MARCH 31,
                                     ------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------
                                                                               PRO                            PRO
                                     COMBINED(1)         THE COMPANY         FORMA(2)      THE COMPANY      FORMA(2)
                                     -----------   -----------------------   --------   -----------------   --------
                                        1993          1994         1995        1995      1995      1996       1996
                                     -----------   ----------   ----------   --------   -------   -------   --------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
 Furniture rental revenue..........   $ 100,499     $130,026     $141,988    $170,679   $33,815   $38,555   $ 45,980
 Furniture sales revenue...........      28,074       34,534       37,321      39,135    10,316    10,214     10,671
                                     -----------   ----------   ----------   --------   -------   -------   --------
       Total revenue...............     128,573      164,560      179,309     209,814    44,131    48,769     56,651
 Furniture rental gross profit.....      80,769      104,255      114,038     136,930    27,328    31,117     37,197
 Furniture sales gross profit......      11,264       13,885       15,118      15,543     4,113     4,276      4,421
                                     -----------   ----------   ----------   --------   -------   -------   --------
       Total gross profit..........      92,033      118,140      129,156     152,473    31,441    35,393     41,618
 Selling, general and
   administrative expenses(3)......      75,769       95,526      102,435     121,747    25,189    28,221     33,159
                                     -----------   ----------   ----------   --------   -------   -------   --------
 Operating earnings................      16,264       22,614       26,721      30,726     6,252     7,172      8,459
 Interest expense..................       9,820       16,246       15,917       7,079     4,145     1,781      1,781
                                     -----------   ----------   ----------   --------   -------   -------   --------
 Income before taxes...............       6,444        6,368       10,804      23,647     2,107     5,391      6,678
 Income before extraordinary
loss...............................       4,289        3,546        6,218      13,790     1,195     3,160      3,899
 Extraordinary loss from early
   retirement of debt(4)...........      --           --            4,143       --        --        --         --
 Net income........................       4,289        3,546        2,075      13,790     1,195     3,160      3,899
 
PER SHARE DATA:
 Earnings per share................                                          $   1.05                       $   0.29
 Weighted average number of shares
   used in computation.............                                            13,183                         13,331
 
OTHER DATA:
 Number of leases at end of
period.............................      48,771       48,747       51,118      56,332    50,913    55,020     60,469
 Number of leases per showroom at
   end of period...................         493          519          538         563       542       573        599
 Number of showrooms at end of
period(5)..........................          99           94           95         100        94        96        101
 Aggregate monthly base rent at end
   of period(6)....................   $   9,167     $  9,696     $ 10,949    $ 12,945   $10,423   $11,875   $ 14,006
 Clearance center furniture sales
   cost recovery(7)................       112.1%       110.5%       110.0%      110.0%    110.5%    110.1%     110.1%
</TABLE>
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                AS OF
                                                                            MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                --------------------------------------
                                                                                                PRO
                                                                 ACTUAL     AS ADJUSTED(8)    FORMA(2)
                                                                --------    --------------    --------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>               <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Total assets................................................   $181,651       $215,046       $215,046
 Total debt..................................................     58,653         86,980         57,037
 Stockholders' equity........................................     78,581         78,581        108,524
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
(1) For the year ended December 31, 1993, represents CFR information for the
    three months ended March 31, 1993 combined with information of the Company
    for the nine months ended December 31, 1993. Includes the results of
    operations of General Furniture Leasing for the four months ended December
    31, 1993. The September 1, 1993 acquisition of General Furniture was
    accounted for as a purchase business combination. Revenue of General
    Furniture Leasing for the four months ended December 31, 1993 was
    $13,438,000.
 
   
(2) For the year ended December 31, 1995, reflects the Offering (assuming a
    public offering price of $19.00 per share), the acquisition of Evans Rents,
    the IPO, the Exchange for Common Stock, the Senior Notes Retirement and
    borrowings under the Company's bank credit facility. As of March 31, 1996
    and for the three months then ended, reflects the Offering and the
    acquisition of Evans Rents. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
    Financial Data."
    
 
                                         (Footnotes continued on following page)
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
(Footnotes continued from preceding page)
(3) Selling, general and administrative expenses include employee, delivery and
    advertising expenses, occupancy, utilities and nonrental depreciation
    expenses, other operating expenses and amortization of goodwill.
 
(4) For the year ended December 31, 1995, the extraordinary loss relates to the
    early retirement of $50,000,000 principal amount of CFR's 12% Senior Notes.
 
   
(5) Data for the pro forma periods exclude 12 duplicate showrooms which are
    expected to be closed as a result of the acquisition of Evans Rents.
    
 
   
(6) The aggregate monthly base rent at the end of the period represents the
    aggregate monthly rental payments due under outstanding furniture leases,
    excluding fees and one-time charges.
    
 
   
(7) Clearance center furniture sales cost recovery represents the aggregate
    proceeds from the sale of rental furniture through clearance centers as a
    percentage of the aggregate original cost of the furniture sold.
    
 
   
(8) Reflects the acquisition of Evans Rents as if it occurred on March 31, 1996.
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
   
    Prospective purchasers of the Common Stock offered hereby should consider
carefully the specific risk factors set forth below as well as the other
information set forth elsewhere and incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus. Certain information set forth elsewhere or incorporated by reference
herein contains forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking
statements include the benefits expected to result from the integration of Evans
Rents into CORT's West Coast region including improvements in operating margins
and leveraging of the Company's fixed costs and infrastructure over a larger
revenue base. Certain factors discussed herein could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
    
 
POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL TAX PAYMENTS
 
    The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has examined the federal income tax
returns of CFR for the years 1989 through June 30, 1992 and has proposed certain
adjustments to CFR's taxable income, relating primarily to methods of
depreciation, period of cost recovery and certain capitalized financing fees.
The Company has agreed in principle with the IRS appeals officer handling the
administrative appeal of the examination as to a settlement of the proposed
adjustments. The settlement agreed to in principle will not result in any
additional financial statement tax expenses, as the Company's reserves are
adequate to cover such expenses, and will not require the Company to alter its
methods of depreciation or cost recovery period. The Company will be required to
make a payment to the IRS and certain state jurisdictions for income and
franchise purposes. The total amount of the proposed settlement is approximately
$3 million (including interest through March 31, 1996) of which the Company made
an initial deposit of approximately $925,000 in February 1996. This agreement is
only an agreement in principle, however, and is subject to final IRS approval. A
final settlement will become effective only upon approval by the appropriate IRS
personnel and execution of definitive settlement documentation. See Note 6 of
CORT's Consolidated Financial Statements and Note 2 of CORT's Unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
    The IRS has also proposed the disallowance of certain deductions taken by
Fairwood Corporation for a consolidated tax group of which CFR was previously a
member ("Former Group") through the year ended December 31, 1988. The IRS
challenge includes the assertion that certain interest deductions taken by the
Former Group should be recharacterized as non-deductible dividend distributions
and that deductions for certain expenses related to the acquisition of
Consolidated Furniture Corporation (formerly known as Mohasco Corporation),
CFR's former shareholder, be disallowed. Under IRS regulations, the Company and
each other member of the Former Group is severally liable for the full amount of
any federal income tax liability of the Former Group while CFR was a member of
the Former Group, which could be as much as approximately $29 million for such
periods (including interest through March 31, 1996). Under the agreement of sale
for CFR, Consolidated Furniture Corporation agreed to indemnify CFR in full for
any consolidated tax liability of the Former Group for the years during which
CFR was a member of the Former Group. In addition, the Company may have rights
of contribution against other members of the Former Group if the Company were
required to pay more than its equitable share of any consolidated tax liability.
Although Fairwood Corporation has stated that it believes the IRS's position
with respect to those proposed disallowances is unjustified and is contesting
the matter vigorously, neither the Company nor Fairwood Corporation can predict
a successful resolution to the IRS examination. No assurance can be given that,
if Consolidated Furniture Corporation becomes liable for federal income tax as a
result of the examination, and if the IRS were to collect any resulting tax
directly from CFR, that CFR would be able to recover all or part of the
deficiency from Consolidated Furniture Corporation under its indemnity or from
other members of the Former Group under rights of contribution. No reserves are
included in the Company's financial statements with respect to potential tax
liabilities of the Former Group. There can be no assurance, however, that the
Company's ultimate liability with respect to periods during which CFR was a
member
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
of the Former Group will not be material. See Note 6 of CORT's Consolidated
Financial Statements and Note 2 of CORT's Unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.
 
GROWTH THROUGH ACQUISITIONS
 
    To expand its markets and take advantage of the consolidation trend in the
"rent-to-rent" furniture rental industry, the Company's business strategy
includes growth through acquisitions. Although the Company believes that the
operations of General Furniture, which was acquired by CORT in 1993, have been
successfully integrated with CORT's operations and that the operations of Evans
Rents, which was acquired by CORT in April 1996, will be integrated into CORT's
operations successfully, there can be no assurance that additional suitable
acquisition candidates will be identified, that acquisitions can be consummated
on acceptable terms or that any acquired companies can be successfully
integrated into the Company's operations. The Company is currently negotiating a
portfolio acquisition, but has no commitments, understandings or arrangements
with respect to any specific acquisitions. The Company may use Common Stock for
all or a portion of the consideration to be paid in future acquisitions, which
could result in dilution to the purchasers of the Common Stock offered hereby.
The Company's ability to make future acquisitions may also be constrained by the
terms of its outstanding debt. See "Business--Business Strategy."
 
EFFECTIVE CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER
 
    Upon completion of the Offering, Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd. ("CVC") will
continue to own beneficially approximately 47% of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock. Accordingly, CVC together with certain directors and officers of
the Company will have sufficient voting power to control the outcome of matters
(including the election of directors, and any merger, consolidation or sale of
all or substantially all of the Company's assets) submitted to the stockholders
for approval and may be deemed to have effective control over the affairs and
management of the Company. This controlling interest in the Company could have
the effect of making certain transactions more difficult or impossible, absent
the support of CVC. See "Principal Stockholders."
 
DOWNTURN IN GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
 
    The Company believes that the furniture rental industry is significantly
influenced by economic conditions generally and particularly by levels of job
creation, relocations of employees and general business activity. There can be
no assurance that a prolonged economic downturn would not have a material
adverse effect on the Company. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Inflation and General Economic
Conditions."
 
COMPETITION
 
    The "rent-to-rent" furniture rental business is competitive and the Company
competes against a number of other companies, including local and regional
furniture rental businesses. With regard to the sale of furniture through its
clearance centers, the Company competes with both used and new office and
residential furniture retailers. Some of the Company's competitors may be in a
stronger financial position than the Company. See "Business--Competition."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
    The success of the Company depends to a significant degree on the efforts of
the Company's senior management. The Company's operations may be adversely
affected if one or more members of senior management cease to be active in the
Company. See "Management" and "Principal Stockholders."
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
LEVERAGE
 
    Following the Offering, the Company will continue to have indebtedness that
is substantial in relation to its total capitalization. At March 31, 1996, on a
pro forma basis the ratio of the Company's debt to equity was 0.5 to 1.0. If the
Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the
future, it may be required to refinance all or a portion of its existing debt or
to obtain additional financing. There can be no assurance that any such
refinancing would be possible or that any additional financing could be obtained
on terms that are favorable or acceptable to the Company. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
    The market price of the Company's Common Stock, which is quoted on the New
York Stock Exchange, may be subject to significant fluctuations in response to
operating results, announcements by competitors and other factors. In addition,
the stock market in recent years has experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating
performance of individual companies. These market fluctuations may adversely
affect the market price of the Common Stock.
 
DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    The Company intends to retain its earnings, if any, for use in its
operations. In addition, the terms of CFR's outstanding indebtedness restrict
its ability to advance funds and issue dividends to the Company. The Company
does not expect to pay dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future.
See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy" and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE AS OF MAY 31, 1996; REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
    Upon consummation of this Offering, the Company will have 12,325,530 shares
of Common Stock outstanding. The shares sold in this Offering will be freely
tradeable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act,
unless acquired by an "affiliate" of the Company (defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, generally, as a person who, by virtue of equity ownership or
otherwise, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the
Company). The Company and its directors and executive officers and CVC (who in
the aggregate hold 6,322,547 outstanding shares of Common Stock) have agreed,
except as described below, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise
dispose in a public sale, public distribution or other public disposition, any
shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Common Stock, other than the shares subject to the
Underwriters' over-allotment option, without the prior written consent of Smith
Barney Inc., for a period of 90 days after the date of this Prospectus (the
"Lock-up Agreements"). The Underwriters have agreed that Messrs. Arnold, Egan
and Jobes may sell up to 20,000, 22,000 and 15,000 shares, respectively, after
15 days following the date of the Prospectus. The Company has granted certain
registration rights with respect to the Common Stock held by CVC and certain
stockholders of the Company who in the aggregate hold 6,425,416 shares of Common
Stock. After the Offering, if the Company proposes to register any additional
shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act, such stockholders will be
entitled, subject to the Lock-up Agreements and certain other conditions, to
include all or a portion of their shares in such registration. In addition, CVC,
which will hold in the aggregate 5,778,518 shares of Common Stock after the
Offering, has the right, subject to its Lock-up Agreement and certain other
conditions, to require the registration of all or a portion of its shares. No
predictions can be made as to the effect, if any, that market sales of shares or
the availability of such shares for future sale will have on the market price of
shares of Common Stock prevailing from time to time. The prevailing market price
of the Common Stock after the Offering could be adversely affected by future
sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock by existing stockholders or the
perception that such sales may occur. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale,"
"Principal Stockholders" and "Underwriting."
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
    The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 1,700,000 shares of
Common Stock offered hereby, after deducting underwriting discounts and
commissions and other fees, will be approximately $29.9 million at a public
offering price of $19.00 per share (approximately $34.5 million if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full).
    
 
   
    The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to repay
indebtedness under its bank credit facility (the "Credit Facility"). As of May
31, 1996, $38.1 million was outstanding under the Credit Facility, $27.7 million
of which was incurred to acquire Evans Rents and $4.8 million of which was used
to redeem a portion of CFR's 12% Senior Notes due 2000. Borrowings under the
Credit Facility mature on November 21, 1998 and bear interest at a fluctuating
rate based on, at the Company's option, either the lead lender's base rate or
the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR). The average interest rate on borrowings
under the Credit Facility at May 31, 1996 was 7.09%. In May 1996, the Company
amended the Credit Facility to increase its borrowing capacity from $50 million
to $70 million. The Company uses borrowings under the Credit Facility to meet
acquisition and expansion needs as well as seasonal working capital and general
corporate requirements.
    
 
                PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    The Common Stock commenced trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market on November
17, 1995. Prior to that date there was no established public trading market for
the Common Stock. The Company delisted the Common Stock from the Nasdaq Stock
Market on December 20, 1995, and the Common Stock commenced trading on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CBS" on December 21, 1995. The following
table sets forth, for the period indicated, the high and low sales prices of the
Common Stock as reported on such exchanges.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   HIGH              LOW
                                                                               -------------    -------------
<S>                                                                            <C>              <C>
Year ended December 31, 1995
  Fourth Quarter (November 17 through December 31)..........................   $      17 3/4    $      13 1/4
 
Year ended December 31, 1996
  First Quarter.............................................................   $      19 5/8    $          15
  Second Quarter (through June 21, 1996)....................................   $          19    $          17
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    The last reported sale price for the Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange on June 21, 1996 was $19.00. As of May 31, 1996, the Company had
approximately 325 holders of record of its Common Stock.
    
 
    The Company has not paid any dividends on its Common Stock to date. The
payment of dividends, if any, in the future is within the discretion of the
Board of Directors and will depend on the Company's earnings, its capital
requirements and financial condition. It is the present intention of the Board
of Directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in the Company's business
operations and, accordingly, the Board of Directors does not expect to declare
or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, as a holding
company, the Company's ability to pay dividends is dependent on the receipt of
dividends or advances from CFR. CFR's debt obligations restrict its ability to
make advances and pay dividends to the Company.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the
Company as of March 31, 1996, as adjusted to give effect to the acquisition of
Evans Rents and pro forma to give effect to the Offering, as described under
"Use of Proceeds" and "Business--Acquisition of Evans Rents."
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    AS OF MARCH 31, 1996
                                                          -----------------------------------------
                                                          HISTORICAL    AS ADJUSTED(1)    PRO FORMA
                                                          ----------    --------------    ---------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>               <C>
DEBT:
 
  Credit Facility and other (2)........................    $   8,653       $ 36,980       $   7,037
  Senior Notes.........................................       50,000         50,000          50,000
                                                          ----------    --------------    ---------
 
      Total debt.......................................       58,653         86,980          57,037
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 
  Common Stock, voting, par value $.01 per share;
    15,500,000 authorized, 10,431,504 issued and
    outstanding; and 12,131,504 issued and outstanding,
pro forma (3)..........................................          104            104             121
  Common Stock, Class B, nonvoting, par value $.01 per
    share; 15,500,000 authorized; none issued and
outstanding............................................       --            --               --
  Additional paid-in capital...........................       67,383         67,383          97,309
  Accumulated earnings.................................       11,094         11,094          11,094
                                                          ----------    --------------    ---------
 
      Total stockholders' equity.......................       78,581         78,581         108,524
                                                          ----------    --------------    ---------
 
      Total capitalization.............................    $ 137,234       $165,561       $ 165,561
                                                          ----------    --------------    ---------
                                                          ----------    --------------    ---------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Reflects the acquisition of Evans Rents as if it occurred on March 31, 1996.
 
(2) As Adjusted and Pro Forma include $602,000 of Evans Rents' debt assumed by
    the Company.
 
(3) Does not include 1,088,356 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of
    employee and director stock options granted by the Company, 171,994 shares
    of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company's employee and
    director stock option plans, and 434,101 shares of Common Stock that are
    reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding warrants issued by the
    Company.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
                         UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
                          CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial data
consists of Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
for the year ended December 31, 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996,
and an Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31,
1996 (collectively, the "Pro Forma Statements"). The Unaudited Pro Forma
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations give effect to the initial
public offering (the "IPO") of the Common Stock of CORT completed in November
1995, the exchange of all of the Company's 14.5% Subordinated Debentures, the
Company's 15% Junior Subordinated Debentures and CFR's 14% Senior Subordinated
Pay-In-Kind Notes for shares of the Company's Common Stock in the fourth quarter
of 1995 (the "Exchange for Common Stock"), the retirement of $50 million in
aggregate principal amount of CFR's 12% Senior Notes due 2000, which was
effected contemporaneously with the IPO (the "Senior Notes Retirement"), initial
borrowings under the Credit Facility entered into contemporaneously with the
IPO, the Company's acquisition of Evans Rents in April 1996 and the Offering as
if they occurred on January 1, 1995. The Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheet gives effect to the acquisition of Evans Rents and
the Offering as if such events occurred on March 31, 1996. The IPO, the Exchange
for Common Stock, the Senior Notes Retirement and the initial borrowings under
the Credit Facility were effected before December 31, 1995 and have been
reflected in the Company's historical unaudited condensed consolidated balance
sheet as of March 31, 1996.
 
    Management believes that, on the basis set forth herein, the Pro Forma
Statements reflect a reasonable estimate of these transactions based on
currently available information. The pro forma financial data are presented for
informational purposes only and do not purport to represent what the Company's
financial position or actual results of operations would have been had these
transactions in fact occurred on the dates assumed or that may result from
future operations. The Pro Forma Statements should be read in conjunction with
the consolidated financial statements and related notes of the Company appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
                       CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                       THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNT)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              HISTORICAL                   ADJUSTMENTS
                                      --------------------------    -------------------------        PRO
                                      THE COMPANY    EVANS RENTS    ACQUISITION      OFFERING       FORMA
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------      --------      -------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>
Revenue:
  Furniture rental.................     $38,555        $ 7,425         --              --          $45,980
  Furniture sales..................      10,214            457         --              --           10,671
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------      --------      -------
      Total revenue................      48,769          7,882         --              --           56,651
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------      --------      -------
 
Operating costs and expenses:
  Cost of furniture rental.........       7,438          3,103        $   (22)(1)      --
                                                                       (1,736)(2)      --            8,783
  Cost of furniture sales..........       5,938            312         --              --            6,250
  Amortization of goodwill.........         165         --                 83(3)       --              248
  Selling, general and
    administrative expenses........      28,056          3,267           (148)(4)
                                                                        1,736(2)       --           32,911
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------      --------      -------
      Total costs and expenses.....      41,597          6,682            (87)         --           48,192
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------      --------      -------
 
      Operating income.............       7,172          1,200             87          --            8,459
 
Interest expense...................       1,781            830            503(5)
                                                                         (790)(6)     $ (543)(7)     1,781
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------      --------      -------
Income before income taxes.........       5,391            370            374            543         6,678
Income taxes.......................       2,231             48            100(8)
                                                                          183(9)         217(9)      2,779
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------      --------      -------
      Net income...................     $ 3,160        $   322        $    91         $  326       $ 3,899
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------      --------      -------
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------      --------      -------
 
Earnings per share.................                                                                $  0.29
Weighted average number of shares
used in computation................                                                                 13,331
</TABLE>
    
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
                       CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
       UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNT)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            HISTORICAL                   ADJUSTMENTS
                                    --------------------------    --------------------------        PRO
                                    THE COMPANY    EVANS RENTS    ACQUISITION      OFFERINGS       FORMA
                                    -----------    -----------    -----------      ---------      --------
<S>                                 <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>
Revenue:
  Furniture rental...............    $ 141,988       $28,691         --               --          $170,679
  Furniture sales................       37,321         1,814         --               --            39,135
                                    -----------    -----------    -----------      ---------      --------
      Total revenue..............      179,309        30,505         --               --           209,814
                                    -----------    -----------    -----------      ---------      --------
 
Operating costs and expenses:
  Cost of furniture rental.......       27,950        12,865        $   (89)(1)
                                                                     (6,977)(2)       --            33,749
  Cost of furniture sales........       22,203         1,389         --               --            23,592
  Amortization of goodwill.......          662        --                333(3)        --               995
  Selling, general and
    administrative expenses......      101,773        12,864           (862)(4)
                                                                      6,977(2)        --           120,752
                                    -----------    -----------    -----------      ---------      --------
      Total costs and expenses...      152,588        27,118           (618)          --           179,088
                                    -----------    -----------    -----------      ---------      --------
 
      Operating income...........       26,721         3,387            618           --            30,726
 
Interest expense, net............       15,917         3,653          2,010(5)      $ (2,171)(7)
                                                                     (3,478)(6)       (8,852)(10)    7,079
                                    -----------    -----------    -----------      ---------      --------
Income (loss) before income
taxes............................       10,804          (266)         2,086           11,023        23,647
Income taxes (benefit)...........        4,586           104           (210)(8)
                                                                        968(9)         4,409(9)      9,857
                                    -----------    -----------    -----------      ---------      --------
      Net income (loss)(11)......    $   6,218       $  (370)       $ 1,328         $  6,614      $ 13,790
                                    -----------    -----------    -----------      ---------      --------
                                    -----------    -----------    -----------      ---------      --------
 
Earnings per share...............                                                                 $   1.05
Weighted average number of shares
used in computation..............                                                                   13,183
</TABLE>
    
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
 (1) Adjusts Evans Rents' historical depreciation expense on rental property to
     conform to the Company's depreciation policy after giving effect to the
     write-down of Evans Rents' rental property to fair market value. See Note
     (1) to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 
 (2) Reclassifies certain of Evans Rents' cost of furniture rental as selling,
     general and administrative expenses to conform to the Company's
     presentation policies.
 
 (3) Recognizes the amortization expense of goodwill resulting from the
     acquisition of Evans Rents over a 40-year period.
 
 (4) Eliminates compensation expense associated with certain management
     employees of Evans Rents who ceased employment following the acquisition
     and will not be replaced.
 
 (5) Reflects increased interest expense related to borrowings under the Credit
     Facility of $27,725,000, assumed to bear interest at approximately 7.25%
     (LIBOR + 175 basis points), in connection with the acquisition of Evans
     Rents.
 
An interest rate increase of 1/8% would increase pro forma interest expense on
the Credit Facility by an aggregate of $9,000 and $35,000 for the three months
    ended March 31, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1995, respectively.
    This increase in interest expense would decrease pro forma income before
    taxes by the same amount. There would be no impact on earnings per share.
 
 (6) Eliminates interest expense associated with the debt of Evans Rents
     outstanding prior to the acquisition, excluding certain debt associated
     with Evans Rents' delivery trucks which was assumed by the Company.
 
 (7) Reflects the reduction of interest expense resulting from the repayment of
     debt with the net proceeds of the Offering.
 
 (8) Adjusts Evans Rents' historical income taxes to reflect an assumed tax rate
     of 40%. Prior to the acquisition, Evans Rents was subject only to
     alternative minimum tax due to substantial net operating losses. The
     utilization of such net operating losses by the Company will be limited.
 
 (9) Recognizes the combined federal and state income tax effect of the net
     increase in income before income taxes, at an assumed combined tax rate of
     40%.
 
(10) Reflects the reduction of historical interest expense relating to the
     Exchange for Common Stock and the Senior Notes Retirement both of which
     occurred contemporaneously with the IPO. In addition, reflects the interest
     expense related to the assumed average borrowings of $3,800,000 under the
     Credit Facility assumed to bear interest at approximately 7.25% (LIBOR +
     175 basis points), the elimination of amortization of deferred financing
     fees associated with the Senior Notes Retirement and the additional
     amortization of deferred financing fees relating to the Credit Facility.
 
     An interest rate increase of 1/8% would increase pro forma interest expense
     on the Credit Facility by an aggregate of $5,000 for the year ended
     December 31, 1995. This increase in interest expense would decrease pro
     forma income before income taxes by the same amount. There would be no
     impact on earnings per share.
 
(11) Net income for the year ended December 31, 1995 is presented before an
     extraordinary loss of $4,143,000, net of taxes, associated with the Senior
     Notes Retirement.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                       CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
            UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                 MARCH 31, 1996
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   HISTORICAL
                            -------------------------   ACQUISITION                  OFFERING       PRO
                            THE COMPANY   EVANS RENTS   ADJUSTMENTS   AS ADJUSTED   ADJUSTMENTS    FORMA
                            -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   --------
<S>                         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
ASSETS:
Cash and cash
equivalents...............      --         $     351        --         $     351        --        $    351
Accounts receivable,
net.......................   $   7,027         2,265        --             9,292        --           9,292
Prepaid expenses..........       3,927            12        --             3,939        --           3,939
Rental furniture, net.....     110,932        17,663     $  (2,400)(1)    126,195       --         126,195
Property, plant and
equipment, net............      32,282         2,288          (300)(1)     34,270       --          34,270
Intangible and other
assets....................      27,483           175        13,341(2)     40,999        --          40,999
                            -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   --------
                             $ 181,651     $  22,754     $  10,641     $ 215,046        --        $215,046
                            -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   --------
                            -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   --------
LIABILITIES AND
  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Accounts payable & accrued
expenses..................   $  22,601     $  11,581     $  (9,244)(3)  $  28,738       --        $ 28,738
                                                             3,800(4)
Deferred revenue &
  security deposits.......      12,119         1,531        --            13,650        --          13,650
Credit Facility and
other.....................       8,653         9,529        (8,927)(3)     36,980    $ (29,943)(6)    7,037
                                                            27,725(5)
Senior Notes..............      50,000        --            --            50,000        --          50,000
Convertible Subordinated
Notes.....................      --            15,735       (15,735)(3)     --           --           --
Deferred taxes and
other.....................       9,697        --            (2,600)(7)      7,097       --           7,097
                            -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   --------
    Total liabilities.....     103,070        38,376        (4,981)      136,465       (29,943)    106,522
 
Redeemable Preferred
Stock.....................      --             5,000        (5,000)(8)     --           --           --
 
Stockholders' equity
(deficit).................      78,581       (20,622)       20,622(8)     78,581        29,943(9)  108,524
                            -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   --------
                             $ 181,651     $  22,754     $  10,641     $ 215,046     $       0    $215,046
                            -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   --------
                            -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   --------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Adjusts the historical cost of Evans Rents' rental property and certain
    equipment to fair market value based on preliminary studies.
 
(2) Reflects the increase in goodwill associated with the acquisition of Evans
    Rents.
 
(3) Eliminates debt and related accrued interest of Evans Rents not assumed by
    the Company.
 
(4) Reflects reserves established to cover certain one-time costs associated
    with the closure of duplicate Evans Rents facilities ($3,350,000) and the
    termination of the employment of certain members of Evans Rents' management
    who will not be replaced ($450,000).
 
(5) Reflects additional borrowings under the Credit Facility for the acquisition
    of Evans Rents and related transaction costs.
 
(6) Reflects the repayment of debt from the net proceeds of the Offering.
 
(7) Adjusts deferred taxes to reflect the acquisition of Evans Rents.
 
(8) Eliminates Evans Rents' historical redeemable preferred stock and
    stockholders' deficit.
 
   
(9) Reflects the estimated proceeds from the Offering of $32,300,000, net of
    $2,357,000 in underwriting discounts and commissions and other fees.
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The following table sets forth the selected historical financial data of the
Company since its formation and acquisition of CFR on March 31, 1993, and the
selected historical financial data of CFR prior to the acquisition by the
Company. The financial data of the Company as of and for the nine months ended
December 31, 1993 and as of and for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995
have been derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company
which have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. The financial data of CFR as
of and for the years ended December 31, 1991 and 1992, and for the three months
ended March 31, 1993 have been derived from the financial statements of CFR
which have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. The combined financial data
for the year ended December 31, 1993 represent CFR information for the three
months ended March 31, 1993 combined with information for the Company for the
nine months ended December 31, 1993. The financial data as of March 31, 1996 and
for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 are derived from the
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company. In the
opinion of management of the Company, such unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation
of the financial position and the results of operations as of and for such
periods. The selected historical financial data should be read in conjunction
with the Company's and CFR's financial statements and notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. Operating results for the three months ended March
31, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for
the entire year ending December 31, 1996.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
                       CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              THE COMPANY
                                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                          PREDECESSOR(1)                                          YEAR ENDED
                                  -------------------------------                                DECEMBER 31,               THREE
                                                          THREE                       ----------------------------------    MONTHS
                                                         MONTHS       NINE MONTHS                                           ENDED
                                      YEAR ENDED          ENDED          ENDED        COMBINED                              MARCH
                                     DECEMBER 31,       MARCH 31,   DECEMBER 31,(2)    (2)(3)          HISTORICAL            31,
                                  -------------------   ---------   ---------------   --------   -----------------------   --------
                                    1991       1992       1993           1993           1993        1994         1995        1995
                                  --------   --------   ---------   ---------------   --------   ----------   ----------   --------
<S>                               <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>               <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
 Furniture rental revenue.......  $ 84,213   $ 83,351   $  21,497      $  79,002      $100,499    $ 130,026    $ 141,988   $ 33,815
 Furniture sales revenue........    22,358     23,109       6,228         21,846        28,074       34,534       37,321     10,316
                                  --------   --------   ---------        -------      --------   ----------   ----------   --------
      Total revenue.............   106,571    106,460      27,725        100,848       128,573      164,560      179,309     44,131
 Furniture rental gross
profit..........................    68,481     68,555      17,451         63,318        80,769      104,255      114,038     27,328
 Furniture sales gross profit...     9,318      9,633       2,548          8,716        11,264       13,885       15,118      4,113
                                  --------   --------   ---------        -------      --------   ----------   ----------   --------
      Total gross profit........    77,799     78,188      19,999         72,034        92,033      118,140      129,156     31,441
 Selling, general and
   administrative expenses(4)...    68,345     74,671      16,779         58,990        75,769       95,526      102,435     25,189
                                  --------   --------   ---------        -------      --------   ----------   ----------   --------
 Operating earnings(5)..........     9,454      3,517       3,220         13,044        16,264       22,614       26,721      6,252
 Interest expense(6)............    18,618     10,979         879          8,941         9,820       16,246       15,917      4,145
                                  --------   --------   ---------        -------      --------   ----------   ----------   --------
 Income (loss) before taxes and
extraordinary loss..............    (9,164)    (7,462)      2,341          4,103         6,444        6,368       10,804      2,107
 Income (loss) before
extraordinary loss..............    (8,710)    (6,862)      1,976          2,313         4,289        3,546        6,218      1,195
 Extraordinary loss from early
   retirement of debt(7)........        --         --          --             --            --           --        4,143         --
 Net income (loss)..............    (8,710)    (6,862)      1,976          2,313         4,289        3,546        2,075      1,195
 
PER SHARE DATA:
 Earnings per share before
   extraordinary loss...........                                                                  $    0.81    $    1.08   $   0.25
 Extraordinary loss per share...                                                                         --         0.53         --
                                                                                                 ----------   ----------   --------
 Earnings per share.............                                                                  $    0.81    $    0.55   $   0.25
                                                                                                 ----------   ----------   --------
                                                                                                 ----------   ----------   --------
 Weighted average number of
   shares used in
   computation(8)...............                                                                      7,049        7,759      7,239
<CAPTION>
 
                                  AS OF DECEMBER 31,                                          AS OF DECEMBER 31,
                                  -------------------                                 ----------------------------------
                                    1991       1992                                     1993        1994         1995
                                  --------   --------                                 --------   ----------   ----------
<S>                               <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>               <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Total assets...................  $157,988   $154,262                                 $169,777    $ 178,275    $ 173,722
 Total debt.....................   145,513    147,948                                  120,269      123,645       53,800
 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Stock...........................     1,253      --                                       --          --           --
 Stockholders' equity
(deficit).......................   (11,659)   (17,268)                                   3,341        6,963       75,421
 
<CAPTION>
                                    1996
                                  ---------
<S>                               <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
 Furniture rental revenue.......  $  38,555
 Furniture sales revenue........     10,214
                                  ---------
      Total revenue.............     48,769
 Furniture rental gross
profit..........................     31,117
 Furniture sales gross profit...      4,276
                                  ---------
      Total gross profit........     35,393
 Selling, general and
   administrative expenses(4)...     28,221
                                  ---------
 Operating earnings(5)..........      7,172
 Interest expense(6)............      1,781
                                  ---------
 Income (loss) before taxes and
extraordinary loss..............      5,391
 Income (loss) before
extraordinary loss..............      3,160
 Extraordinary loss from early
   retirement of debt(7)........         --
 Net income (loss)..............      3,160
PER SHARE DATA:
 Earnings per share before
   extraordinary loss...........  $    0.27
 Extraordinary loss per share...         --
                                  ---------
 Earnings per share.............  $    0.27
                                  ---------
                                  ---------
 Weighted average number of
   shares used in
   computation(8)...............     11,631
                                    AS OF
                                  MARCH 31,
                                  ---------
                                    1996
                                  ---------
<S>                               <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
 Total assets...................  $ 181,651
 Total debt.....................     58,653
 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Stock...........................     --
 Stockholders' equity
(deficit).......................     78,581
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Represents CFR prior to its acquisition by the Company on March 31, 1993.
    The Company was formed in March 1993 for the purpose of acquiring all of the
    outstanding stock of CFR.
 
(2) Income statement data for the nine months ended and combined year ended
    December 31, 1993 include the results of operations of General Furniture
    Leasing for the four months ended December 31, 1993. The September 1, 1993
    acquisition of General Furniture was accounted for as a purchase business
    combination. Revenue of General Furniture Leasing for the four months ended
    December 31, 1993 was $13,438,000.
 
(3) Data for the combined year ended December 31, 1993 represent CFR information
    for the three months ended March 31, 1993 combined with information of the
    Company for the nine months ended December 31, 1993.
 
(4) Selling, general and administrative expenses include employee, delivery and
    advertising expenses, occupancy, utilities and nonrental depreciation
    expenses, other operating expenses and amortization of goodwill.
 
(5) Operating earnings for 1992 include $1,149,000 of severance and relocation
    costs resulting from the promotion of a new senior management team.
    Operating earnings for 1991 and 1992 include $3,779,000 and $8,877,000,
    respectively, relating to the discontinuation of the development of a
    computer system. Management of the Company believes that these charges are
    non-recurring in nature. Adjusted for these non-recurring expenses,
    operating earnings would have been $13,233,000 and $13,543,000 for the years
    ended December 31, 1991 and 1992, respectively.
 
(6) Interest expense in 1992 and for the three months ended March 31, 1993
    reflects the impact of a restructuring of CFR on June 30, 1992. Interest
    expense for the six months ended December 31, 1992 and the three months
    ended March 31, 1993 was recognized at an effective rate of 1.8% as a result
    of applying the accounting principles of a troubled debt restructuring.
 
(7) For the year ended December 31, 1995, the extraordinary loss relates to the
    early retirement of $50,000,000 principal amount of CFR's 12% Senior Notes.
 
(8) The computation of earnings per share for 1994 and 1995 assumes that the
    Exchange for Common Stock and the reduction in the related historical
    interest expense occurred as of January 1, 1994. See Note 2 of CORT's
    Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
   
    Certain information set forth or incorporated by reference herein contains
forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the
Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking
statements include the benefits expected to result from the integration of Evans
Rents into CORT's West Coast region including improvements in operating margins
and leveraging of the Company's fixed costs and infrastructure over a larger
revenue base. Certain factors as discussed in "Risk Factors" could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
    
 
    The following information should be read together with the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein (dollars in
thousands except per share data).
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    CORT Business Services Corporation was formed on March 29, 1993 and
contemporaneously acquired all of the stock of CORT Furniture Rental Corporation
in a business combination accounted for using the purchase method. The Company
is a holding company with no independent operations and no material assets other
than its investment in CFR. The following analysis compares the results of
operations of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995,
for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, and for the year ended December
31, 1994 and the combined results of operations of the Company for the nine
months ended December 31, 1993 and of CFR for the three months ended March 31,
1993. The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, certain income
statement data as a percentage of total revenue, unless otherwise indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             THREE MONTHS
                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,               ENDED MARCH 31,
                                                ----------------------------------      ----------------------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
                                                 1993         1994          1995          1995          1996
                                                ------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Revenue
  Rental revenue............................      78.2%         79.0%         79.2%         76.6%         79.1%
  Sales revenue.............................      21.8          21.0          20.8          23.4          20.9
                                                ------      --------      --------      --------      --------
    Total revenue...........................     100.0         100.0         100.0         100.0         100.0
 
Cost of rental(1)...........................      19.6          19.8          19.7          19.2          19.3
Cost of sales(1)............................      59.9          59.8          59.5          60.1          58.1
 
Gross margin................................      71.6          71.8          72.0          71.2          72.6
Selling, general and administrative
expenses....................................      58.9          58.0          57.1          57.1          57.9
                                                ------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Operating earnings..........................      12.6          13.7          14.9          14.2          14.7
 
Interest....................................       7.6           9.9           8.9           9.4           3.6
Income taxes................................       1.7           1.7           2.6           2.1           4.6
                                                ------      --------      --------      --------      --------
Income before extraordinary loss............       3.3%          2.2%          3.4%          2.7%          6.5%
Net income..................................       3.3%          2.2%          1.2%          2.7%          6.5%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
(1) Cost of rental is calculated as a percentage of rental revenue. Cost of
    sales is calculated as a percentage of sales revenue.
 
  Components of Operating Earnings
 
    Revenue. Substantially all of the Company's revenue is derived from base
rent and fees from its outstanding furniture leases and from the sale of rental
furniture. Rental revenue is recognized in the month in which it is due.
Furniture sales revenue is recognized in the month of furniture delivery.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
    Cost of Furniture Rental. The primary component of cost of furniture rental
is depreciation of rental furniture which is a noncash charge included in the
statements of cash flows as a component of cash provided by operating
activities. The Company depreciates most of its rental furniture on a
declining-balance method over five years, with an estimated salvage value of 40%
of original cost, the remainder (approximately one-third) is depreciated on a
straight line basis over six years with an estimated salvage value of 25%. The
Company also records the book value of other disposals, primarily inventory
shrinkage, as a component of the cost of furniture rental revenue.
 
    Cost of Furniture Sales. When furniture is sold, the depreciated book value
of such furniture is recorded as cost of furniture sales and is also included in
the statements of cash flows as a component of cash provided by operating
activities.
 
    Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses include employee, delivery and advertising expenses,
occupancy, utilities and nonrental depreciation expenses, other operating
expenses and amortization of goodwill.
 
  Three Months Ended March 31, 1996 as Compared to Three Months Ended March 31,
1995
 
    Revenue. Total revenue increased 10.5% to $48,769 for the three months ended
March 31, 1996 from $44,131 for the three months ended March 31, 1995. Furniture
rental revenue for the three months ended March 31, 1996 was $38,555, a 14.0%
increase from $33,815 for the three months ended March 31, 1995. The increase
reflects growth in the number of leases as well as revenue per lease. Furniture
sales decreased 1.0% to $10,214 for the three months ended March 31, 1996.
Excluding the impact of an unusually large corporate sale in the first quarter
of 1995, furniture sales would have shown an increase of 14.8%.
 
    Operating Costs and Expenses. Cost of furniture rental has increased from
19.2% of furniture rental revenue in 1995 to 19.3% of furniture rental revenue
in 1996. This increase is due to the impact of start-up operations in four new
markets. Cost of furniture sales decreased from 60.1% of furniture sales revenue
in 1995 to 58.1% in 1996. The cost of furniture sales for 1995 included the
large corporate sale which had a reduced margin.
 
    Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $28,221 or 57.9% of
total revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 1996 as compared to $25,189 or
57.1% in 1995. The increase for the first quarter of 1996, which was expected,
reflects the costs associated with the start-up districts. Without the start-up
districts, selling, general and administrative expenses would have been 57.0% of
total revenue.
 
    Operating Earnings. As a result of the changes in revenue, operating costs
and expenses discussed above, operating earnings were $7,172 or 14.7% of total
revenue in the first quarter of 1996 compared to $6,252 or 14.2% of total
revenue in the first quarter of 1995.
 
    Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $1,781 in 1996 from $4,145
in 1995. The decrease is a result of the early retirement of $50,000 of CFR's
Senior Notes and the exchange of all of the Company's and CFR's subordinated
debentures for Common Stock, both of which occurred in the fourth quarter of
1995.
 
    Furniture Purchases. Furniture purchases totaled $18,647 in the three months
ended March 31, 1996, an increase of 24.6% from the $14,968 purchased in the
three months ended March 31, 1995. The increase supports the growth in furniture
rental revenue and replenishes furniture which has been sold or disposed of,
while still reducing idle inventory.
 
  Year Ended December 31, 1995 as Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1994
 
    Impact of Initial Public Offering and Early Debt Retirement. Due to the
proximity of the Company's initial public offering and related debt retirement
transactions to December 31, 1995, management believes that pro forma income
before extraordinary loss and related per share data
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
provide a more meaningful comparison than historical results. Therefore, pro
forma income before extraordinary loss has been adjusted to reflect the impact
of the initial public offering and related debt retirement transactions as if
they occurred at the beginning of 1994. Pro forma income excludes $4,143, net of
tax, associated with the early retirement of debt and also excludes interest
associated with the Company's and CFR's subordinated debentures and $50,000 of
CFR's Senior Notes. Pro forma earnings per common share before extraordinary
loss have been calculated using 11,608,000 shares, the actual number of common
and common stock equivalents outstanding as of December 31, 1995 on a fully
diluted basis. Given the above adjustments, pro forma income before
extraordinary loss for the year ended December 31, 1995 was $11,529, or $0.99
per share compared to $9,067, or $0.78 per share.
 
    Revenue. Total revenue increased 9.0% to $179,309 in 1995 from $164,560 in
1994. Furniture rental revenue for the year was $141,988, an increase of 9.2%
from $130,026 in 1994. This increase reflects an average increase of 9.6% in
base rent as well as an average of 3.1% growth in the number of leases.
Furniture sales increased 8.1% in 1995 to $37,321 from $34,534 in 1994.
Excluding the impact of an unusually large corporate sale in the first quarter
of 1995, furniture sales would have shown an increase of 5.2%.
 
    Gross Profit. Gross profit margin on total revenue increased to 72.0% for
the year ended December 31, 1995 from 71.8% for the year ended December 31,
1994. The gross profit margin on furniture rental revenue increased to 80.3% in
1995 from 80.2% in 1994. Gross profit margin on furniture sales revenue
increased to 40.5% in 1995 from 40.2% in 1994.
 
    Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses totaled $102,435 or 57.1% of total revenue in 1995 as
compared to $95,526 or 58.0% of total revenue in 1994. This percentage decrease
is primarily attributed to revenue increasing faster than occupancy expenses.
 
    Operating Earnings. As a result of the changes in revenue, gross margin and
selling, general and administrative expenses discussed above, operating earnings
increased to $26,721, or 14.9% of total revenue in 1995 from $22,614, or 13.7%
of total revenue in 1994.
 
    Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $15,917 in 1995 from $16,246
in 1994. The decrease is related to the early retirement of $50,000 in aggregate
principal amount of CFR's Senior Notes, as well as the exchange of the Company's
and CFR's subordinated debentures for Common Stock, both of which occurred in
the last quarter of 1995.
 
    Extraordinary Loss. As a result of the early retirement of CFR's Senior
Notes and the termination of CFR's prior revolving credit facility, the Company
recognized a loss of $4,143, net of taxes, which has been reflected in the
Company's consolidated statement of operations as an extraordinary loss for the
year ended December 31, 1995. The extraordinary loss includes $4,600 of premiums
on the Senior Notes retirement, the write off of $1,907 of deferred financing
fees and $398 of other associated costs.
 
    Furniture Purchases. Furniture purchases totaled $54,153 in 1995, an
increase of 25.3% over total purchases of $43,233 in 1994. Of this increase,
$1,072 or 2.5% represents furniture acquired in connection with small portfolio
acquisitions. The remaining increase supports the increase in furniture rental
revenue and replenishes furniture which has been sold or disposed of while still
reducing idle inventory.
 
  Year Ended December 31, 1994 as Compared to Combined Year Ended December 31,
1993
 
    Impact of General Furniture Acquisition. In September 1993, the Company made
the significant acquisition of General Furniture. As a result, the financial
information reported for the years ended December 31, 1994 and combined December
31, 1993 is not comparable. The Company's revenue growth and operating earnings,
on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the acquisition, should be evaluated
in light of the changes made subsequent to the acquisition, which include the
consolidation of certain underperforming operations and the realization of
certain operating efficiencies.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    Revenue. Total revenue increased 28.0% to $164,560 in 1994 from $128,573 in
1993. However, the 1993 reported revenue includes only 4 months of General
Furniture. On a pro forma basis for 1993, after giving effect to the acquisition
of General Furniture, revenue was $156,166 as compared to 1994 revenue of
$164,560, an increase of 5.4%. Furniture rental revenue for the year was
$130,026, an increase of 29.4% from $100,499 in 1993. On a pro forma basis for
1993, after giving effect to the acquisition of General Furniture, furniture
rental revenue was $121,761 and comparatively 1994 furniture rental revenue was
$130,026, an increase of 6.8%. This increase is attributed to an improved
economy and a strong focus on the office market which increased 12.5%. Furniture
sales increased 23.0% in 1994 to $34,534 from $28,074 in 1993. On a pro forma
basis for 1993, furniture sales were $34,405 and comparatively, 1994 furniture
sales increased 0.4%.
 
    Gross Profit. Gross profit margin on total revenue increased to 71.8% for
the year ended December 31, 1994 from 71.6% for the year ended December 31,
1993. However, the 1993 reported margin includes only four months of General
Furniture operations. On a pro forma basis for 1993, gross profit margin on
total revenue increased to 71.8% from 70.5%. The gross profit margin on
furniture rental revenue decreased from 80.4% in 1993 to 80.2% in 1994. On a pro
forma basis, the gross profit margin on furniture rental revenue increased from
79.6% for the combined operations for the full year 1993 to 80.2% in 1994. This
increase is attributed to improvements in underperforming business locations,
improvements from the integration of General Furniture into operations and the
increased revenue from the office segment which is typically more profitable to
the Company. Gross profit margin on furniture sales revenue increased to 40.2%
in 1994 from 40.1% in 1993. On a pro forma basis, the gross profit margin on
furniture sales revenue increased from 38.1% in 1993 to 40.2% in 1994. This
increase is also attributed to the improvements in underperforming business
locations and improvements from the integration of General Furniture into
operations.
 
    Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses totaled $95,526 or 58.0% of total revenue in 1994 as
compared to $75,769 or 58.9% of total revenue in 1993. On a pro forma basis,
selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $90,712, or 58.1% of total
revenue for 1993. The decrease as a percentage of total revenue in selling,
general and administrative expenses is attributed to the synergies of the
General Furniture acquisition.
 
    Operating Earnings. As a result of the changes in revenue, gross margin and
selling, general and administrative expenses discussed above, operating earnings
increased to $22,614, or 13.7% of total revenue in 1994 from $16,264, or 12.6%
of total revenue in 1993. On a pro forma basis, operating earnings increased to
$22,614 or 13.7% of total revenue in 1994 from $19,325 or 12.4% of total revenue
in 1993.
 
    Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $16,246 in 1994 from $9,820
in 1993. The increase is directly related to the increase in the Company's
outstanding debt and interest rates from the issuance of CFR's Senior Notes in
September 1993.
 
    Furniture Purchases. Furniture purchases totaled $43,233 in 1994, an
increase of 15.6% over total purchases of $37,408 in 1993. On a pro forma basis,
furniture purchases totaled $41,441 for 1993, an increase of 4.3%. The increase
in purchases was necessary to provide for the 5.4% increase, on a pro forma
basis, in total revenue in 1994 while decreasing idle inventory.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    The Company's primary capital requirements are for purchases of rental
furniture (including new furniture purchases and lease portfolio acquisitions)
and debt service. The Company purchases furniture throughout each year to
replace furniture which has been sold and to maintain adequate levels of rental
furniture to meet existing and new customer needs. Furniture purchases were
$37,408, $43,233, and $54,153 in 1993, 1994, and 1995, respectively and $14,968
and $18,647 for the first three months of 1995 and 1996, respectively. As the
Company's growth strategies continue to be implemented, furniture purchases are
expected to increase.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    The Company's other capital requirements consist of purchases of property,
plant and equipment, including warehouse and showroom improvements, office
equipment, trucks and computer hardware and standard programming enhancements
necessary for installation of the new management information system in
additional districts. Net purchases of property, plant and equipment were
$1,818, $2,780, and $4,108 in 1993, 1994, and 1995, respectively and $1,115 and
$1,959 for the first three months of 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
    During 1993, 1994, 1995 and for the three months ended March 31, 1996, net
cash provided by operations was $43,460, $52,019, $55,563 and $15,374,
respectively. During 1993, 1994, 1995 and for the three months ended March 31,
1996, net cash used in investing activities was $98,981, $46,645, $54,237 and
$20,606, respectively, consisting primarily of purchases of rental furniture. In
1993, $27,500 was used to acquire CFR and $28,863 was used to acquire General
Furniture. During 1993, 1994, 1995 and for the three months ended March 31,
1996, net cash provided (used) by financing activities was $58,917, ($329),
($14,108) and $4,853, respectively. In 1993, $96,667 was provided by CFR's
Senior Notes offering which was used to pay off $67,927 in existing debt, and to
finance the acquisition of General Furniture. In addition, the initial investors
provided $1,000 in equity and $26,500 in debentures in conjunction with the
initial capitalization of the Company. In 1995, $36,995 was provided by the
initial public offering, net of expenses, which was used along with other cash
resources to pay off $50,000 of CFR's Senior Notes.
 
    CFR entered into the Credit Facility concurrently with the consummation of
the initial public offering of the Company. The Credit Facility, amended as of
May 24, 1996, now provides a $70,000 line of credit, subject to certain
borrowing base restrictions, to meet acquisition and expansion needs as well as
seasonal working capital and general corporate requirements. The Credit Facility
expires on November 21, 1998. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest
at a fluctuating rate based on, at the Company's option, either the lead
lender's base rate or the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR). The average
interest rate paid by CFR during 1995 on the Credit Facility was 7.9%. A
commitment fee calculated based upon the unused portion of the Credit Facility
is payable quarterly in arrears. The Company had $8,600 outstanding under the
Credit Facility at March 31, 1996. The Company borrowed an additional $27,725 on
April 24, 1996 to finance the acquisition of Evans Rents and related fees and
expenses.
 
    The net proceeds from the initial public offering of the Company, together
with available cash and borrowings of $4,800 under the Credit Facility were used
to retire $50,000 in aggregate principal amount of CFR's Senior Notes. The
Company is required to make annual interest payments on the remaining $50,000 in
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes outstanding totalling $6,000
annually, payable on March 1 and September 1, in arrears. The Company will not
be required to make principal repayments on the Senior Notes until maturity in
September 2000.
 
    The Credit Facility and indenture governing the Senior Notes restrict the
ability of CFR to make advances and pay dividends to the Company.
 
    The Company believes that future cash flows from operations, together with
the borrowings available under the Credit Facility will provide the Company with
sufficient liquidity and financial resources to finance its growth and satisfy
its working capital requirements through the term of the Credit Facility. The
Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows from operations to pay
the entire principal amount of the remaining $50,000 of Senior Notes when due in
September 2000. In such event, the Company intends to refinance such amount
primarily through additional equity offerings or alternative forms of debt
financing. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
obtain financing on acceptable terms.
 
    The IRS has examined the Federal income tax returns of CFR for the years
1989 through June 30, 1992. In connection with that examination, the IRS has
proposed adjustments for each year related to methods of depreciation and cost
recovery used by CFR. In addition, the IRS has notified CFR of proposed changes
with regard to legal and other fees previously deducted. If successfully
asserted by the IRS, the proposed adjustments would result in approximately $21
million of additional tax liability,
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
including accrued interest through March 31, 1996. The Company, however, has
agreed in principle with the IRS appeals officer handling the administrative
appeal of the examination on a settlement of the proposed adjustments. The
settlement agreed to in principle will not result in any additional financial
statement tax expenses, as the Company's reserves included in deferred income
taxes are adequate to cover such expenses, and will not require the Company to
alter its methods of depreciation or cost recovery period. The Company will be
required to make a payment to the IRS and certain state jurisdictions for income
and franchise tax purposes. The total amount of the proposed settlement is
approximately $3.0 million (including interest through March 31, 1996) of which
the Company made an initial deposit of approximately $925,000 in February 1996.
This agreement is only an agreement in principle, and thus could change. The
tentative settlement will become effective only upon approval by the proper IRS
personnel and execution of definitive settlement documentation. Upon final IRS
approval, the Company will make the remaining required payment from either cash
on hand or borrowings under the Credit Facility.
 
    The IRS has also proposed the disallowance of certain deductions taken by
Fairwood Corporation for a consolidated tax group of which CFR was previously a
member ("Former Group") through the year ended December 31, 1988 and subsequent
years. The IRS challenge includes the assertion that certain interest deductions
taken by the Former Group should be recharacterized as non-deductible dividend
distributions and that deductions for certain expenses related to the
acquisition of Mohasco Corporation (now Consolidated Furniture Corporation),
CFR's former shareholder, be disallowed. Under IRS regulations, the Company and
each other member of the Former Group is severally liable for the full amount of
any Federal income tax liability of the Former Group while CFR was a member of
the Former Group, which could be as much as approximately $29 million for such
periods (including interest through March 31, 1996). Under the agreement of sale
for CFR, Consolidated Furniture Corporation agreed to indemnify the Company in
full for any consolidated tax liability of the Former Group for the years during
which CFR was a member of the Former Group. In addition, the Company may have
rights of contribution against other members of the Former Group if the Company
were required to pay more than its equitable share of any consolidated tax
liability. Although Fairwood Corporation has stated that it believes the IRS's
position with respect to those proposed disallowances is unjustified and is
contesting the matter vigorously, neither the Company nor Fairwood Corporation
can predict a successful resolution to the IRS examination. No assurance can be
given that, if Consolidated Furniture Corporation becomes liable for Federal
income tax as a result of the examination, and if the IRS were to collect any
resulting tax directly from CFR, that CFR would be able to recover all or part
of the deficiency from Consolidated Furniture Corporation under its indemnity or
from other members of the Former Group under rights of contribution. No reserves
are included in the Company's financial statements with respect to potential tax
liabilities of the Former Group. There can be no assurance, however, that the
Company's ultimate liability with respect to periods during which CFR was a
member of the Former Group will not result in a material impact on the Company's
financial condition or results of operations.
 
INFLATION AND GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
 
    Historically, the Company has been able to offset increases in furniture
prices with increases in rental rates. Management believes that increases in new
furniture prices have averaged less than the overall inflation rate over the
last five years. In periods of high inflation, the Company has historically
achieved higher margins on its clearance center sales. A sustained recession
with little or no new job growth may have a material adverse effect on the
Company's future opportunities for sustained growth.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
OVERVIEW
 
    The Company is the leading national provider of rental furniture,
accessories and related services in the growing and fragmented "rent-to-rent"
segment of the furniture rental industry. The "rent-to-rent" segment serves both
corporate and individual customers who desire flexibility to meet their
temporary and transitional needs. The Company focuses on corporate customers by
offering office and residential furniture and related accessories through a
direct sales force of approximately 580 salespeople and a network of 104
showrooms in 29 states and the District of Columbia. The Company believes that
approximately 80% of its rental revenue is derived from its corporate customers,
while the remainder is derived principally from rentals to middle- and
upper-income level individuals. Management believes that the Company's focus on
corporate and upper-income individual customers allows it to maintain a
high-quality lease portfolio, which contributes to generally higher operating
margins than those of its competitors. The Company maintains the showroom
quality condition of its merchandise available for rent by selling its
previously rented merchandise through a network of 65 company-operated clearance
centers, thereby enabling the Company to regularly update its inventory with new
styles and new merchandise. Sales of furniture through clearance centers, at
prices which for the last five years have averaged 110% of the furniture's
original cost, allow the Company to maximize the residual value of its rental
merchandise. Furniture sales through clearance centers and other sales accounted
for approximately 21% of the Company's total 1995 revenue.
 
    As the industry leader and the only "rent-to-rent" furniture rental company
with a national presence, CORT is well-positioned to take advantage of growing
demand for furniture rental services. This demand is believed to be driven by
continued growth in management and professional employment, the increasing
importance to American business of flexibility and outsourcing and the impact of
a more mobile and transitory population. The Company is called upon to meet
business-related furniture rental service needs by a corporate customer base
which includes Fortune 500 companies, small businesses and professionals, and
owners and operators of apartment communities.
 
    According to industry estimates, revenues of the "rent-to-rent" furniture
rental industry in 1994 were in excess of $650 million. A significant portion of
these revenues is generated by single-location and small regional businesses
which present attractive consolidation opportunities for the larger "rent-
to-rent" furniture rental companies such as CORT. Since the beginning of 1992,
the Company has acquired two of its significant competitors, General Furniture
and Evans Rents, and has completed and successfully integrated 13 small lease
portfolio acquisitions. Management believes that CORT is well-positioned to
continue capitalizing on the consolidation trend in the "rent-to-rent" furniture
rental industry due to its national presence, leading market share and financial
capacity.
 
    The Company's total revenue increased 19.0% on an annual basis, from $106.5
million in 1992 to $179.3 million in 1995, as a result of the acquisition of
General Furniture, small lease portfolio acquisitions and new showroom openings,
as well as growth in existing operations. Operating earnings increased 25.5% on
an annual basis from $13.5 million in 1992, excluding non-recurring charges of
$10.0 million, to $26.7 million in 1995. Total revenue and operating earnings
were $48.8 million and $7.2 million, respectively, in the first three months of
1996, representing an increase of 10.5% in revenue and 14.7% in operating
earnings as compared to the same period in 1995.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    Management believes that CORT's size, national presence, consistently
high-level customer service, product quality and broad product selection, depth
of management and efficient clearance centers have been key contributors to the
Company's success. The Company's objective is to build on these fundamentals and
increase further its revenue and operating earnings and expand its margins by
continuing to pursue its growth strategy. The key components of this strategy
are (i) making selective acquisitions; (ii) initiating operations in new markets
and adding showrooms in existing markets utilizing the CORT Furniture Rental and
General Furniture Leasing operating formats; (iii) expanding
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
its corporate customer base with an emphasis on the rental of high-margin office
furniture products; and (iv) continuing to invest in the development of new
products and services.
 
  Acquisitions
 
   
    The primary focus of the Company's growth strategy has been and will
continue to be the selective acquisition of small lease portfolios and regional
companies in new and existing markets. Since the beginning of 1992, the Company
has completed 13 small lease portfolio acquisitions. The Company is currently
negotiating a portfolio acquisition in a new market. In a typical lease
portfolio acquisition, the Company acquires existing leases and rental
furniture. Additionally, the Company may also retain sales personnel with strong
local customer relationships. The Company generally does not acquire showrooms,
distribution facilities or clearance centers in existing markets. However, in
new markets, the Company may choose to retain such real estate. The Company also
believes that there are a select number of opportunities to acquire larger
regional companies in order to enter new markets and increase its market share
in existing markets. For example, the Company has acquired two larger regional
companies: General Furniture in September 1993, which had total revenues of
approximately $41.5 million for fiscal year 1992, and Evans Rents in April 1996,
which had total revenues of approximately $30.5 million for fiscal year 1995.
The acquisition of General Furniture provided CORT with immediate access to new
market areas, additional critical mass in CORT's existing markets and an
alternative operating strategy targeted at a different segment of the
"rent-to-rent" furniture market. Evans Rents provides CORT with additional
critical mass in the greater Los Angeles and San Francisco areas, increases the
percentage of rental revenue derived from the rental of higher-margin office
furniture products and contributes additional expertise in the supply of
furniture for conventions.
    
 
  New Markets and Additional Showrooms
 
    The Company continues to expand the number of showrooms within its existing
markets as well as initiate new operations, including showrooms, distribution
facilities and clearance centers, in strategically identified geographic
locations where it currently does not conduct business and where attractive
acquisition opportunities do not exist. By increasing the number of showrooms
associated with existing distribution facilities and clearance centers, the
Company is able to distribute its real estate, personnel and other fixed costs
over a larger revenue base. Since the beginning of 1995, CORT has begun
operations in four new metropolitan markets.
 
    The Company operates under the CORT Furniture Rental and General Furniture
Leasing tradenames. Furniture showrooms operated under the General Furniture
Leasing tradename are typically targeted at smaller markets and offer lower
price-point furniture rentals. The different formats and cost structures of the
CORT Furniture Rental and General Furniture Leasing operations provide the
Company with the capability to maximize expansion opportunities in markets of
various sizes.
 
  Expanded Corporate Customer Base
 
    The Company seeks to increase its corporate customer base in order to
capitalize on the longer lease terms, higher average lease amounts and multiple
lease transactions associated with corporate customers. In addition, corporate
customers more frequently enter into higher-margin office furniture leases. The
Company intends to grow revenue by increasing its corporate customer base
through expanded emphasis on national accounts, further development of sales
personnel with business-to-business sales experience and continued advertising.
The Company intends to increase awareness among its sales force of the benefits
and breadth of its office product offerings through expanded training programs
and to focus the efforts of its sales force on these products by increased
incentive compensation for office product rentals.
 
  New Product and Service Development
 
    The Company continues to invest in the development of new products and
services. Products and services currently under development include the rental
of houseware amenity packages, interior design services and furniture for model
homes and the supply of furniture for conventions. Management
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
believes that the gradual introduction of new products and services allows the
Company to experiment with such products and services at a relatively low
initial cost. See "--Products--New Products."
 
ACQUISITION OF EVANS RENTS
 
    In April 1996, the Company acquired Evans Rents, a "rent-to-rent" furniture
rental company located exclusively in California, for a purchase price of
approximately $27 million. Prior to the acquisition, Evans Rents operated 17
showrooms primarily in the greater Los Angeles and San Francisco areas.
Management believes that Evans Rents, using an operating format similar to that
of CORT Furniture Rental, derives its rental revenue from a comparable customer
base, while generating a higher percentage of revenue from rentals of office
furniture products. Evans Rents' total 1995 revenues were approximately $30.5
million.
 
    As the Company integrates Evans Rents into its West Coast region, operating
margins are expected to benefit from the Company's ability to better leverage
its fixed costs and infrastructure over a larger revenue base. The Company
expects to reduce operating expenses by closing 12 duplicate showrooms.
 
THE "RENT-TO-RENT" INDUSTRY
 
    The "rent-to-rent" segment of the furniture rental industry serves both
corporate and individual customers who generally have immediate, temporary needs
for office or residential merchandise but who typically do not seek to own such
merchandise. Office product customers range from large corporations who desire
flexibility to meet their temporary and transitional needs, to small businesses
and professionals who require office furnishings but seek to conserve capital.
Residential product customers include corporations seeking to provide
furnishings for corporate employees who have been relocated or who are on
temporary assignment, apartment community managers seeking to provide furnished
apartments and individual residents seeking to rent merchandise for their own
homes and apartments.
 
    According to industry estimates, the "rent-to-rent" furniture rental
industry generated in excess of $650 million of revenue in 1994. The demand for
rental products is believed to be driven by continued growth in management and
professional employment levels, the changing trends in American business towards
flexibility and outsourcing and the impact of a more mobile and transitory
population. The industry is highly competitive and consolidating with many
participants operating single locations and small regional businesses. See
"--Competition."
 
    The "rent-to-rent" business is differentiated from the "rent-to-own"
business primarily by the terms of the rental arrangements and the type of
customer served. "Rent-to-rent" customers generally desire high quality
furniture to meet temporary needs, have established credit, and pay on a monthly
basis. Typically, these customers do not seek to acquire the property rented. In
the typical "rent-to-rent" transaction, the customer agrees to rent merchandise
for three to six months, subject to extension by the customer on a
month-to-month basis. By contrast, "rent-to-own" arrangements are generally made
by customers without established credit whose objective is to acquire ownership
of the property. "Rent-to-own" arrangements are typically entered into on a
month-to-month basis and require weekly rental payments.
 
PRODUCTS
 
    The Company rents a full line of furniture and accessories throughout the
United States for office and residential purposes. The Company classifies its
furniture leases based on the type of furniture leased and the expected use of
the furniture.
 
  Office Products
 
    In order to capitalize on the significant profit potential available from
the longer average rental periods and the higher average monthly rent for office
products, the Company's strategy is to emphasize office furniture rentals. The
Company offers a full range of office, conference room and reception area
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
furniture, including desks, chairs, tables, credenzas, panel systems and
accessories. In order to promote longer office lease terms, the Company leases
furniture to its corporate customers at rates that reflect a premium on leases
that are less than six months and a discount on leases of more than six months.
 
    The Company's office furniture customers consist primarily of large
companies that desire flexibility to satisfy temporary and transitional needs
and small or start-up businesses that have immediate and changing furniture
requirements but seek to minimize capital outlay. The Company emphasizes its
ability to outfit an entire office with high quality furniture in two business
days, as well as its ability to provide consistent customer service and product
quality nationwide.
 
  Residential Products
 
    The Company leases residential products to corporate customers who are
temporarily or permanently relocating employees, to apartment managers and
owners who are providing furnished apartments and to individual end users of the
furniture. The Company offers a broad range of household furniture, including
dining room, living room and bedroom pieces, as well as certain electronic
products.
 
    A significant portion of the Company's residential furniture rentals are
derived from corporate relocations and temporary assignments, as new and
transferred employees of the Company's corporate customers enter into leases for
residential furniture. The Company's sales personnel maintain contacts with
corporate relocation departments. By presenting the possibility of obtaining
fully-furnished rental apartments as a lower cost alternative to hotel
accommodations, the Company offers its corporate rental customers a way to
reduce the costs of corporate relocations while developing residential business
with new and transferred employees. The Company's ability to service both
corporate and individual needs creates a broad corporate customer base
accompanied by an increasing pool of employees utilizing the Company's
residential services.
 
  New Products
 
    CORT offers several new products and services in selected markets. The
Company offers houseware amenity packages (such as linens, towels, dishes,
cookware and other kitchen, bedroom and bath accessories) for rent to its
furniture rental customers. The Company generally has distributed houseware
amenity packages through third-party contractors either under subcontract
arrangements or direct referrals. Management estimates that 1995 revenues
referred or subcontracted were approximately $3.5 million. The Company continues
to expand the distribution of its own houseware amenity packages to capture
profits currently accruing to third party contractors and has made a lease
portfolio acquisition in 1996 of a housewares rental business. In addition, CORT
currently offers interior design services and furnishings for model homes in
three major metropolitan areas. Revenues generated from these creative design
services grew from $3.1 million in 1994 to $4.2 million in 1995. The Company is
also currently providing rental furniture to the convention industry through its
operations in New Orleans and the California operations acquired with Evans
Rents. The additional experience of Evans Rents will provide the Company with
further expertise in the convention services business.
 
OPERATIONS
 
  Lease Terms
 
    The Company typically leases furniture to individuals and corporate accounts
for three-, six- and twelve-month terms, which may be and often are extended by
its customers on a month-to-month basis. Management believes that, on average,
furniture remains on lease for approximately nine months at a time. Although
rental contracts may give the customer the option to purchase the merchandise
rented, only a small percentage of the Company's rental leases lead to customer
ownership.
 
    The Company's strategy is to price rentals to recover the original cost of
the furniture over a ten-month rental "payout period." However, pricing and
payout periods often vary with the length of the leases. The Company frequently
charges a delivery fee and, in the absence of proof of insurance, a
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
waiver fee. Within general company guidelines, each district has discretion to
set prices based upon local market factors.
 
    The Company may also require a security deposit from a customer which will
be returned at the end of the lease upon satisfactory compliance with the terms
of the lease. The Company requires applications from prospective rental
customers and performs credit investigations before approving such applications.
In each of the last five years, the Company's bad debt losses have been limited
to 0.7% of revenue or less.
 
  Dual Operating Strategy
 
    The Company operates under two names: CORT Furniture Rental and General
Furniture Leasing. Although there is some overlap between their ultimate
customer base, CORT Furniture Rental and General Furniture Leasing primarily
target different markets. CORT Furniture Rental attracts more corporate
customers and upper-income individuals, while General Furniture Leasing focuses
on middle-income individuals and residential customers. A privately-commissioned
survey determined that the average annual income of a CORT Furniture Rental
individual customer in 1994 was approximately $73,000, compared to approximately
$47,000 for a General Furniture Leasing individual customer. Typically, General
Furniture Leasing leases are for shorter average lease terms and involve lower
price-point merchandise. Management believes that the customer and lease base
for Evans Rents is similar to that of CORT Furniture Rental. The Company
believes that the different target customers and cost structures of CORT
Furniture Rental and General Furniture Leasing allow the Company to maximize
expansion opportunities in markets of varying sizes.
 
  Customer Services
 
    CORT is dedicated to providing consistently high quality customer service
nationwide to its corporate and individual customers. Through its national
network, the Company more efficiently services its corporate clients by
providing a single point of contact and centralized national billing for
customers who have furniture needs in multiple locations, offering consistent
quality of products and services at all CORT locations, and offering a broad
spectrum of products to customers. Under its Personal Service Guaranty, which
management believes is the only written service guarantee of its kind in the
"rent-to-rent" industry, the Company ensures customers of CORT Furniture Rental
that they will be satisfied with the furniture they rent or the Company will
exchange it for similar furniture within two business days free of charge.
Additionally, the Company's employees assist customers with space planning,
interior design and apartment location services.
 
  Furniture Sales
 
   
    For the last five years the Company has derived an average of 76% of its
furniture sales revenue from clearance centers sales. The remaining furniture
sales revenue is derived primarily from lease conversions and sales of new
furniture. Sales of rental furniture allow the Company to control inventory
levels and maintain showroom quality of rental inventory. On average, furniture
is typically sold through the clearance centers three years after its initial
purchase by the Company. For the last five years, sales of rental furniture
through the clearance centers have had an average recovery margin on the
original cost of furniture of approximately 110%, a price which is usually
considerably lower than the price of comparable new merchandise. Management
believes that its ability to recover the original cost of its furniture through
its clearance centers is a key contributor to the Company's profitability.
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
                           COST RECOVERY RATIO TABLE
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   THREE MONTHS
                                      ---------------------------------------------------        ENDED
                                       1991       1992      1993(1)     1994       1995      MARCH 31, 1996
                                      -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    --------------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Clearance Center sales revenue.....   $17,288    $18,226    $22,490    $26,136    $26,021        $7,247
Original cost of furniture.........    16,406     16,517     20,067     23,651     23,666         6,579
Cost recovery ratio................    105.4%     110.3%     112.1%     110.5%     110.0%        110.1%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
(1) Includes four months of combined data pursuant to the acquisition of General
    Furniture.
 
                              COST OF SALES TABLE
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   THREE MONTHS
                                      ---------------------------------------------------        ENDED
                                       1991       1992      1993(1)     1994       1995      MARCH 31, 1996
                                      -------    -------    -------    -------    -------    --------------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Cost of Clearance Center Sales.....   $10,022    $10,452    $13,354    $15,371    $15,060        $4,136
Cost of other furniture sales......     3,018      3,024      3,456      5,278      7,143         1,802
                                      -------    -------    -------    -------    -------        ------
Total Cost of Sales................   $13,040    $13,476    $16,810    $20,649    $22,203        $5,938
                                      -------    -------    -------    -------    -------        ------
                                      -------    -------    -------    -------    -------        ------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
(1) Includes four months of combined data pursuant to the acquisition of General
    Furniture.
 
  Sales, Marketing and Advertising
 
    The Company employs a sales force of approximately 580 people, including
managers and supervisors, rental consultants, commercial account executives,
residential account executives, and clearance center personnel. In general,
rental consultants service walk-in showroom customers, clearance center sales
personnel are responsible for walk-in clearance center customers and commercial
and residential account executives work to develop office and residential
customers in their districts. Utilizing the Company's national distribution
network to emphasize its ability to serve customers throughout the country, the
Company employs eight national account representatives who are responsible for
customers with business in more than one district.
 
    All of CORT Furniture Rental's sales representatives receive professional,
business-to-business sales training through the Company's CORT University
program, which was developed as part of the Company's continuing effort to
increase rental revenue and improve customer service. Management believes that
the program's emphasis on a problem solving, value-added approach to clients'
needs enhances its relationships with customers and provides CORT with a
competitive advantage in marketing to national accounts.
 
    The Company markets its services through brochures, newspapers, periodicals,
yellow pages, radio, television and direct response media and over the internet
(http://www.cort1.com). The Company designs its advertising program both to
promote the business and to increase awareness of the advantages of renting in
the residential and office furniture markets. The Company also supports its
clearance center sales through newspaper, radio and television advertising.
 
  Purchasing and Distribution
 
    The Company has a national product line chosen by its merchandising group.
Each district manager, in consultation with his or her regional merchandising
manager, selects from the national product line based on an analysis of customer
demand within such manager's specific market. Each district then places purchase
orders directly with the Company's vendors and shipment is arranged through the
Company's freight analyst directly to the district warehouse.
 
    The Company acquires furniture from a large number of manufacturers and is
not dependent on any particular manufacturer as a source of supply. In 1995, no
furniture manufacturer accounted for
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
more than 10% of the Company's furniture purchases. Management believes that the
Company is able to purchase furniture at lower prices than its competitors due
to the centralized selection of its product line and large volume of purchases.
The Company is generally able to obtain prompt delivery of furniture from its
suppliers and has not experienced material interruptions in its business
resulting from delays in acquiring furniture.
 
    Merchandise is typically delivered to rental customers by Company employees
via owned or leased trucks within two business days after a rental agreement has
been signed. At the end of the lease term, rental furniture is returned to the
Company's warehouses where it is inspected, cleaned and/or repaired in
preparation for future rental or sale. If it is determined that the furniture is
appropriate for sale rather than future rental, the furniture is then
transferred to a clearance center. Company warehouses are typically located next
to a clearance center, thereby allowing the Company to reduce shipping expenses
and realize efficiency gains.
 
  Inventory Management System
 
   
    In order to enhance inventory management capabilities and to facilitate the
collections process, the Company is currently installing a new management
information system. The new system provides a perpetual inventory system,
thereby supplying more accurate data regarding merchandise available for rent
throughout each district. This personal computer based system was developed
explicitly for use in the furniture rental industry. The Company has completed
certain required software modifications and has successfully installed the
system in 15 districts to date. The Company expects the system to be installed
in all 34 CORT Furniture Rental districts by mid-1998. The remaining cost of the
installation of the system is limited to the personal computer hardware required
by districts and standard programming enhancements required by operations.
    
 
PROPERTIES
 
    The Company carries out its rental, sales and warehouse operations through
127 facilities, of which 22 are owned and 105 are leased. The leased facilities
have lease terms with expiration dates ranging from 1996 to 2008. Upon the
expiration of its leases, the Company generally has been able to either extend
its leases or obtain suitable alternative facilities on satisfactory terms.
Management seeks to locate properties in new markets where rental, clearance and
warehouse operations can be combined in one facility. As the Company expands in
a particular district, the Company seeks to open free-standing showrooms that
can be serviced from pre-existing warehouses. The Company's showrooms generally
have 3,500 to 4,000 square feet of floor space. The Company regularly reviews
the presentation and appearance of its furniture showrooms and clearance centers
and periodically improves or refurbishes them to enhance their attractiveness to
customers.
 
    The Company's decision to enter a new market is based upon its review of
current demographic information, short- and long-term population and business
growth projections and the level of existing competition. Based upon this
analysis, management also determines whether it believes the market would be
more receptive to a CORT Furniture Rental operation or a General Furniture
Leasing operation. Once the decision is made to enter a new market, management
selects individual showroom locations by reviewing demographic information,
accessibility, visibility, customer traffic, location of competitors and cost.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
    The metropolitan areas in which the Company operates, together with the
number of showrooms in each metropolitan area, are set forth in the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                CORT        GENERAL
                                              FURNITURE    FURNITURE
                                               RENTAL       LEASING       TOTAL
            DISTRICT LOCATIONS                SHOWROOMS    SHOWROOMS    SHOWROOMS
- -------------------------------------------   ---------    ---------    ---------
<S>                     <C>                   <C>          <C>          <C>
ALABAMA--               Birmingham              --              1            1
ARIZONA--               Phoenix                    1         --              1
ARKANSAS--              Little Rock             --              1            1
CALIFORNIA(1)--         Orange County              3         --              3
                        Los Angeles                6         --              6
                        Sacramento                 1         --              1
                        San Diego                  1         --              1
                        San Francisco              4         --              4
                        Santa Clara                3         --              3
COLORADO--              Denver                     2         --              2
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA--  (2)                        6         --              6
FLORIDA--               Ft. Lauderdale             3            1            4
                        Jacksonville               1            1            2
                        Orlando                    2            1            3
                        Pensacola               --              1            1
                        Tampa                      2            2            4
GEORGIA--               Atlanta                    3            2            5
ILLINOIS--              Chicago                    3         --              3
INDIANA--               Indianapolis               1         --              1
KANSAS--                Kansas City                1         --              1
KENTUCKY--              Louisville                 2         --              2
LOUISIANA--             Baton Rouge                2         --              2
                        New Orleans(3)             1         --              1
MASSACHUSETTS--         Boston                     3         --              3
MICHIGAN--              Detroit                    3         --              3
MINNESOTA--             Minneapolis                2            2            4
MISSOURI--              St. Louis                  1         --              1
NEW MEXICO--            Albuquerque                1         --              1
NORTH CAROLINA--        Raleigh                    2         --              2
                        Charlotte                  1         --              1
OHIO--                  Cincinnati                 2         --              2
                        Columbus                   1         --              1
OKLAHOMA--              Oklahoma City           --              1            1
                        Tulsa                   --              1            1
OREGON--                Portland                   1         --              1
PENNSYLVANIA--          Philadelphia(4)            4         --              4
TENNESSEE--             Memphis                    1         --              1
                        Nashville               --              1            1
TEXAS--                 Austin                     1            1            2
                        Corpus Christi          --              1            1
                        Dallas                     4         --              4
                        Houston                 --              4            4
                        San Antonio                1            2            3
VIRGINIA--              Richmond                --              1            1
                        Virginia Beach          --              1            1
WASHINGTON--            Seattle                    3         --              3
                                                  --           --
                                                                           ---
  TOTAL                                           79           25          104
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
(1) CORT's showrooms operate under the name CORT/EVANS in California. Excludes
    12 duplicate showrooms which are expected to be closed as a result of the
    acquisition of Evans Rents.
 
(2) Includes locations in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
 
(3) CORT's showrooms operate under the name Weiner Cort Furniture Rental in the
    New Orleans area.
 
(4) Includes locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    The Company distributes its furniture using a fleet of approximately 145
leased and 70 company-owned delivery trucks. The trucks are usually rented for a
period of five to six years under operating leases and typically display the
CORT Furniture Rental, CORT/EVANS or General Furniture Leasing logo.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The "rent-to-rent" segment of the furniture rental industry is highly
competitive. Management believes that Aaron Rents, Globe Business Resources and
Brook Furniture Rental are the Company's significant competitors. In addition,
there are numerous smaller regional and local "rent-to-rent" furniture companies
as well as retailers offering residential and office furniture. Management
believes that the principal competitive factors in the furniture rental industry
are product value, furniture condition, extent of furniture selection, terms of
rental agreement, speed of delivery, exchange privilege, option to purchase,
deposit requirements and customer service level.
 
    With respect to sales of furniture through its clearance centers, the
Company competes with numerous used and new furniture retailers, some of which
are larger than the Company and have greater financial resources. Management
believes that price and value are the principal competitive factors in its
furniture sales.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    On May 31, 1996, the Company employed approximately 1,800 people of whom
approximately 50 were employed at corporate headquarters. Approximately 580
people were employed as salespersons, 840 people were employed in the warehouse
and distribution portion of the business and the remainder in district and
regional administrative positions.
 
    The Company's warehouse and delivery employees in Maryland (approximately 65
people) are represented by an independent union under a contract which expires
in December 1996.
 
    The Company believes that its relationships with its employees are good.
 
TRADEMARKS AND NAME RECOGNITION
 
    The Company engages in business under both the CORT Furniture Rental and
General Furniture Leasing tradenames. The Company has established its reputation
under the CORT Furniture Rental tradename over the past 22 years as a provider
of quality furniture and customer service. Prior to its acquisition by CORT,
General Furniture had been in the furniture rental business since 1969. Since
the acquisition of Evans Rents, the Company has been operating in California
under the name CORT/EVANS. The Company feels that the reputation and name
recognition of CORT Furniture Rental, General Furniture Leasing and Evans Rents
are important to customers.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    At May 31, 1996, the Company was involved in certain legal proceedings
arising in the normal course of its business. The Company believes the outcome
of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company. The
Company has recently undergone an examination of its Federal income tax returns
and is currently appealing the outcome. See "Risk Factors--Possible Additional
Tax Payments" and Note 6 of CORT's Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
REGULATORY MATTERS
 
    Compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations governing
pollution and protection of the environment is not expected to have any material
effect upon the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information concerning the directors
and executive officers of the Company.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                      AGE                    POSITION
- ------------------------------------------   ---   ------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>   <C>
 
Paul N. Arnold (1)........................    50   President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                                   Director
 
Edward J. Baer, Jr........................    52   Vice President--Human Resources &
                                                   Corporate Risk Management and Secretary
 
Anthony J. Bellerdine.....................    47   Group Vice President
 
Michael G. Connors........................    39   Vice President--Real Estate
 
Charles M. Egan (1).......................    59   Chairman and Director
 
Kenneth W. Hemm...........................    42   Group Vice President
 
Steven D. Jobes...........................    46   Vice President--Marketing, Merchandising,
                                                   Sales & National Accounts
 
Lloyd Lenson..............................    45   Group Vice President
 
Frank Martini.............................    47   Group Vice President/President, General
                                                   Furniture Leasing
 
Maureen C. Thune..........................    30   Controller and Assistant Secretary
 
Frances Ann Ziemniak......................    45   Vice President--Finance & Chief Financial
                                                   Officer
 
Keith E. Alessi (2).......................    41   Director
 
Bruce C. Bruckmann (2)(3).................    42   Director
 
Michael A. Delaney (3)....................    42   Director
 
Gregory B. Maffei (2).....................    36   Director
 
James A. Urry (3).........................    42   Director
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Member of Directors Stock Option Committee
 
(2) Member of Audit Committee
 
(3) Member of Compensation Committee
 
    Paul N. Arnold, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. Arnold
has been with the Company and Mohasco Corporation, its former parent, for 27
years, has held group management positions within the Company since 1976 and has
held his current position since July 1992.
 
    Edward J. Baer, Jr., Vice President--Human Resources & Corporate Risk
Management and Secretary. Mr. Baer has been with the Company for 22 years, and
has held his current position since January 1990 after having held a number of
senior human resource positions at the Company and Mohasco Corporation.
 
    Anthony J. Bellerdine, Group Vice President. Mr. Bellerdine has been with
the Company since July 1991. He was appointed Group Vice President in December
1994, having served as Area Vice President and Senior District Manager. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Bellerdine was Senior Vice President of Sales and
Marketing of Stern Office Furniture for eight years.
 
    Michael G. Connors, Vice President--Real Estate. Mr. Connors joined the
Company in February 1986, after nearly eight years in Real Estate and Marketing
with Mobil Oil Corporation and has served in his current position since March
1991.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    Charles M. Egan, Chairman and Director. Mr. Egan has been with the Company
since the acquisition of General Furniture in September 1993. Mr. Egan joined
General Furniture Leasing Company in 1989 and became its President and Chief
Executive Officer in 1992. From 1985 to 1989, Mr. Egan was Executive Vice
President of Mohasco Corporation. Mr. Egan was President of CFR from 1980-1985.
 
    Kenneth W. Hemm, Group Vice President. Mr. Hemm has been with the Company
for 16 years. He was appointed Group Vice President in June 1992, having served
as Regional Manager since January 1991.
 
    Steven D. Jobes, Vice President--Marketing, Merchandising, Sales & National
Accounts. Mr. Jobes has been with the Company for 24 years and served as a Group
Vice President, prior to assuming his current position in May 1993.
 
    Lloyd Lenson, Group Vice President. Mr. Lenson has been with the Company for
18 years serving in his current position since May 1993. He previously served as
Group Vice President and as Vice President--Marketing, Sales and Acquisitions.
 
    Frank Martini, Group Vice President/President, General Furniture
Leasing. Mr. Martini has been with the Company for 20 years serving in his
current position since July 1994. He previously served as Area General Manager
and District General Manager.
 
    Maureen C. Thune, Controller and Assistant Secretary. Ms. Thune joined the
Company in August 1992 after five years with KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, having most
recently served as a Manager.
 
    Frances Ann Ziemniak, Vice President--Finance and Chief Financial
Officer. Ms. Ziemniak joined the Company in March 1995 after three years as an
independent consultant focusing on risk-management and retail acquisition
analysis. Ms. Ziemniak was previously Vice President--Finance and Chief
Financial Officer for Federated Merchandising, a division of Federated
Department Stores, Inc. from 1987 to 1992 and Corporate Vice
President--Financial Services for The GAP, Inc. from 1982 to 1987. Before Ms.
Ziemniak joined The GAP, Inc. in 1979, she was employed by Arthur Young &
Company.
 
   
    Keith E. Alessi, Director. Mr. Alessi has been a director of the Company
since October 1993. Mr. Alessi was recently appointed as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Jackson Hewitt, Inc., of which he has been a director since
December 1995. Mr. Alessi has been Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of
Farm Fresh, Inc. since June 1994. He had previously served in various executive
capacities, including President, with Farm Fresh from 1988 to 1992. Mr. Alessi
was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Virginia Supermarkets, Inc., from
1992 to 1994.
    
 
    Bruce C. Bruckmann, Director. Mr. Bruckmann has been a director of the
Company since March 1993. Mr. Bruckmann was a Vice President of Citicorp Venture
Capital Ltd., which is a principal stockholder of the Company, through 1993 and
a Managing Director from 1993 through 1994. He currently is Managing Director of
Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co., Inc. He is also a Director of Mohawk
Industries, Inc., AmeriSource Health Corporation, Chromcraft-Revington, Inc. and
Jitney Jungle Stores of America, Inc.
 
    Michael A. Delaney, Director. Mr. Delaney has been a director of the Company
since May 1995. Mr. Delaney has been a Vice President of Citicorp Venture
Capital Ltd., which is a principal stockholder of the Company, since 1989. From
1986 through 1989 he was Vice President of Citicorp Mergers and Acquisitions.
Mr. Delaney is also a director of Sybron Chemicals, Inc., GVC Holdings, JAC
Holdings, Delco Remy International, Enterprise Media Inc., FF Holdings
Corporation, SC Processing, Inc., Triumph Holdings, Inc., Palomar Technologies,
Inc. and AmeriSource Health Corporation.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
    Gregory B. Maffei, Director. Mr. Maffei has been a director of the Company
since November 1995. He was a director of CFR from 1988 to 1992. Mr. Maffei has
been with Microsoft Corporation since April 1993, serving as Treasurer since
1994. Before joining Microsoft, he was self-employed from September 1992 to
March 1993, serving as a consultant for various companies including Microsoft.
From April 1991 to August 1992, he served as Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Pay 'N Pak Stores, Inc., which filed a voluntary bankruptcy petition
on September 21, 1991. Before joining Pay 'N Pak Stores, Inc., Mr. Maffei was a
Vice President of Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd., which is a principal
stockholder of the Company. Mr. Maffei is also a Director of Mobile
Telecommunications Technologies Corporation and Citrix Systems, Inc.
 
    James A. Urry, Director. Mr. Urry has been a director of the Company since
March 1993. Mr. Urry has been with Citibank, N.A. since 1981, serving as a Vice
President since 1986. He has been a Vice President of Citicorp Venture Capital
Ltd., which is a principal stockholder of the Company, since 1989. He is also a
Director of AmeriSource Health Corporation, FF Holdings Corporation, Hancor
Holding Corporation and York International Corporation.
 
                              -------------------
 
    The term of office of each director of the Company ends at the next annual
meeting of the Company's stockholders or when his or her successor is elected
and qualified. Executive officers of the Company serve at the discretion of the
Board of Directors.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The following table sets forth, for the fiscal years ended December 31,
1993, 1994, and 1995, certain information regarding the cash compensation paid
by the Company, as well as certain other compensation paid or accrued for those
years, to each of the five most highly compensated executive officers of the
Company, in all capacities in which they served:
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         LONG-TERM
                                                                        COMPENSATION
                                                                        ------------
                                            ANNUAL COMPENSATION          SECURITIES
                                        ----------------------------     UNDERLYING        ALL OTHER
    NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION         YEAR     SALARY     BONUS(1)      OPTIONS       COMPENSATION(2)
- -------------------------------------   ----    --------    --------    ------------    ---------------
<S>                                     <C>     <C>         <C>         <C>             <C>
Paul N. Arnold                          1995    $210,000    $145,593       128,467          $ 8,983
  President & Chief Executive Officer   1994     189,306     113,454       101,971            8,279
                                        1993     183,750     118,151            --            4,194
 
Edward J. Baer                          1995     105,121      61,317        19,750           31,337
  Vice President, Human Resources and   1994      98,769      50,451        40,251           18,619
  Corporate Risk Management             1993      93,769      46,069            --           16,849
 
Kenneth W. Hemm                         1995     125,591      74,639        67,667           26,284
  Group Vice President                  1994     117,573      69,070        53,669           19,477
                                        1993     107,239      61,869            --           16,969
Steven D. Jobes
  Vice President, Marketing,            1995     116,707      68,306        35,117               --
  Merchandising, Sales and National     1994     109,218      55,937        53,669              967
  Accounts                              1993     102,891      35,371            --              797
 
Lloyd Lenson                            1995     129,410      61,852        43,167            5,323
  Group Vice President                  1994     118,723      60,701        67,086            4,213
                                        1993     108,846      38,234            --            2,091
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) The amounts shown consist of cash bonuses earned in the fiscal year
    identified but paid in the subsequent fiscal year.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
(2) The Company maintains an investment and profit-sharing defined contribution
    retirement plan. All of the Company's employees are eligible to participate
    after one year of service. The Company makes a matching contribution as a
    percentage of the employee contributions. The Company may, at its
    discretion, make additional contributions based on the Company's
    performance. The amounts shown include both the matching contribution and
    the Company's discretionary payment on behalf of the named executives in
    which all of the above are fully vested. In addition, the amounts shown
    include the amounts allocated to certain management employees in the defined
    contribution portion of the CORT Furniture Rental Supplemental Executive
    Retirement Plan. The Company contributes a fixed dollar amount per plan
    member with the total contribution allocated among all plan members on the
    basis of their age and years of service.
 
STOCK OPTIONS
 
  Employee Stock Option and Stock Purchase Plan
 
    The Company adopted the Employee Stock Option and Stock Purchase Plan (the
"1994 Plan") which authorized the grant of options to purchase 966,040 shares of
Common Stock. Under the terms of the 1994 Plan, certain key employees of the
Company were granted, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, the right to
purchase varying amounts of the subordinated debt securities of the Company and
CFR (the "Debt Securities") and options to purchase Common Stock. The 1994 Plan
required a participant to purchase the Debt Securities in order to become
entitled to exercise options for Common Stock. In the fourth quarter of 1995,
all holders of the Debt Securities agreed to exchange all of their right, title
and interest in such securities for Common Stock of the Company. In connection
with such exchange, the requirement to purchase the Debt Securities was waived
and all options granted under the 1994 Plan became immediately exercisable.
 
    All shares of Common Stock acquired by a participant pursuant to the 1994
Plan (including those shares acquired in the exchange of Debt Securities for
Common Stock) are subject to the Company's right, at its option, to repurchase
those shares upon termination of such participant's employment prior to the
completion of a five-year vesting period for reasons other than retirement,
death, disability or termination without cause. The purchase price in such event
would equal the amount originally paid by such participant (upon exercise of the
underlying options or for the Debt Securities exchanged for such Common Stock,
as the case may be) without regard to appreciation in the value of the Common
Stock. A holder of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the 1994 Plan is entitled
to transfer such shares provided such holder remits to the Company to be held in
trust a portion of such holder's net proceeds upon such transfer. Any amounts so
held by the Company will be included in cash and reflected as a liability on the
Company's balance sheet. Any such proceeds held by the Company will be
distributed to the holder who remitted such proceeds to the Company, pro rata on
the anniversary dates of the option grants to such holder over the five-year
vesting period. A participant in the 1994 Plan who has remitted to the Company
proceeds upon the transfer of Common Stock and whose employment with the Company
is terminated prior to the completion of the five-year vesting period for
reasons other than retirement, death, disability or without cause, will forfeit
any of such proceeds then being held by the Company. Any forfeited proceeds will
be divided among the remaining participants at the end of the five-year vesting
period, and will be reflected by the Company as a compensation expense.
 
    The Company has granted options for all shares of Common Stock available
under the 1994 Plan, except that any shares of Common Stock that are reacquired
by the Company under the 1994 Plan or with respect to which the options lapse
may be the subject of a new grant to an employee of the Company under the 1994
Plan.
 
  1995 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan
 
    The Board of Directors adopted and the stockholders approved the 1995
Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan (the "1995 Plan"), the purpose of which
is to assist the Company in attracting and retaining valued personnel by
offering them a greater stake in the Company's success and a closer
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
identity with the Company, and to encourage ownership of the Company's Common
Stock by such personnel. The 1995 Plan became effective October 31, 1995.
 
    The 1995 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors. The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for
awards under the 1995 Plan is 577,427 shares. Awards under the 1995 Plan may be
made to officers and key employees of the Company. No awards can be made under
the 1995 Plan after October 31, 1997.
 
Deferred and Restricted Stock
 
    The Compensation Committee may grant shares of Common Stock in the form of
either Deferred Stock or Restricted Stock. In a Deferred Stock award, the
Company agrees to deliver, subject to certain conditions, a fixed number of
shares of Common Stock at the end of a specified deferral period or periods.
During such period, the holder has no rights as a stockholder with respect to
any such shares. Amounts equal to any dividends declared during the deferral
period with respect to such Deferred Stock will either be paid to the holder,
reinvested in additional shares of Deferred Stock or otherwise reinvested, as
determined by the Compensation Committee at the time of the award. In a
Restricted Stock award, the Compensation Committee grants to eligible personnel
shares of Common Stock that are subject to certain restrictions, including
forfeiture of such stock upon the happening of certain events. During the
restriction period, holders of Restricted Stock have the right to receive
dividends from and to vote the shares of Restricted Stock.
 
Options and SARS
 
    Options granted under the 1995 Plan may be either incentive stock options
("ISOs") or non-qualified stock options (together, the "Options"). ISOs are
intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section
422 of the Internal Revenue Code. Unless an Option is specifically designated at
the time of grant as an ISO, Options under the 1995 Plan will be non-qualified
options. The exercise price of the Options will be determined by the
Compensation Committee, although the exercise price of an ISO will be at least
100% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date the Option
is granted, or at least 110% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock
on the date the Option is granted if the recipient owns, directly or indirectly,
shares possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock of the Company. The Compensation Committee may grant stock
appreciation rights ("SARs") in tandem with all or a portion of a related Option
under the 1995 Plan (a "Tandem SAR") or may grant SARs separately (a
"Freestanding SAR"). Each SAR entitles the holder to receive payment in cash, in
shares of Common Stock, Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock, or any combination
thereof, as determined by the Compensation Committee, equal to the excess of the
fair market value on the date of exercise of the shares of Common Stock covered
by the SAR over the base price of the SAR. The base price of a Tandem SAR is the
option price under the related Option. The base price of a Freestanding SAR is
at least 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant
of the Freestanding SAR. A Tandem SAR may be granted either at the time of the
grant of the Option or at any time thereafter during the term of the option and
is exercisable only to the extent that the related Option is exercisable.
 
    The exercise of either a Tandem SAR or an Option related to a Tandem SAR, as
to some or all of the shares of Common Stock covered by such grant,
automatically cancels to the extent of the number of shares of Common Stock
actually covered by such exercise, the number of shares covered respectively by
the Related Option or Tandem SAR.
 
    The maximum term of an Option or SAR granted under the 1995 Plan shall not
exceed ten years from the date of grant or five years from the date of grant if
the recipient on the date of grant owns, directly or indirectly, shares
possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company. No Option or SAR may be exercisable sooner than six months
from the date the Option or SAR is granted.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
  Options Granted
 
    The following table sets forth information regarding stock options granted
under the 1994 Plan and 1995 Plan during the fiscal year 1995 to the named
executive officers of the Company:
 
                             OPTION GRANTS IN 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                  INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                                  VALUE AT ASSUMED
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------       ANNUAL RATES OF
                                NUMBER OF                                                              STOCK PRICE
                                SECURITIES    PERCENT OF TOTAL                                         APPRECIATION
                                UNDERLYING    OPTIONS GRANTED                                       FOR OPTION TERM(2)
                                 OPTIONS      TO EMPLOYEES IN     EXERCISE PRICE    EXPIRATION    ----------------------
NAME                    PLAN    GRANTED(1)      FISCAL YEAR        (PER SHARE)         DATE          5%          10%
- ---------------------   ----    ----------    ----------------    --------------    ----------    --------    ----------
<S>                     <C>     <C>           <C>                 <C>               <C>           <C>         <C>
Paul N. Arnold          1994       13,417            5.5%             $1.098          02/01/05    $  9,265    $   23,480
                        1995      115,050           26.2%             $12.00          11/15/05     868,252     2,200,321
 
Edward J. Baer          1995       19,750            4.5%             $12.00          11/15/05     149,048       377,717
 
Kenneth W. Hemm         1994       13,417            5.5%             $1.098          02/01/05       9,265        23,480
                        1995       54,250           12.3%             $12.00          11/15/05     409,410     1,037,526
 
Steven D. Jobes         1994        5,367            2.2%             $1.098          02/01/05       3,706         9,392
                        1995       29,750            6.8%             $12.00          11/15/05     224,515       568,966
 
Lloyd Lenson            1994       13,417            5.5%             $1.098          02/01/05       9,265        23,480
                        1995       29,750            6.8%             $12.00          11/15/05     224,515       568,966
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1) Options under the 1994 Plan are unrestricted and exercisable. Options under
    the 1995 Plan are exercisable when vested. No options under the 1995 Plan
    were vested at December 31, 1995.
 
(2) Amounts represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved for the
    respective options if exercised at the end of the option term. These gains
    are based on assumed rates of stock appreciation of 5% and 10%, compounded
    annually from the date the respective options were granted to their
    expiration date and are not presented to forecast possible future
    appreciation, if any, in the Common Stock. The potential realizable values
    shown are net of the option exercise price, but do not include deductions
    for taxes or other expenses associated with the exercise of the options or
    the sale of the underlying shares. The actual realizable values, if any, on
    the stock option exercises will depend on the future performance of the
    Common Stock, the optionee's continued employment through applicable vesting
    periods and the date on which the options are exercised.
 
    The following table sets forth information regarding 1995 year-end option
values for the named executive officers of the Company; none of such individuals
exercised options during 1995:
 
                     AGGREGATED 1995 YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   NUMBER OF SECURITIES            VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                  UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED           IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                                OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR END          AT FISCAL YEAR END
                                               ----------------------------    ----------------------------
NAME                                           EXERCISABLE    UNEXERCISABLE    EXERCISABLE    UNEXERCISABLE
- --------------------------------------------   -----------    -------------    -----------    -------------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>
Paul N. Arnold..............................      62,406         115,050       $ 1,002,292      $ 517,725
Edward J. Baer..............................      28,375          19,750           460,845         88,875
Kenneth W. Hemm.............................      22,616          54,250           356,052        244,125
Steven D. Jobes.............................      57,462          29,750           928,751        133,875
Lloyd Lenson................................      38,757          29,750           618,202        133,875
</TABLE>
 
SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
 
    The Cort Furniture Rental Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP
Plan") provides a supplement to the retirement benefits that certain key
management employees will receive from the Retirement Plan for Salaried and
Sales Employees of Mohasco Corporation (the "Mohasco Plan") and
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
the Cort Furniture Rental Investment Savings and Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
(the "401(k) Plan"). The SERP Plan consists of a defined benefit plan and a
defined contribution plan.
 
    Certain key management employees of the Company with at least five years of
service (employment) have been selected by the Board of Directors as
participants in the defined benefit portion of the SERP Plan. Such officers
include Messrs. Arnold, Lenson and Jobes. The defined SERP Plan benefits are a
function of service with the Company and Final Average Compensation (average
monthly compensation during the 36 consecutive months out of the last 60 months
of the participant's employment that produce the highest average). Compensation
includes salary, bonuses and 401(k) Plan salary deferrals. Benefits are equal to
a targeted percentage as determined by the Board of Directors upon selection of
the employee to participate in the SERP Plan--(55% in the case of Mr. Arnold and
50% in the case of Mr. Jobes and Mr. Lenson) of the Final Average Compensation
as of the date of the participant's retirement or termination of employment
multiplied by the ratio of the participant's actual years of service as of the
applicable event to the participant's years of service projected to the
participant's Normal Retirement Date (first day of the month after the date the
participant attains age 65). The benefits are reduced by (i) the annuity value
of Company contributions made on behalf of the participant to the 401(k) Plan
and (ii) the annuity benefit, on a single life basis only, payable to the
participant under the Mohasco Plan.
 
    The estimated annual benefits payable upon retirement, expressed as a
straight life annuity, before reduction for the 401(k) Plan or the Mohasco Plan,
are as follows:
 
                            TARGETED PERCENTAGE: 55%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       YEARS OF SERVICE
                 ------------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION        15           20           25           30           35
- ------------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
<S>              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
  $125,000       $ 65,528     $ 65,528     $ 65,528     $ 65,528     $ 65,528
   150,000         78,634       78,634       78,634       78,634       78,634
   175,000         91,739       91,739       91,739       91,739       91,739
   200,000        104,845      104,845      104,845      104,845      104,845
   225,000        117,951      117,951      117,951      117,951      117,951
   250,000        131,056      131,056      131,056      131,056      131,056
   300,000        157,268      157,268      157,268      157,268      157,268
   400,000        209,690      209,690      209,690      209,690      209,690
   450,000        235,901      235,901      235,901      235,901      235,901
   500,000        262,113      262,113      262,113      262,113      262,113
</TABLE>
 
                            TARGETED PERCENTAGE: 50%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       YEARS OF SERVICE
                 ------------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION        15           20           25           30           35
- ------------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
<S>              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
  $125,000       $ 59,571     $ 59,571     $ 59,571     $ 59,571     $ 59,571
   150,000         71,485       71,485       71,485       71,485       71,485
   175,000         83,399       83,399       83,399       83,399       83,399
   200,000         95,314       95,314       95,314       95,314       95,314
   225,000        107,228      107,228      107,228      107,228      107,228
   250,000        119,142      119,142      119,142      119,142      119,142
   300,000        142,971      142,971      142,971      142,971      142,971
   400,000        190,627      190,627      190,627      190,627      190,627
   450,000        214,456      214,456      214,456      214,456      214,456
   500,000        238,284      238,284      238,284      238,284      238,284
</TABLE>
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
    As of December 31, 1995, Mr. Arnold was credited with 27 years of service,
Mr. Jobes with 24 years of service and Mr. Lenson with 18 years of service.
 
    Other key management employees have been selected by the Board of Directors
as participants in the defined contribution portion of the SERP Plan. Such
officers include Mr. Baer and Mr. Hemm. Defined contribution benefits are equal
to the balance in an executive's SERP Account (the annual contribution credited
to such executive's account, adjusted to reflect gains, losses or forfeitures
incurred), as of the last day of the month in which the executive attained age
65.
 
    A participant in either the defined benefit or defined contribution portion
of the SERP Plan whose employment with the Company is terminated without Cause
(i.e., other than as a result of willful gross misconduct materially or
demonstrably injurious to the Company or willful refusal to perform
substantially the duties reasonably assigned to him) or who has a substantial
reduction in duties and responsibilities or in compensation will vest
immediately in his SERP Plan benefit. In addition, such a participant (other
than the Chief Executive Officer) will be entitled to receive a lump sum payment
equal to the amount of compensation he received during the final six or 12
months based on length of service (12 months in the case of Messrs. Arnold,
Baer, Hemm, Jobes and Lenson) prior to such event. The Chief Executive Officer
is entitled to a severance payment of twice this amount. Amounts paid by the
Company under any employment agreement or other severance arrangement will
reduce the severance payment under the SERP Plan. In addition, the Company and
Mr. Arnold have agreed that one-half of his severance payment will be paid in a
lump sum and the remaining half will be paid in eighteen equal monthly
installments commencing one month after the date of his termination. Each
participant in the SERP Plan has agreed not to compete with the Company for a
period of 18 months following the termination of his employment with the Company
unless such participant's employment was terminated without Cause.
 
DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION
 
    Directors who are not employees of the Company or Citicorp Venture Capital
Ltd. receive a monthly payment of $1,000, $500 for attendance at each meeting of
the Board of Directors and $500 for attendance at each meeting of a committee of
the Board of Directors and are reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection
with attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors or committees thereof. In
addition, directors not employed by the Company may also be entitled to receive
options for common stock pursuant to the 1995 Directors Stock Option Plan (the
"Directors Plan").
 
    The Company adopted the Directors Plan, which provides for the granting of
stock options on a non-discretionary basis to non-employee directors of the
Company. An aggregate of 50,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for
issuance under the Directors Plan. The Directors Plan provides for automatic
grants of an option to purchase shares of common stock to non-employee directors
on November 15, 1995 and 1996, which options will become exercisable over time.
The option exercise price will be equal to 100% of the fair market value of the
common stock on the date of grant of the option. Options granted to directors
under the Directors Plan will be treated as nonstatutory stock options under the
Internal Revenue Code, as amended. The Company granted 21,000 options in 1995
pursuant to the terms of the Directors Plan.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of May 31, 1996, by (i) each person
known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each director and named executive
officer of the Company, and (iii) all executive officers and directors of the
Company as a group. Unless otherwise noted, the Company believes all persons
named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them. This information gives effect
to the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days and warrants by the
certain stockholders listed herein, and is adjusted to reflect the sale of the
shares offered by this Prospectus, assuming no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PERCENT OF COMMON
                                                                                       STOCK OWNED
                                                                                 -----------------------
                                                     NUMBER OF SHARES(1)         BEFORE THE    AFTER THE
                                                     BENEFICIALLY OWNED           OFFERING     OFFERING
                                                     -------------------         ----------    ---------
<S>                                                  <C>                         <C>           <C>
FIVE PERCENT STOCKHOLDER
Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd.(2)..................        5,778,518                 54.4%         46.9%
  399 Park Avenue, 14th Floor
  New York, New York 10043
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Bruce C. Bruckmann................................          161,405                  1.5           1.3
Paul N. Arnold....................................          129,412(3)               1.2           1.0
Lloyd Lenson......................................           93,503(3)                 *             *
Kenneth W. Hemm...................................           79,516(3)                 *             *
Charles M. Egan...................................           64,116(3)                 *             *
Steven D. Jobes...................................           60,812(3)                 *             *
Edward J. Baer....................................           45,277(3)                 *             *
Keith E. Alessi...................................           43,659                    *             *
Gregory B. Maffei.................................           33,525                    *             *
James A. Urry.....................................           22,403(4)                 *             *
Michael A. Delaney................................            5,875                    *             *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group
  (16 persons)....................................          876,719(3)(4)            8.0           6.9
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
* Less than 1%.
 
(1) The Company has two authorized classes of common stock: Common Stock
    (voting) and Class B Common Stock (nonvoting); however, there are no shares
    of the Company's Class B Common Stock issued or outstanding.
 
(2) CVC is a party to an agreement with the Company, dated March 30, 1993,
    pursuant to which CVC is required by April 1, 1999 (or such later date as
    the Small Business Administration may approve) to reduce (by conversion to
    non-voting stock or other disposition) its ownership of the Company's Common
    Stock (voting) to a percentage at which CVC will no longer be presumed to
    have "control" of the Company under regulations of the Small Business
    Administration. In general, the presumption of control exists so long as a
    person holds 20% or more of the issuer's outstanding voting Common Stock.
 
(3) Includes shares under option of 62,406; 28,375; 26,834; 22,617; 57,462 and
    38,757 for Messrs. Arnold, Baer, Egan, Hemm, Jobes, and Lenson,
    respectively, and 326,757 in total for all Directors and Officers as a
    group.
 
(4) Includes shares which would be owned upon exercise of 36,400 warrants for
    5,933 shares owned by Mr. Urry.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
    Upon consummation of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding
12,325,530 shares of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock to be sold in the
Offering made hereby will be freely tradeable without restriction under the
Securities Act, unless acquired by an "affiliate" of the Company (defined in
Rule 144 under the Securities Act, generally, as a person who, by virtue of
equity ownership or otherwise, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, the Company). The Company and its directors and executive officers
and CVC (who in the aggregate held 6,322,547 outstanding shares of Common Stock
at May 31, 1996) have agreed, except as described below, not to offer, sell,
contract to sell or otherwise dispose of in a public sale, public distribution
or other public disposition, any shares of Common Stock or any securities
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, other than the
shares subject to the Underwriters' over-allotment option, without the prior
written consent of Smith Barney Inc., for a period of 90 days after the date of
this Prospectus (collectively, the "Lock-up Agreements"). Such persons have
further agreed not to transfer any such securities in one or a series of private
sales unless the transferee(s) agrees to be bound by the same restrictions for
the remainder of the 90 day term. The Underwriters have agreed that Messrs.
Arnold, Egan and Jobes may sell up to 20,000, 22,000 and 15,000 shares,
respectively, after 15 days following the date of the Prospectus. No predictions
can be made as to the effect, if any, that market sales of shares of existing
stockholders or the availability of such shares for future sale will have on the
market price of shares of Common Stock prevailing from time to time. The
prevailing market price of the Common Stock after the Offering could be
adversely affected by future sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock by
existing stockholders or by the perception that such future sales are likely.
See "Principal Stockholders" and "Underwriting."
 
    Shares of Common Stock held by affiliates and restricted securities may not
be sold unless they are registered under the Securities Act or are sold pursuant
to an applicable exemption from registration, including the exemption from
registration set forth in Rule 144 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Generally, subject to the provisions of the
Lock-up Agreements, Rule 144 will permit an affiliate or a person who has held
restricted securities for more than two years to sell within any three-month
period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of 1% of the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock or the average weekly trading volume of such
stock during the four calendar weeks preceding such sale, provided that the
Company has either filed certain periodic reports with the Commission or made
publicly available certain information concerning it and provided that such
sales are made in normal "brokers' transactions" or in transactions directly
with a "market maker" without the solicitation of buy orders by the brokers or
such affiliates. A person who is deemed not to be an affiliate of the Company at
any time during the three months preceding a sale and who has held restricted
securities for more than three years may sell such shares under Rule 144 without
regard to the volume limitations described.
 
    The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
"CBS." The holders of Common Stock prior to the IPO were granted piggyback
registration rights with respect to the Common Stock when they purchased their
shares. In addition, CVC has been granted demand rights to require the
registration of its shares. Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the
public market under Rule 144 or the perception that such future sales are likely
could have an adverse effect on the price of the Common Stock.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    Upon the terms and subject to the conditions stated in the Underwriting
Agreement dated the date hereof, each Underwriter named below has severally
agreed to purchase, and the Company has agreed to sell to such Underwriter, the
number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite the name of such
Underwriter.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    NUMBER
                                                                      OF
UNDERWRITER                                                         SHARES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ---------
<S>                                                                <C>
Smith Barney Inc................................................
Montgomery Securities...........................................
 
                                                                   ---------
Total...........................................................   1,700,000
                                                                   ---------
                                                                   ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several
Underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares are subject to
approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions.
The Underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all shares of Common Stock
offered hereby (other than those covered by the over-allotment option described
below) if any such shares are taken.
 
    The Underwriters, for whom Smith Barney Inc. and Montgomery Securities are
acting as Representatives, propose to offer part of the shares directly to the
public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus and part of the shares to certain dealers at a price that represents
a concession not in excess of $   per share under the public offering price. The
Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess
of $   per share to certain other dealers. After the Offering, the public
offering price and such concessions may be changed by the Underwriters. The
Representatives of the Underwriters have advised the Company that the
Underwriters do not intend to confirm any shares to any accounts over which they
exercise discretionary authority.
 
    The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable for 30
days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to 255,000 additional
shares of Common Stock at the price to the public set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus minus the underwriting discounts and commissions. The
Underwriters may exercise such option solely for the purpose of covering
over-allotments, if any, in connection with the offering of the shares offered
hereby. To the extent such option is exercised, each Underwriter will be
obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same
percentage of such additional shares as the number of shares set forth opposite
each Underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to the total number of
shares listed in such table.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
    The Company and its executive officers and directors and CVC have agreed,
except as described below, that, for a period of 90 days from the date of this
Prospectus, they will not, without the prior written consent of Smith Barney
Inc., offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose in a public sale,
public distribution or other public disposition, any shares of Common Stock of
the Company or any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable
for, any class of Common Stock of the Company. The Underwriters have agreed that
Messrs. Arnold, Egan and Jobes may sell up to 20,000, 22,000 and 15,000 shares,
respectively, after 15 days following the date of the Prospectus.
 
    The Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, have
agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Company by Dechert Price &
Rhoads, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and for the Underwriters by Latham &
Watkins, New York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The consolidated financial statements and schedules of the Company as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994, and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994,
the nine months ended December 31, 1993, and the financial statements and
schedule of CFR for the three months ended March 31, 1993, included or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement
have been included or incorporated by reference herein and in the Registration
Statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration
Statement, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
    The consolidated financial statements of Evans Rents as of December 31, 1995
and 1994, and for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, included in this
Prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been included herein and in
the Registration Statement in reliance on the report of Ernst & Young LLP,
independent certified accountants, appearing elsewhere herein and in the
Registration Statement, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement (the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the
securities offered by this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not contain all of
the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which
are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For
further information with respect to the Company and the Offering, reference is
made to the Registration Statement, including the exhibits filed therewith,
which may be inspected without charge at the Commission's principal office at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of the Registration
Statement may be obtained from the Commission at its principal office upon
payment of prescribed fees. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the
contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete and,
where the contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, each such statement is qualified in all respects by
reference to the applicable document filed with the Commission.
 
    The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act, and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the
Commission. Such reports and other information, when filed, can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at the Commission's regional offices
located at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York, 10048 and
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661
and inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10005. Copies of such material can be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
    The following documents heretofore filed by the Company with the Commission
(File No. 1-14146) pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by
reference:
 
        (i) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
    31, 1995;
 
        (ii) the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
    March 31, 1996;
 
        (iii) the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated May 9, 1996 and on
    Form 8-K/A dated June 13, 1996; and
 
        (iv) the description of the capital stock of the Company included in the
    Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A, filed on December 18, 1995.
 
    All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the Offering made hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus and to be part hereof from the date of filing of
such documents.
 
   
    Certain information incorporated by reference herein contains
forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the
Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking
statements include the benefits expected to result from the integration of Evans
Rents into CORT's West Coast region including improvements in operating margins
and leveraging of the Company's fixed costs and infrastructure over a larger
revenue base. Certain factors as discussed in "Risk Factors" could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
    
 
    Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.
Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
    To the extent that any proxy statement is incorporated by reference herein,
such incorporation shall not include any information contained in such proxy
statement that is not, pursuant to the Commission's rules, deemed to be "filed"
with the Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange
Act.
 
    The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy
of any or all of the documents incorporated herein by reference (other than 
exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into such documents). Any such request should be directed to the Vice 
President--Finance, CORT Business Services Corporation, 4401 Fair Lakes Court, 
Suite 300, Fairfax, Virginia 22033 (telephone number (703) 968-8500).
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996..................     F-2
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended
  March 31, 1995 and 1996............................................................     F-3
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended
  March 31, 1995 and 1996............................................................     F-4
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.......................     F-5
 
Independent Auditors' Report.........................................................     F-7
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995.........................     F-8
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 1993, the
  nine months ended December 31, 1993, and the years ended December 31, 1994 and
  1995...............................................................................     F-9
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the three months ended
  March 31, 1993, the nine months ended December 31, 1993, and the years ended
  December 31, 1994 and 1995.........................................................    F-10
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 1993, the
  nine months ended December 31, 1993, and the years ended December 31, 1994 and
  1995...............................................................................    F-11
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...........................................    F-12
 
EVANS RENTS
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996..................    F-25
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended
  March 31, 1995 and 1996............................................................    F-26
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended
  March 31, 1995 and 1996............................................................    F-27
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.......................    F-28
 
Report of Independent Auditors.......................................................    F-29
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995.........................    F-30
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1994 and
  1995...............................................................................    F-31
 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Deficit for the years ended December 31,
  1994 and 1995......................................................................    F-32
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1994 and
  1995...............................................................................    F-33
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...........................................    F-34
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
              CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     MARCH 31,
                                                                                       1996
                                                                                    -----------
<S>                                                                                 <C>
ASSETS
 
Cash and cash equivalents........................................................    $  --
Accounts receivable, net.........................................................         7,027
Prepaid expenses.................................................................         3,927
Rental furniture, net............................................................       110,932
Property, plant and equipment, net...............................................        32,282
Other receivables and assets, net................................................         2,896
Goodwill, net....................................................................        24,587
                                                                                    -----------
 
      Total assets...............................................................    $  181,651
                                                                                    -----------
                                                                                    -----------
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Liabilities:
      Accounts payable...........................................................    $    4,625
      Accrued expenses...........................................................        17,976
      Deferred revenue and security deposits.....................................        12,119
      Revolving credit facility, secured.........................................         8,653
      Senior notes, 12%..........................................................        50,000
      Deferred income taxes......................................................         9,697
                                                                                    -----------
        Total liabilities........................................................       103,070
 
Stockholders' equity.............................................................        78,581
                                                                                    -----------
 
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.................................    $  181,651
                                                                                    -----------
                                                                                    -----------
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
              CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                MARCH 31,
                                                                            ------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>        <C>
                                                                             1995       1996
                                                                            -------    -------
Revenue:
 
  Furniture rental.......................................................   $33,815    $38,555
  Furniture sales........................................................    10,316     10,214
                                                                            -------    -------
 
      Total revenue......................................................    44,131     48,769
 
Operating costs and expenses:
 
  Cost of furniture rental...............................................     6,487      7,438
  Cost of furniture sales................................................     6,203      5,938
  Selling, general and administrative expenses...........................    25,189     28,221
                                                                            -------    -------
      Total costs and expenses...........................................    37,879     41,597
                                                                            -------    -------
 
      Operating earnings.................................................     6,252      7,172
 
Interest expense.........................................................     4,145      1,781
                                                                            -------    -------
  Income before income taxes.............................................     2,107      5,391
Income taxes.............................................................       912      2,231
                                                                            -------    -------
 
  Net income.............................................................   $ 1,195    $ 3,160
                                                                            -------    -------
                                                                            -------    -------
 
Earnings per common share................................................   $  0.25    $  0.27
 
Weighted average number of common shares used in computation.............     7,239     11,631
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
              CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
           UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                MARCH 31,
                                                                          ----------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>
                                                                            1995         1996
                                                                          ---------    ---------
 
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income...........................................................   $   1,195    $   3,160
  Proceeds of disposals of rental furniture in excess of gross
profit.................................................................       6,130        5,767
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
    operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization:
      Rental furniture depreciation....................................       4,476        5,351
      Other depreciation...............................................         605          721
      Goodwill amortization............................................         165          165
      Amortization of debt issuance costs..............................         189          165
      Discount on junior subordinated debentures.......................          15       --
    Current period interest converted to debt..........................         621       --
    Rental furniture inventory shrinkage...............................         287          338
    Changes in operating accounts, net.................................      (2,843)        (293)
                                                                          ---------    ---------
      Net cash provided by operating activities........................      10,840       15,374
                                                                          ---------    ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchases of rental furniture........................................     (14,968)     (18,647)
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment...........................      (1,119)      (1,982)
  Sales of property, plant and equipment...............................           4           23
  Purchase of short-term investments...................................        (870)      --
                                                                          ---------    ---------
        Net cash used by investing activities..........................     (16,953)     (20,606)
                                                                          ---------    ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Repayments on the line of credit.....................................      --           (4,200)
  Borrowings on the line of credit.....................................      --            9,053
  Issuance of common stock.............................................           8       --
                                                                          ---------    ---------
    Net cash provided by financing activities..........................           8        4,853
                                                                          ---------    ---------
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents..........................      (6,105)        (379)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.......................      13,161          379
                                                                          ---------    ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.............................   $   7,056    $  --
                                                                          ---------    ---------
                                                                          ---------    ---------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
  Debentures issued in lieu of cash interest...........................   $   1,865    $  --
  Interest paid........................................................       6,019        3,072
  Income taxes paid....................................................         126          997
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
              CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
         NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 MARCH 31, 1996
 
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of only
normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated
financial position of CORT Business Services Corporation ("CORT" or the
"Company") and Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1996, and the results of its
operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995.
The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 1996 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited, and do not
include all related footnote disclosures.
 
    The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be
read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included
herein.
 
(2) INCOME TAXES
 
    The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has examined the Federal income tax
returns of CORT Furniture Rental Corporation ("CFR") for the years 1989 through
June 30, 1992 and has proposed certain adjustments to CFR's taxable income,
relating primarily to methods of depreciation, period of cost recovery and
certain capitalized financing fees. If successfully asserted by the IRS, the
proposed adjustments would result in approximately $21 million of additional tax
liability, including accrued interest through March 31, 1996. During September
1995, the Company agreed in principle with the IRS appeals officer handling the
administrative appeal of the examination as to a method of settlement of the
proposed adjustments. The method agreed to in principle will not result in any
additional financial statement tax expenses, as the Company's reserves included
in deferred income taxes are adequate to cover such expenses, and will not
require the Company to alter its methods of depreciation or cost recovery
period. The Company will be required to make a payment to the IRS and certain
state jurisdictions for income and franchise tax purposes. The total amount of
the proposed settlement is approximately $3 million, including interest through
March 31, 1996. In February 1996, the Company made an initial deposit of
approximately $925,000 to the IRS. This agreement is only an agreement in
principle, however, and is subject to final IRS approval, and thus could change.
A final settlement will become effective only upon approval by the appropriate
IRS personnel and execution of definitive settlement documentation.
 
    The Company has received notification that the IRS is challenging certain
deductions taken by a consolidated tax group of which CFR was previously a
member (the "Former Group") in connection with the examination of the
consolidated Federal income tax returns of the Former Group for the year ended
December 31, 1988 and subsequent years. The IRS challenge includes the assertion
that certain interest deductions taken by the Former Group should be
recharacterized as non-deductible dividend distributions and that deductions for
certain expenses related to the acquisition of CFR's former parent be
disallowed. The IRS could seek to recover from the Company (as well as from
other Former Group members) the full amount of any resulting tax liability
relating to periods while CFR was a member of the Former Group, which could be
as much as approximately $29 million for that year, including interest through
March 31, 1996. CFR's former parent, under the agreement of sale for CFR, agreed
to indemnify the Company in full for any consolidated tax liability of the
Former Group for years while CFR was a member of the Former Group. Further, the
Company may have rights of contribution against members of the Former Group if
the Company were required to pay more than its equitable share of any
consolidated tax liability. CFR's former parent has stated that it believes the
IRS's position with respect to these proposed disallowances is unjustified and
is contesting the matter vigorously. Due
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
              CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
         NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (CONTINUED)
                                 MARCH 31, 1996
 
to the preliminary nature of the IRS challenge, the Company is not in a position
to determine the probable outcome and its impact on the Company, if any.
 
(3) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
    On April 24, 1996, the Company acquired Evans Rents a provider of rental
furniture in California for approximately $27,000,000 excluding costs of
acquisition. The acquisition, which was financed through borrowings on the
Company's revolving credit facility, will be accounted for as a purchase
business combination.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Stockholders and Board of Directors
  CORT Business Services Corporation and Subsidiary:
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CORT
Business Services Corporation and subsidiary (the "Successor"), as of December
31, 1995 and 1994, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1995 and
1994 and the nine months ended December 31, 1993 (the "Successor periods"), and
the statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows of
CORT Furniture Rental Corporation (the "Predecessor") for the three months ended
March 31, 1993 (the "Predecessor period"). These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Companies' management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards 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. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the aforementioned Successor consolidated financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
CORT Business Services Corporation and subsidiary as of December 31, 1995 and
1994, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the Successor
periods, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Further,
in our opinion, the aforementioned Predecessor financial statements present
fairly, in all material respects, the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the Predecessor period, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
    As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective
March 31, 1993, CORT Business Services Corporation acquired all of the
outstanding stock of CORT Furniture Rental Corporation in a business combination
accounted for as a purchase. As a result of the acquisition, the consolidated
financial information for the periods after the acquisition is presented on a
different cost basis than that for the period before the acquisition and,
therefore, is not comparable.
 
    As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the
Predecessor adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, as of January 1, 1993.
 
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Washington, D.C.
February 12, 1996
  except as to Note 14
  which is as of March 15, 1996
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          1994            1995
                                                                      ------------    ------------
 
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>
                                              ASSETS
 
Cash and cash equivalents..........................................     $ 13,161        $    379
Short-term investments.............................................        4,024          --
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $917
  and $938 in 1994 and 1995, respectively..........................        5,472           6,019
Prepaid expenses...................................................        2,975           3,973
Rental furniture, net (note 2).....................................       92,432         103,741
Property, plant and equipment, net (note 5)........................       29,537          31,044
Other receivables and assets, net..................................        5,260           3,814
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $1,055 and $1,717 in
1994 and 1995, respectively (notes 1 and 13).......................       25,414          24,752
                                                                      ------------    ------------
 
                                                                        $178,275        $173,722
                                                                      ------------    ------------
                                                                      ------------    ------------
 
                               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Accounts payable...................................................     $  4,539        $  3,597
Rental security deposits...........................................        4,774           5,761
Accrued expenses (note 11).........................................       22,153          19,096
Deferred rental revenue............................................        4,887           5,425
Long-term debt (notes 1 and 7).....................................      123,645          53,800
Deferred income taxes (note 6).....................................       11,314          10,622
                                                                      ------------    ------------
 
      Total liabilities............................................      171,312          98,301
                                                                      ------------    ------------
 
Commitments and contingencies (notes 6, 8, 10 and 14)
Stockholders' equity (notes 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, and 12):
  Common Stock, voting, $.01 par value, 15,500,000 shares
    authorized, 4,159,307 shares issued and outstanding and
    10,415,367 issued and outstanding..............................           42             104
  Common Stock, Class B, nonvoting, $.01 par value, 15,500,000
    shares authorized, and none issued and outstanding.............       --              --
  Additional paid-in capital.......................................        1,062          67,383
  Accumulated earnings.............................................        5,859           7,934
                                                                      ------------    ------------
 
      Total stockholders' equity...................................        6,963          75,421
                                                                      ------------    ------------
                                                                        $178,275        $173,722
                                                                      ------------    ------------
                                                                      ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             PREDECESSOR                CORT BUSINESS SERVICES
                                             ------------    --------------------------------------------
                                             THREE MONTHS    NINE MONTHS
                                                ENDED           ENDED         YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                              MARCH 31,      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                 1993            1993            1994            1995
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Revenue:
  Furniture rental........................     $ 21,497        $ 79,002        $130,026        $141,988
  Furniture sales.........................        6,228          21,846          34,534          37,321
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
 
    Total revenue.........................       27,725         100,848         164,560         179,309
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
 
Operating costs and expenses:
  Cost of furniture rental................        4,046          15,684          25,771          27,950
  Cost of furniture sales.................        3,680          13,130          20,649          22,203
  Employee, delivery and advertising
expenses..................................       11,484          41,193          66,256          72,379
  Occupancy, utilities and nonrental
depreciation..............................        2,737           9,776          16,370          16,724
  Amortization of goodwill................          471             373             682             662
  Other operating expenses................        2,087           7,648          12,218          12,670
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
 
    Total costs and expenses..............       24,505          87,804         141,946         152,588
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
 
    Operating earnings....................        3,220          13,044          22,614          26,721
 
Interest expense, net.....................          879           8,941          16,246          15,917
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
    Income before income taxes and
extraordinary loss........................        2,341           4,103           6,368          10,804
 
Income tax expense (note 6)...............          365           1,790           2,822           4,586
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
 
Income before extraordinary loss..........        1,976           2,313           3,546           6,218
 
Extraordinary loss on early retirement of
  debt, net of income tax benefit of
  $2,762 (notes 6 and 7)..................       --              --              --               4,143
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
 
    Net income............................     $  1,976        $  2,313        $  3,546        $  2,075
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
Earnings per common share before
extraordinary loss........................                                     $   0.81        $   1.08
Extraordinary loss per common share.......                                       --                0.53
                                                                             ------------    ------------
Earnings per common share.................                                     $   0.81        $   0.55
                                                                             ------------    ------------
                                                                             ------------    ------------
Weighted average number of common shares
used in computation.......................                                        7,049           7,759
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           TOTAL
                                          PREFERRED   COMMON     ADDITIONAL         ACCUMULATED        STOCKHOLDERS'
                                            STOCK     STOCK    PAID-IN CAPITAL   EARNINGS (DEFICIT)   EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                          ---------   ------   ---------------   ------------------   ----------------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>      <C>               <C>                  <C>
PREDECESSOR:
 
Balance, December 31, 1992..............     $ 1       $  3        $ 3,327            $(20,599)           $(17,268)
  Net income............................    --         --          --                    1,976               1,976
                                          ---------   ------   ---------------        --------            --------
Balance, March 31, 1993.................     $ 1       $  3        $ 3,327            $(18,623)           $(15,292)
                                          ---------   ------   ---------------        --------            --------
                                          ---------   ------   ---------------        --------            --------
                                                                              
 
CORT BUSINESS SERVICES:
 
  Initial capitalization................    -$-        $ 40        $   960            $--                 $  1,000
  Issuance of stock warrants............    --         --               28            --                        28
  Net income............................    --         --          --                    2,313               2,313
                                          ---------   ------   ---------------        --------            --------
 
Balance, December 31, 1993..............    --           40            988               2,313               3,341
 
  Stock cancellation....................    --           (1)             1            --                   --
  Issuance of common stock from exercise
of stock options........................    --            3             73            --                        76
  Net income............................    --         --          --                    3,546               3,546
                                          ---------   ------   ---------------        --------            --------
 
Balance, December 31, 1994..............    --           42          1,062               5,859               6,963
 
  Issuance of common stock from public
offering, net of expenses...............    --           34         36,961            --                    36,995
  Issuance of common stock from exercise
of stock options........................    --         --               32            --                        32
  Issuance of common stock from exercise
of warrants.............................    --            1             17            --                        18
  Issuance of common stock in debt to
equity exchange.........................    --           27         29,311            --                    29,338
  Net income............................    --         --          --                    2,075               2,075
                                          ---------   ------   ---------------        --------            --------
 
Balance, December 31, 1995..............    -$-        $104        $67,383            $  7,934            $ 75,421
                                          ---------   ------   ---------------        --------            --------
                                          ---------   ------   ---------------        --------            --------
                                                                              
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   PREDECESSOR              CORT BUSINESS SERVICES
                                                   ------------   ------------------------------------------
                                                   THREE MONTHS   NINE MONTHS
                                                      ENDED          ENDED        YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED
                                                    MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                       1993           1993           1994           1995
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income......................................    $  1,976       $  2,313       $  3,546       $  2,075
 Proceeds of disposals of rental furniture in
   excess of gross profit........................       3,814         14,241         21,299         22,312
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
     Extraordinary loss on early retirement of
debt.............................................      --             --             --              4,143
     Depreciation and amortization:
         Rental furniture........................       2,823         11,414         18,281         19,551
         Other...................................         427          1,364          2,358          2,601
         Goodwill................................         471            373            682            662
         Debt issuance costs.....................         201            240            755            729
         Discount on junior subordinated
debentures.......................................      --                 15             68             65
     Rental furniture inventory shrinkage........         227            406            569            981
     Deferred income taxes.......................         369          2,250          1,054          2,811
     Pay-in-kind interest converted to long term
debt.............................................      --             --              2,277          3,598
     Changes in assets and liabilities:
         Accounts receivable.....................        (425)          (488)           106           (547)
         Prepaid expenses........................        (288)           730           (122)          (998)
         Other receivables and assets............        (172)        (3,863)          (736)        (1,190)
         Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
          rental security deposits, net..........         887          2,876          1,455         (1,768)
         Deferred rental revenue.................         277          1,002            427            538
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
            Net cash provided by operating
activities.......................................      10,587         32,873         52,019         55,563
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Purchases of rental furniture...................     (11,398)       (26,010)       (43,233)       (54,153)
 Purchases of property, plant and equipment......        (215)        (1,731)        (2,812)        (4,521)
 Sale of property, plant and equipment...........           5            123             32            413
 Purchase of CORT Furniture Rental Corporation...      --            (27,500)        --             --
 Purchase of General Furniture Leasing Company...      --            (28,863)        --             --
 Purchase of short-term investments..............      --             (3,392)          (632)        (1,024)
 Sale of short-term investments..................      --             --             --              5,048
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
         Net cash used in investing activities...     (11,608)       (87,373)       (46,645)       (54,237)
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Initial financing...............................      --             27,500         --             --
 Repayments of long-term debt....................      (6,310)       (67,927)          (795)       (50,287)
 Payments to retire debt.........................      --             --             --             (4,998)
 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt........      --             96,667            749            332
 Repayments on the line of credit................     (30,133)       (65,199)        --             (1,000)
 Borrowings on the line of credit................      33,966         66,381         --              4,800
 Payments on capital lease obligation............         (16)          (318)          (359)        --
 Contribution of equity by parent................       4,306         --             --             --
 Issuance of common stock........................      --             --                 76         37,045
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
         Net cash provided (used) by financing
activities.......................................       1,813         57,104           (329)       (14,108)
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
         Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents......................................         792          2,604          5,045        (12,782)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period...........................................       4,720          5,512          8,116         13,161
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year.........    $  5,512       $  8,116       $ 13,161       $    379
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
 information:
Cash paid for:
         Interest................................    $  2,702       $  4,612       $ 12,178       $ 13,408
         Income taxes............................         245            720          2,213          2,161
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Noncash financing activities:
         Tax benefit from exchange of debt for
equity...........................................    $ --           $ --           $ --           $    741
         Exchange of debt for equity (note 7)....      --             --             --             28,597
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
                                                   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(1) FORMATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY
 
    CORT Business Services Corporation (the "Company"), was formed on March 29,
1993 and contemporaneously acquired all of the stock of CORT Furniture Rental
Corporation ("CFR"). The Company is a holding company with no independent
operations and no material assets other than its ownership of all the
outstanding capital stock of CFR. The Company is largely dependent on the
receipt of dividends or distributions from CFR to fund its obligations. CFR is a
provider of rental furniture, accessories and related services to both corporate
and individual customers. In addition, CFR sells previously rented furniture.
 
    CFR was acquired principally from Westinghouse Credit Corporation ("WCC") on
March 31, 1993. As a result of this change in control, the acquisition by the
Company was accounted for as a purchase business combination, and as such the
fair value of CFR's assets and liabilities was recognized as of March 31, 1993.
 
    The Company acquired CFR for a purchase price of approximately $86.2
million, including costs of acquisition. The purchase price was comprised of
approximately $4.3 million of equity, the assumption of $58.7 million under a
senior debt facility due to WCC, a note payable transferred by WCC to the
Company of approximately $10.7 million, and senior subordinated debentures of
$12.5 million due to the controlling and certain other stockholders of the
Company (see note 7).
 
    The fair value allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities of CFR
was determined by independent appraisal. As part of the purchase price
allocation, the Company recorded a reserve for an unfavorable operating lease on
one of CFR's California facilities of approximately $4.0 million. Based on the
allocation of the purchase price to the net tangible assets and liabilities, an
excess of purchase price over net assets acquired (goodwill) of approximately
$20.2 million was recorded. Such goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line
basis over 40 years. The purchase price was allocated as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Cash.............................................................   $  5,500
Accounts receivable..............................................      3,400
Prepaid expenses and other.......................................      3,000
Rental property..................................................     63,700
Property, plant and equipment....................................     22,200
Goodwill.........................................................     20,200
Accounts payable.................................................     (5,900)
Security deposits................................................     (3,700)
Accrued expenses.................................................    (11,800)
Other liabilities, including unfavorable lease...................    (10,400)
                                                                    --------
                                                                    $ 86,200
                                                                    --------
                                                                    --------
</TABLE>
 
    The Company financed the acquisition of CFR with $6.4 million of 13.5%
Senior Subordinated Debentures and $7.6 million of 13.75% Subordinated
Debentures (the "Bridge Debentures") payable to the controlling and certain
other stockholders of the Company. The Bridge Debentures were refinanced with
the Company's 14.5% Subordinated Debentures and the Company's 15% Junior
Subordinated Debentures on September 1, 1993 simultaneously with the public
offering of Senior Notes. During 1995, these debentures were exchanged for
Common Stock, Class A, $.01 par value ("Common Stock") contemporaneously with
the initial public offering of the Company (see notes 4 and 7).
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
(a) Principles of Consolidation and Presentation
 
    The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and
for the nine months ended December 31, 1993 and the years ended December 31,
1994 and 1995, include the accounts of CORT Business Services Corporation and
its wholly owned subsidiary subsequent to the Company's acquisition of CFR. The
financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 1993 represent those
of CFR prior to its acquisition. All significant intercompany transactions have
been eliminated.
 
(b) Accounting Estimates
 
    The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reported periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
(c) Rental Furniture
 
    Rental furniture includes residential and office furniture which is rented
to customers or is available for rental and/or sale and is recorded at the lower
of depreciated cost or market value. Rental furniture is depreciated on a
declining-balance or straight-line method over 3 to 6 years, with an estimated
salvage value of 25 to 40 percent of original cost. Accumulated depreciation on
rental furniture was $25,638,000 and $45,199,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995,
respectively. Reserves for purchase options and shrinkage on rental furniture
were $1,588,000 and $1,793,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Furniture no longer meeting rental standards is held for sale.
 
    Furniture rentals are recognized as revenue in the month they are due.
Rental payments received prior to the month due are recorded as deferred rental
revenue. Cost of furniture rental includes depreciation expense, inventory
losses, repairs and maintenance, net book value of furniture sold under lease
purchase options and costs of accessories.
 
    Certain of CFR's leases include purchase options whereby the customer can
receive title to the furniture upon satisfaction of certain conditions.
Generally, these leases are short-term and must be extended by the customer in
order for the purchase option to apply. CFR provides reserves to reduce the net
book value of furniture under such leases based on the length of time the
furniture has been out on lease and the likelihood of the exercise of the
options.
 
    The Company considers the proceeds from the sale of rental furniture as an
element of cash flow from operations. Accordingly, the proceeds received in
excess of the gross profit recognized on sales of rental furniture are added to
net income in deriving cash flow from operations in the accompanying
consolidated statements of cash flows.
 
(d) Property, Plant and Equipment
 
    Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost, or fair value if acquired
through a purchase business combination. Depreciation is computed using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
buildings 50 years; major roof renovations 10 years; furniture, fixtures,
machinery and equipment from 5 to 10 years; and leasehold improvements over the
term of the related leases.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
(e) Goodwill
 
    The excess of purchase cost over the fair value of net assets acquired
(goodwill) is amortized using the straight-line method over 40 years. The
Company evaluates the recoverability of its goodwill annually. In making such
evaluation, the Company compares certain financial indicators such as expected
undiscounted future revenues and cash flows to the carrying amount of goodwill.
Impairment losses, if any, are measured as the excess of the carrying amount of
goodwill over estimated fair market value.
 
(f) Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
    Cash and cash equivalents include cash in banks and investments having a
maturity of three months or less on the date of purchase. At December 31, 1994,
$6,000,000 of cash and cash equivalents was invested in commercial paper. The
remaining balance of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 1994 and December
31, 1995 consisted primarily of overnight repurchase funds.
 
(g) Investments
 
    Investments in debt securities having an original maturity of greater than
three months are classified as short-term investments. The Company intends to
hold these investments to maturity and as such are recognized at cost plus
accrued interest. At December 31, 1994, the Company had short-term investments
of $4,024,000 primarily consisting of U.S. Government backed debt securities.
Amortized cost approximates market value for such investments.
 
(h) Rental Security Deposits
 
    The Company may require a non-interest bearing security deposit of one
month's rent based on the Company's evaluation of the credit worthiness of the
customer. The security deposit is returned at the end of the lease provided that
all lease terms have been satisfied.
 
(i) Income Taxes
 
    Income taxes are reported under the Financial Accounting Standards Board's
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes. Under the asset and liability method of Statement 109, deferred tax
assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to
taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to
be recovered or settled. Under Statement 109, the effect on deferred tax assets
and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized as income in the period
that includes the enactment date.
 
    Effective January 1, 1993, CFR adopted Statement 109. In prior years, CFR
applied the deferred method of APB Opinion 11. The change in the method of
accounting for income taxes resulted in no cumulative effect adjustment.
 
(j) Debt Issue Costs
 
    Costs incurred with the issuance of long-term debt have been capitalized and
are being amortized over the term of the related debt using a method which
approximates the effective interest method.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
(k) Earnings Per Common Share
 
    Earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted
average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents
outstanding during the year. Common stock equivalents are comprised entirely of
stock options and warrants. The Company has no other potentially dilutive
securities. Fully-diluted earnings per common share is presented only to the
extent that it results in dilution in excess of 3% of primary earnings per
common share.
 
    Common stock issued and common stock options granted during the 12-month
period preceding the date of the Company's initial public offering (see note 4)
have been included in the calculation of weighted average common shares
outstanding for all of 1994 and 1995 using the treasury stock method based on
the initial public offering price.
 
    In connection with the Company's initial public offering of Common Stock,
the Company exchanged CFR's 14% Senior Subordinated Pay-In-Kind Notes, the
Company's 14.5% Subordinated Debentures, the Company's 15% Junior Subordinated
Debentures, including the unamortized discount, and accrued interest on all such
debentures for 2,728,167 shares of Common Stock. For purposes of the
computations of earnings per common share for 1994 and 1995, the Company has
assumed that the exchange occurred as of January 1, 1994 for 2,090,591 shares of
Common Stock.
 
(3) REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
 
    On November 9, 1995, the Company effected a 1 for 7.5 reverse split of
Common Stock whereby each 7.5 shares of existing Common Stock were exchanged for
one share of Common Stock. All share and per share data appearing in the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been retroactively
adjusted for this reverse split.
 
(4) INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK
 
    In November 1995, the Company sold, through an underwritten initial public
offering, 3,402,260 common shares at $12.00 per share. The net proceeds of
approximately $36,995,000, net of associated underwriting discounts and other
expenses of the offering, were used to retire a portion of the Senior Notes (see
note 7).
 
(5) PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                         1994            1995
                                                     ------------    ------------
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>
Land and land improvements........................     $  6,984        $  6,996
Buildings and improvements........................       15,113          15,151
Machinery, equipment and computer.................        3,102           4,896
Leasehold improvements............................        5,379           7,647
Furniture and fixtures............................        1,241           1,421
Other.............................................        1,438           1,252
                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                         33,257          37,363
Accumulated depreciation and amortization.........        3,720           6,319
                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                       $ 29,537        $ 31,044
                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                     ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(6) INCOME TAXES
 
    Components of the expense for income taxes are summarized as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             PREDECESSOR                CORT BUSINESS SERVICES
                                             ------------    --------------------------------------------
                                             THREE MONTHS    NINE MONTHS
                                                ENDED           ENDED         YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                              MARCH 31,      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                 1993            1993            1994            1995
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Current:
  Federal.................................       $157           $  153          $1,367         $  1,257
  State and local.........................         48              100             263              494
                                                -----        ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                  205              253           1,630            1,751
                                                -----        ------------    ------------    ------------
Deferred:
  Federal.................................        136            1,306           1,013            2,410
  State and local.........................         24              231             179              425
                                                -----        ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                  160            1,537           1,192            2,835
                                                -----        ------------    ------------    ------------
Total expense before extraordinary loss...        365            1,790           2,822            4,586
Income tax benefit from extraordinary loss
on early retirement of debt...............      --              --              --               (2,762)
                                                -----        ------------    ------------    ------------
Total income tax expense..................       $365           $1,790          $2,822         $  1,824
                                                -----        ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                -----        ------------    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The difference between the actual expense for taxes and taxes computed at
the Federal income tax rate of 34 percent is summarized as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             PREDECESSOR                CORT BUSINESS SERVICES
                                             ------------    --------------------------------------------
                                             THREE MONTHS    NINE MONTHS
                                                ENDED           ENDED         YEAR ENDED      YEAR ENDED
                                              MARCH 31,      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                 1993            1993            1994            1995
                                             ------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Tax expense computed at Federal rate......       $796           $1,395          $2,165         $  3,673
State and local taxes, net of Federal
benefit...................................         55              218             292              607
Effects of goodwill amortization..........        160              127             232              225
Deductible interest due to
restructuring.............................       (646)          --              --               --
Other, net................................      --                  50             133               81
                                                -----        ------------    ------------    ------------
Total expense before extraordinary loss...       $365           $1,790          $2,822         $  4,586
                                                -----        ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                -----        ------------    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(6) INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)
    The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented
below (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          1994            1995
                                                                      ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful
accounts...........................................................     $    367        $    375
  Compensated absences, principally due to accrual for financial
reporting purposes.................................................          477             530
  Debt issuance costs..............................................       --                 638
  Deferred rental revenue..........................................        1,954           2,209
  Reserve for unfavorable operating lease and duplicate
facilities.........................................................        2,886           2,377
  Net operating loss carryforwards.................................        3,185           1,511
  AMT credit carryforward..........................................        2,841           4,093
  Other............................................................        1,280           2,105
                                                                      ------------    ------------
      Total gross deferred tax assets..............................       12,990          13,838
                                                                      ------------    ------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Rental property, principally due to differences in
depreciation.......................................................       20,181          20,547
  Property, plant and equipment, principally due to differences in
depreciation.......................................................        4,123           3,913
                                                                      ------------    ------------
      Total gross deferred tax liabilities.........................       24,304          24,460
                                                                      ------------    ------------
      Net deferred tax liability...................................     $ 11,314        $ 10,622
                                                                      ------------    ------------
                                                                      ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
    At December 31, 1995, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for
Federal income tax purposes of approximately $3,778,000 which are available to
offset future Federal taxable income, if any, through 2008. In addition, the
Company has alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards of approximately
$4,093,000 which are available to reduce future Federal regular income taxes, if
any, over an indefinite period.
 
    The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has examined the federal income tax
returns of CFR for the years 1989 through June 30, 1992 and has proposed certain
adjustments to CFR's taxable income, relating primarily to methods of
depreciation, period of cost recovery and certain capitalized financing fees. If
successfully asserted by the IRS, the proposed adjustments would result in
approximately $21 million of additional tax liability, including accrued
interest through December 31, 1995. During September 1995, the Company agreed in
principle with the IRS appeals officer handling the administrative appeal of the
examination as to a method of settlement of the proposed adjustments. The method
agreed to in principle will not result in any additional financial statement tax
expenses, as the Company's reserves included in deferred income taxes are
adequate to cover such expenses, and will not require the Company to alter its
methods of depreciation or cost recovery period. The Company will be required to
make a payment to the IRS and certain state jurisdictions for income and
franchise purposes. The total amount of the proposed settlement is approximately
$3 million (including interest through December 31, 1995). In February 1996, the
Company made an initial deposit of approximately $925,000 to the IRS. This
agreement is only an agreement in principle, however, and is subject to final
IRS approval, and thus could change. A final settlement will become effective
only upon approval by the appropriate IRS personnel and execution of definitive
settlement documentation.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(6) INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)
 
    The Company has received notification that the IRS is challenging certain
deductions taken by a consolidated tax group of which CFR was previously a
member (the "Former Group") in connection with the examination of the
consolidated Federal income tax returns of the Former Group for the year ended
December 31, 1988 and subsequent years. The IRS challenge includes the assertion
that certain interest deductions taken by the Former Group should be
recharacterized as non-deductible dividend distributions and that deductions for
certain expenses related to the acquisition of CFR's former parent be
disallowed. The IRS could seek to recover from the Company (as well as from
other Former Group members) the full amount of any resulting tax liability
relating to periods while CFR was a member of the Former Group, which could be
as much as approximately $28 million (including interest through December 31,
1995). CFR's former parent, under the agreement of sale for CFR, agreed to
indemnify the Company in full for any consolidated tax liability of the Former
Group for years while CFR was a member of the Former Group. Further, the Company
may have rights of contribution against members of the Former Group if the
Company were required to pay more than its equitable share of any consolidated
tax liability. CFR's former parent has stated that it believes the IRS's
position with respect to these proposed disallowances is unjustified and is
contesting the matter vigorously. Due to the preliminary nature of the IRS
challenge, the Company is not in a position to determine the probable outcome
and its impact on the Company, if any.
 
(7) LONG-TERM DEBT
 
    The outstanding long-term debt was as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          1994            1995
                                                                      ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>
Revolving Credit Facility, secured.................................     $ --            $  3,800
Old Revolving Credit Facility, secured.............................       --              --
Senior Notes, 12%, unsecured.......................................      100,000          50,000
Senior Subordinated PIK Notes, 14%.................................        7,140          --
Subordinated Debentures, 14.5%.....................................        7,346          --
Junior Subordinated Debentures, 15%,
  net of discount of $1,913 in 1994................................        9,159          --
                                                                      ------------    ------------
                                                                        $123,645        $ 53,800
                                                                      ------------    ------------
                                                                      ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
    CFR had an Old Revolving Credit Facility with a bank for $15 million, which
was terminated on November 22, 1995. Borrowings under the Old Revolving Credit
Facility carried an interest rate of the prime rate plus one percent. CFR
entered into a new Revolving Credit Facility with a group of banks concurrently
with the consummation of the initial public offering of the Company. The
Revolving Credit Facility, for which the Company is guarantor, provides a $50
million line of credit, subject to certain borrowing base restrictions, to meet
acquisition and expansion needs as well as seasonal working capital and general
corporate requirements. The Revolving Credit Facility expires on November 22,
1998. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a
fluctuating rate based on, at the Company's option, either the lead lender's
base rate or the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR). The average interest rate
paid by CFR during 1995 on the Revolving Credit Facility was 7.9%. A commitment
fee calculated based upon the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility is
payable quarterly in arrears. The Revolving Credit Facility is collateralized by
substantially all of CFR's assets.
 
    The Senior Notes bear interest at 12% with interest payable semi-annually on
March 1 and September 1. The Senior Notes are unsecured and are due September 1,
2000. The Company may not
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(7) LONG-TERM DEBT--(CONTINUED)
redeem the Senior Notes prior to September 1, 1998 except in certain
circumstances. Early redemptions must be made at a premium. With the proceeds of
the initial public offering, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and
cash on hand, $20 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes were
retired at a repurchase price of 108% of the principal amount, plus accrued and
unpaid interest thereon, and $30 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior
Notes were retired at a redemption price of 110% of the principal amount plus
accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
 
    The Revolving Credit Facility and indenture governing the Senior Notes
restrict the ability of CFR to make advances and pay dividends to the Company.
 
    As a result of the early retirement of the Senior Notes, the Company
recognized a loss of $4,143,000, net of taxes, which has been reflected in the
Company's consolidated statement of operations as an extraordinary loss for the
year ended December 31, 1995. The extraordinary loss includes $4,600,000 of
redemption premiums on the Senior Notes retirement, the write-off of
approximately $1,907,000 of deferred financing fees and approximately $398,000
of other associated costs.
 
    Contemporaneously with the initial public offering, CFR's 14% Senior
Subordinated Pay-In-Kind Notes, the Company's 14.5% Subordinated Debentures and
the Company's 15% Junior Subordinated Debentures (collectively the "Debt
Securities"), due to controlling and certain other stockholders of the Company,
were exchanged for an aggregate of 2,728,167 shares of Common Stock, which
represented all principal, accrued interest and unamortized discount of the Debt
Securities. During the nine months ended December 31, 1993 and the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1995, the aggregate interest expense incurred on the Debt
Securities was approximately $1,081,000, $3,518,000 and $3,598,000,
respectively, all of which was settled through the issuance of additional
debentures.
 
    On March 31, 1993, CFR entered into a Bridge Loan and Security Agreement
upon its acquisition by the Company (see note 1). The Bridge Loan and Security
Agreement provided a line of credit up to $8,791,320 on a revolving basis and
$50,000,000 on a term basis from WCC. In addition, CFR's 13.5% Senior
Subordinated Debentures of $12,500,000 were issued to the controlling and
certain other stockholders of the Company. All amounts due under the Bridge Loan
and Security Agreement as well as $6,250,000 of CFR's 13.5% Senior Subordinated
Debentures were retired with a portion of the proceeds of the Senior Notes. The
remainder of CFR's 13.5% Senior Subordinated Debentures were refinanced with
CFR's 14% Senior Subordinated Pay-In-Kind Notes.
 
    The estimated fair value of the Company's consolidated long-term debt based
on the market price and other available information was approximately
$117,895,000 and $57,300,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
    Other assets include debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization,
of $4,210,000 and $2,534,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
(8) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    The Company maintains an investment and profit-sharing defined contribution
retirement plan. All the Company's employees are eligible to participate after
one year of service. The Company makes a 50 percent matching contribution on the
first four percent of employee contributions to the Plan. The Company may, at
its discretion, make additional contributions based on the Company's
performance. The aggregate plan contributions were approximately $40,000,
$198,000, $650,000, and $940,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1993, the
nine months ended December 31, 1993, and the years ended December 31, 1994 and
1995, respectively.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(8) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS--(CONTINUED)
    The Company maintains a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) for
certain key present and former management executives. The SERP consists of both
a defined benefit and a defined contribution plan. The annual costs of the plan
were approximately $0, $60,000, $139,000, and $148,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 1993, the nine months ended December 31, 1993, and the years
ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively. The accrued, unfunded liability
under the Plan as of December 31, 1995 was not significant.
 
(9) STOCK OPTIONS
 
Stock Option and Stock Purchase Plan
 
    Under the terms of the Stock Option and Stock Purchase Plan (the "1994
Plan"), certain key employees were granted, at the discretion of the Board of
Directors, the right to purchase varying amounts of Debt Securities and options
to purchase Common Stock. Concurrent with the adoption of the 1994 Plan, all
members of management who previously held common stock of the Company gave up
their rights to such stock.
 
    At the date of grant, each employee had the option to purchase immediately
in cash all granted amounts of the Debt Securities, or defer purchase of these
securities, plus interest, over a five-year vesting period. In either case,
assuming all obligations to purchase the Debt Securities were fulfilled, the
exercise price of the options to purchase Common Stock was fixed and the options
are exercisable over a ten-year period.
 
    Contemporaneously with the initial public offering, all Debt Securities were
exchanged for Common Stock (see note 7). There is no further obligation to
purchase Debt Securities under the 1994 Plan.
 
1995 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan
 
    The 1995 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan (the "1995 Plan") was
adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the Company's stockholders.
The 1995 Plan became effective on October 31, 1995. The 1995 Plan provides for
the granting of a maximum of 577,427 stock options to key employees of the
Company. No awards can be made under the 1995 Plan after October 31, 1997. The
shares granted under the 1995 Plan may be in the form of deferred stock,
restricted stock, incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options or stock
appreciation rights. All awards made in 1995 were in the form of non-qualified
stock options. The exercise price of an option under the 1995 Plan is equal to
the fair market value of common stock on the date the option is granted. An
option under the 1995 Plan vests over a three-year period and the expiration
period may not exceed ten years.
 
1995 Directors Stock Option Plan
 
    The 1995 Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan") was adopted by
the Board of Directors and approved by the Company's stockholders. The Director
Plan became effective on October 18, 1995. The Director Plan provides for the
granting of a maximum of 50,000 stock options to non-employee directors of the
Company. The Director Plan provides for automatic grants of options to purchase
shares of Common Stock on November 15, 1995 and 1996. The option exercise price
per share is equal to the fair market value of common stock on the date the
option is granted. All options granted will be vested on November 15, 1998. The
expiration period may not exceed ten years.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(9) STOCK OPTIONS--(CONTINUED)
 
Stock Option Activity Summary
 
    The following table summarizes the Company's stock option plans below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1994         1995      DIRECTOR
                                                                  PLAN         PLAN        PLAN
                                                                ---------    --------    --------
<S>                                                             <C>          <C>         <C>
Shares under option:
Outstanding at
  January 1, 1994............................................      --           --         --
  Granted....................................................     784,642       --         --
  Exercised..................................................    (295,133)      --         --
  Forfeited..................................................     (53,669)      --         --
                                                                ---------    --------    --------
Outstanding at
  December 31, 1994..........................................     435,840       --         --
  Granted....................................................     245,800     439,800     21,000
  Exercised..................................................     (37,976)      --         --
  Forfeited..................................................     (10,734)      --         --
                                                                ---------    --------    --------
Outstanding at
  December 31, 1995..........................................     632,930     439,800     21,000
                                                                ---------    --------    --------
                                                                ---------    --------    --------
Options available to grant at
  December 31, 1995..........................................      --         137,627     29,000
 
Exercise price per share:
  At December 31, 1994.......................................   $ 0.25875       --         --
  At December 31, 1995.......................................   $ 0.25875    $  12.00     $12.00
                                                                 --$1.098
Options exercisable:
  At December 31, 1994.......................................      70,188       --         --
  At December 31, 1995.......................................     632,930       --         --
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(10) RENTAL COMMITMENTS
 
    The Company leases certain warehouse and showroom facilities and equipment.
Future minimum lease payments at December 31, 1995 under all noncancelable
operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                <C>
1996............................................................   $ 10,054
1997............................................................      9,007
1998............................................................      7,650
1999............................................................      6,647
2000............................................................      5,337
Thereafter......................................................     15,403
                                                                   --------
      Total minimum lease payments..............................     54,098
Less sublease rentals...........................................        167
                                                                   --------
      Net minimum operating lease payments......................   $ 53,931
                                                                   --------
                                                                   --------
</TABLE>
 
    Rental expense was approximately $1,756,000, $5,864,000, $9,291,000, and
$9,177,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1993, the nine months ended
December 31, 1993, and the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively,
(including approximately $410,000, $1,285,000, $1,795,000, and $1,826,000 for
short-term vehicle leases).
 
(11) ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
    Accrued expenses are comprised of (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     DECEMBER 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                         1994            1995
                                                     ------------    ------------
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>
Accrued salaries, wages and incentives............     $  3,796        $  4,159
Accrued interest..................................        5,260           2,026
Accrued vacation..................................        1,193           1,325
Reserve for unfavorable operating lease and
  duplicate facilities............................        7,216           5,942
Accrued property, sales and use taxes.............        1,458           1,529
Other accrued expenses............................        3,230           4,115
                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                       $ 22,153        $ 19,096
                                                     ------------    ------------
                                                     ------------    ------------
</TABLE>
 
(12) WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
 
    At December 31, 1995, 2,762,200 warrants to purchase an aggregate of 450,238
shares of Common Stock were outstanding. In December 1995, 537,800 warrants were
exercised for an aggregate of 87,657 shares of the Common Stock. Each warrant is
exercisable at a price of $.0345. The warrants are subject to certain
anti-dilution provisions relating to future issuances of the Common Stock.
 
(13) ACQUISITION OF GENERAL FURNITURE LEASING COMPANY
 
    CFR acquired General Furniture Leasing Company ("General Furniture") on
September 1, 1993 for approximately $28,900,000 including costs of acquisition
in a transaction accounted for as a purchase business combination. As such, the
fair value of General Furniture's assets and liabilities were recognized as of
September 1, 1993, and the Company's results of operations include General
Furniture's operations subsequent to September 1, 1993. General Furniture was
subsequently merged into CFR.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(13) ACQUISITION OF GENERAL FURNITURE LEASING COMPANY--(CONTINUED)
    The fair value allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities of
General Furniture was determined by independent appraisal. As part of the
purchase price allocation, CFR recorded a reserve for estimated costs to be
incurred in the consolidation of duplicate General Furniture facilities. Based
on the allocation of the purchase price to the tangible and identifiable
intangible assets and liabilities, an excess of purchase price over net assets
acquired (goodwill) of approximately $6,100,000 was recorded. Such goodwill is
being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years. The purchase price has
been allocated as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                 <C>
Cash.............................................................   $   500
Accounts receivable..............................................     1,400
Prepaid expenses and other assets................................       700
Rental property..................................................    25,700
Property, plant and equipment....................................     6,700
Goodwill.........................................................     6,100
Accounts payable and accrued expenses............................    (3,400)
Other liabilities, including reserve for duplicate facilities....    (8,800)
                                                                    -------
                                                                    $28,900
                                                                    -------
                                                                    -------
</TABLE>
 
    CFR financed the acquisition of General Furniture with a portion of the
proceeds from the September 1, 1993 public offering of $100,000,000 12% Senior
Notes (see note 7).
 
(14) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
    On March 15, 1996 the Company signed an agreement to acquire the stock of
privately held Evans Rents, a provider of rental furniture in California, for
approximately $27 million in cash, exclusive of transaction costs. The
acquisition is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions including
regulatory approval.
 
                                      F-23
<PAGE>
               CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
(15) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
    (in thousands except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                  ------------------------------------------------------
                                                  MARCH 31,    JUNE 30,    SEPTEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                    1995         1995          1995             1995
                                                  ---------    --------    -------------    ------------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>         <C>              <C>
Furniture rental revenue.......................    $33,815     $ 35,239       $36,354         $ 36,580
Furniture sales revenue........................     10,316        9,288         9,137            8,580
Operating earnings.............................      6,252        6,425         6,893            7,151
Income before income taxes and extraordinary
loss...........................................      2,107        2,226         2,675            3,796
Extraordinary loss, net of tax.................      --           --           --                4,143
Net income (loss)..............................      1,195        1,273         1,539           (1,932)
Earnings per common share before extraordinary
  loss.........................................    $  0.25     $   0.26       $  0.30         $   0.29
Earnings (loss) per common share...............    $  0.25     $   0.26       $  0.30         $  (0.17)
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                  ------------------------------------------------------
                                                  MARCH 31,    JUNE 30,    SEPTEMBER 30,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                    1994         1994          1994             1994
                                                  ---------    --------    -------------    ------------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>         <C>              <C>
Furniture rental revenue.......................    $31,484     $ 32,777       $33,384         $ 32,381
Furniture sales revenue........................      8,667        8,581         9,049            8,237
Operating earnings.............................      5,151        5,454         5,852            6,157
Income before income taxes.....................      1,141        1,385         1,789            2,053
Net income.....................................        606          769         1,007            1,164
Earnings per common share......................    $  0.16     $   0.18       $  0.22         $   0.24
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
                 UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     MARCH 31,
                                                                                       1996
                                                                                     ---------
<S>                                                                                  <C>
                                      ASSETS
 
Cash..............................................................................    $   351
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $238.................      2,265
Prepaid expenses..................................................................         12
Rental merchandise, net...........................................................     17,663
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net...............................      2,288
Deposits and other assets.........................................................        175
                                                                                     ---------
    Total assets..................................................................    $22,754
                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                     ---------
 
                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 
Liabilities:
 
    Senior obligations payable....................................................    $ 9,529
    Convertible subordinated notes................................................     15,735
    Accounts payable..............................................................        754
    Accrued expenses..............................................................      1,583
    Accrued interest..............................................................      9,244
    Deferred revenue..............................................................      1,531
                                                                                     ---------
 
      Total liabilities...........................................................     38,376
 
Redeemable Preferred Stock........................................................      5,000
 
Shareholders' deficit.............................................................    (20,622)
                                                                                     ---------
 
    Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit...................................    $22,754
                                                                                     ---------
                                                                                     ---------
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-25
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
           UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                                          -------------------
                                                                           1995         1996
                                                                          ------       ------
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>
Revenue:
 
  Rental income........................................................   $6,624       $6,906
  Relocation income and fees...........................................      719          519
  Sales of merchandise.................................................      309          457
                                                                          ------       ------
 
      Total revenue....................................................    7,652        7,882
                                                                          ------       ------
 
Costs and operating expenses:
 
  Cost of merchandise sold.............................................      223          312
  Depreciation:
    Rental merchandise.................................................      638          726
    Property, equipment and leasehold improvements.....................      154          203
  Operating expenses...................................................    2,469        2,377
  General and administrative expenses..................................    2,946        3,064
                                                                          ------       ------
 
      Total costs and operating expenses...............................    6,430        6,682
                                                                          ------       ------
 
      Operating profit.................................................    1,222        1,200
 
Interest expense, net..................................................      906          830
                                                                          ------       ------
  Income before taxes..................................................      316          370
Income taxes...........................................................       40           48
                                                                          ------       ------
 
  Net income...........................................................   $  276       $  322
                                                                          ------       ------
                                                                          ------       ------
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-26
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
           UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                 MARCH 31,
                                                                           ----------------------
                                                                             1995         1996
                                                                           ---------    ---------
<S>                                                                        <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income............................................................    $   276      $   322
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
    operating activities:
    Net book value of rental merchandise disposals......................        265          314
    Depreciation:
      Rental merchandise................................................        638          726
      Property, equipment and leasehold improvements....................        154          203
    Changes in operating accounts, net..................................      1,467         (342)
                                                                           ---------    ---------
        Net cash provided by operating activities.......................      2,800        1,223
                                                                           ---------    ---------
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases and refurbishing of rental merchandise......................     (3,064)        (761)
  Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements...........       (259)         (89)
                                                                           ---------    ---------
        Net cash used by investing activities...........................     (3,323)        (850)
                                                                           ---------    ---------
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net borrowings (payments) under line of credit agreements.............        471          (91)
  Net borrowings (payments) under notes payable.........................         35          (55)
                                                                           ---------    ---------
        Net cash provided (used) by financing activities................        506         (146)
                                                                           ---------    ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash.........................................        (17)         227
Cash at beginning of period.............................................         52          124
                                                                           ---------    ---------
Cash at end of period...................................................    $    35      $   351
                                                                           ---------    ---------
                                                                           ---------    ---------
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the period for:
    Interest............................................................    $   279      $   227
    Income taxes........................................................          3        --
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
         NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 MARCH 31, 1996
 
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of only
normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated
financial position of Evans Rents as of March 31, 1996, and the results of
operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995.
The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 1996 are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited, and do not
include all related footnote disclosures.
 
    The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be
read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included
herein.
 
(2) SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
    On April 24, 1996, Evans Rents was acquired by CORT Business Services
Corporation whereby CORT acquired all of the outstanding equity interest in
Evans Rents.
 
                                      F-28
<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
  EVANS RENTS
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Evans Rents
as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, shareholders' deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended.
These consolidated 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 in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards 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. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Evans Rents at December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Los Angeles, CA
March 15, 1996
 
                                      F-29
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        (RESTATED--NOTE 1)
                                                                    --------------------------
                                                                       1994           1995
                                                                    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                                 <C>            <C>
                                            ASSETS
Cash.............................................................   $    51,952    $   123,652
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
  $169,158 and $241,016..........................................     2,209,596      2,168,192
Prepaid expenses.................................................        31,279         14,800
Rental merchandise:..............................................    19,004,754     22,180,052
  Less accumulated depreciation..................................    (3,434,998)    (4,237,967)
                                                                    -----------    -----------
Net rental merchandise...........................................    15,569,756     17,942,085
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, at cost:
  Leasehold improvements.........................................     1,581,124      1,948,890
  Office and warehouse equipment.................................       638,360        679,692
  Showroom furniture and equipment...............................       692,745      1,008,080
  Vehicles.......................................................     1,028,889      1,484,556
                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                      3,941,118      5,121,218
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.................    (2,143,826)    (2,718,661)
                                                                    -----------    -----------
Net property, equipment and leasehold improvements...............     1,797,292      2,402,557
Deposits and other assets........................................       191,926        178,716
                                                                    -----------    -----------
      Total assets...............................................   $19,851,801    $22,830,002
                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                    -----------    -----------
 
                            LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Liabilities:
  Senior obligations payable (Note 2)............................   $ 8,874,286    $ 9,674,563
  Convertible subordinated notes.................................    15,735,000     15,735,000
  Accounts payable...............................................       945,972      1,207,436
  Accrued expenses...............................................     2,073,517      1,971,762
  Accrued interest...............................................     6,294,000      8,654,250
  Deferred revenue...............................................     1,506,501      1,531,131
                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                     35,429,276     38,774,142
Commitments (Note 8)
10% noncumulative convertible redeemable preferred stock at $.001
  par value:
  Series F, 5,000,000 shares authorized;]
    4,100,000 issued and outstanding.............................     4,100,000      4,100,000
  Series G, 900,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding....       900,000        900,000
Shareholders' deficit:
  Series A Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 100,000 shares
    authorized; 93,300 issued and outstanding (82,500 issued and
outstanding in 1994).............................................            83             93
  Series B Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 50,000 shares
authorized, issued and outstanding...............................            --             50
  Common stock, $.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized;
    159,574 issued and outstanding (108,489 shares issued and
outstanding in 1994).............................................           108            160
  Additional paid-in capital.....................................    15,674,747     15,678,085
  Accumulated deficit............................................   (36,252,413)   (36,622,528)
                                                                    -----------    -----------
Total shareholders' deficit......................................   (20,577,475)   (20,944,140)
                                                                    -----------    -----------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit................   $19,851,801    $22,830,002
                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-30
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                                        (RESTATED--NOTE 1)
                                                                    --------------------------
                                                                       1994           1995
                                                                    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                                 <C>            <C>
Revenues:
  Rental income..................................................   $22,716,405    $25,972,474
  Relocation income and fees.....................................     3,042,549      2,718,778
  Sales of merchandise...........................................     1,363,321      1,814,269
                                                                    -----------    -----------
      Total revenues.............................................    27,122,275     30,505,521
 
Costs and operating expenses:
  Cost of merchandise sold.......................................       847,986      1,388,612
  Depreciation:..................................................
    Rental merchandise...........................................     2,413,204      2,732,502
    Property, equipment and leasehold improvements...............       505,749        688,444
  Operating expenses.............................................     9,005,871     10,132,443
  General and administrative expenses............................    11,849,072     12,176,190
                                                                    -----------    -----------
      Total costs and operating expenses.........................    24,621,882     27,118,191
                                                                    -----------    -----------
      Operating profit...........................................     2,500,393      3,387,330
 
Interest expense, net............................................     3,509,928      3,653,445
                                                                    -----------    -----------
  Loss before taxes..............................................    (1,009,535)      (266,115)
Income taxes.....................................................        51,882        104,000
                                                                    -----------    -----------
  Net loss.......................................................   $(1,061,417)   $  (370,115)
                                                                    -----------    -----------
                                                                    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            (RESTATED--NOTE 1)
                                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                SERIES A    SERIES B             ADDITIONAL                       TOTAL
                                PREFERRED   PREFERRED   COMMON     PAID-IN     ACCUMULATED    SHAREHOLDERS'
                                  STOCK       STOCK     STOCK      CAPITAL       DEFICIT         DEFICIT
                                ---------   ---------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>         <C>      <C>           <C>            <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993..    $  91       $--        $108    $15,694,115   $(35,190,996)  $ (19,496,682)
  Issuance of shares..........       16       --         --            1,584        --                1,600
  Repurchase of shares........      (24)      --         --             (952)       --                 (976)
  Repurchase of warrants......    --          --         --          (20,000)       --              (20,000)
  Net loss....................    --          --         --          --          (1,061,417)     (1,061,417)
                                ---------   ---------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
Balance, December 31, 1994....       83       --          108     15,674,747    (36,252,413)    (20,577,475)
  Issuance of shares..........       15          50        52          3,583        --                3,700
  Repurchase of shares........       (5)      --         --             (245)       --                 (250)
  Net loss....................    --          --         --          --            (370,115)       (370,115)
                                ---------   ---------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
Balance, December 31, 1995....    $  93       $  50      $160    $15,678,085   $(36,622,528)  $ (20,944,140)
                                ---------   ---------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
                                ---------   ---------   ------   -----------   ------------   -------------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         (RESTATED--NOTE 1)
                                                                     --------------------------
                                                                        1994           1995
                                                                     -----------    -----------
<S>                                                                  <C>            <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net loss........................................................   $(1,061,417)   $  (370,115)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
    operating activities:
    Net book value of rental merchandise disposals................     1,254,303      1,408,675
    Depreciation:
      Rental merchandise..........................................     2,413,204      2,732,502
      Property, equipment and leasehold improvements..............       505,749        688,444
    Disposals of property, equipment and leasehold improvements...         4,946         21,439
    Changes in assets and liabilities:
      Accounts receivable.........................................      (582,582)        41,404
      Prepaid expenses............................................        14,598         16,479
      Deposits and other assets, net..............................        10,220         13,210
      Accounts payable............................................      (602,657)       261,464
      Accrued interest............................................     2,360,250      2,360,250
      Accrued expenses............................................       289,550       (101,755)
      Deferred revenue............................................       307,849         24,630
                                                                     -----------    -----------
        Net cash provided by operating activities.................     4,914,013      7,096,627
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Purchases and refurbishing of rental merchandise................    (7,135,662)    (6,513,506)
  Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements.....      (860,271)    (1,315,148)
                                                                     -----------    -----------
        Net cash used in investing activities.....................    (7,995,933)    (7,828,654)
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Net borrowings under line of credit agreements..................     2,844,648        598,138
  Net borrowings (payments) under notes payable...................       (42,650)       202,139
  Net (payments) proceeds from issuance (repurchase) of stock or
warrants..........................................................       (19,375)         3,450
                                                                     -----------    -----------
        Net cash provided by financing activities.................     2,782,623        803,727
                                                                     -----------    -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash...................................      (299,297)        71,700
Cash at beginning of year.........................................       351,249         51,952
                                                                     -----------    -----------
Cash at end of year...............................................   $    51,952    $   123,652
                                                                     -----------    -----------
                                                                     -----------    -----------
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the year for:
    Interest......................................................   $   990,479    $ 1,204,813
    Income taxes..................................................        65,282         94,150
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-33
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Organization of the Company
 
    In 1985, Evans Rents and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the
Company), were incorporated in the state of California. The Company is primarily
engaged in renting furniture to commercial and residential customers.
Additionally, the Company sells furniture rented by customers and furniture no
longer usable for rental purposes. As of December 31, 1995, the Company operated
17 showrooms and two warehouses in California. All significant intercompany
accounts have been eliminated.
 
  Restatement of Financial Statements
 
    The accompanying financial statements have been restated to conform with
certain requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, principally
relating to the classification of redeemable preferred stock and convertible
subordinated notes and the accrual of contingent interest payable.
 
  Rental Merchandise
 
    Merchandise is rented to customers under rental agreements which generally
range from two to 24 months. Customers may terminate the agreement at any time
after the minimum lease period of two months, or continue on a month-to-month
basis. Upon termination, rental merchandise is returned to the Company. Rental
income is recognized in monthly installments, beginning the day of delivery and
each month thereafter.
 
    Merchandise rented to customers or available for rent is classified in the
consolidated balance sheet as rental merchandise. At December 31, 1995,
approximately 74% of the total rental merchandise was under rental agreements
with customers. Merchandise is valued at the lower of cost, less accumulated
depreciation, or market. Merchandise is depreciated on a straight-line basis
ranging over a period of 3 to 10 years.
 
    Sales of merchandise consists of sales of rental merchandise directly to
customers who wish to purchase the furniture they are renting or sales of used
furniture. Cost of merchandise sold is determined using acquisition cost, less
applicable accumulated depreciation.
 
  Market Value of Financial Instruments
 
    The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for the Company's
financial instruments (cash and senior obligations payable) approximate their
market value.
 
    The market value of the convertible subordinated notes are approximately
$5.4 million based on transactions described in "Subsequent Events" (Note 10).
 
  Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements
 
    Depreciation of property, equipment and leasehold improvements is provided
on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the lease term, if applicable, or
the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, principally five to ten
years.
 
                                      F-34
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
  Use of Estimates
 
    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
2. SENIOR OBLIGATIONS PAYABLE
 
    Senior obligations payable were as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1994          1995
                                                     ----------    ----------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>
$20,000,000 revolving line of credit, expiring
August 31, 1996...................................   $8,419,295    $9,017,433
Notes payable.....................................      454,991       657,130
                                                     ----------    ----------
                                                     $8,874,286    $9,674,563
                                                     ----------    ----------
                                                     ----------    ----------
</TABLE>
 
    The Company has a revolving credit agreement with a lender which provides
for maximum aggregate borrowings of $20,000,000 through August 31, 1996. The
revolving credit agreement is automatically and continuously renewed for
successive one-year periods unless terminated. The agreement requires monthly
interest payments at 1/2% over the prime rate (8.5% at December 31, 1995), on
average outstanding borrowings. Regardless of the outstanding principal balance,
the Company is required to pay minimum interest each month of $10,000 through
August 31, 1996. Borrowings are secured by substantially all of the assets of
the Company.
 
    Notes payable at December 31, 1995, relate primarily to purchase of vehicles
and are secured by the vehicles, and to obligations related to tenant
improvements on certain facilities. Interest rates vary for 3.1% to 12.5%.
Future annual payments under these notes are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   FISCAL YEAR ENDING
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>
1996............................................................   $237,475
1997............................................................    175,114
1998............................................................    146,986
1999............................................................     76,046
2000............................................................     21,509
                                                                   --------
Total future payments...........................................   $657,130
                                                                   --------
                                                                   --------
</TABLE>
 
3. INCOME TAXES
 
    Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 109 (SFAS 109) "Accounting for Income Taxes," which
requires the use of the liability method of accounting for deferred income
taxes. In addition, SFAS 109 requires the recognition of future tax benefits,
such as net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs), to the extent that realization
of such benefits are more likely than not. There was no cumulative effect of
this accounting change at the time of adoption.
 
                                      F-35
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
3. INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)
    Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets as of December
31, 1995 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Deferred tax assets:
<S>                                                             <C>
  Book over tax depreciation.................................   $    360,000
  Net operating loss carryforward............................     11,100,000
                                                                ------------
Total deferred tax assets....................................     11,460,000
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets..................    (11,460,000)
                                                                ------------
Net deferred tax assets......................................   $    --
                                                                ------------
                                                                ------------
</TABLE>
 
    A valuation allowance for the amount of the net deferred tax assets has been
provided due to the uncertain nature of their ultimate realization based upon
the past earnings performance and the expiration of NOL carryforwards.
Realization is entirely dependent upon future earnings. Income taxes for 1995
and 1994 are composed primarily of alternative minimum taxes.
 
4. CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES
 
    In April 1989, the Company issued $15,735,000 principal amount of 15%
subordinated debentures (Debentures) due April 21, 1996. On April 30, 1992, the
Debentures were exchanged for 15% convertible subordinated notes (Notes).
 
    The Company semiannually is required to pay to the holders of the Notes on
October 31 and April 30, 80% of Earnings Available to Service Notes, as defined,
if any. To the extent such payment does not exceed the interest portion of the
Notes, any interest not paid shall accrue as unpaid interest but shall not be
treated as principal for purposes of any pro rata allocation of any future
redemption amount. The redemption value of the Notes prior to May 1, 2002, is
based upon the amount available from a Qualified Liquidity Event or Qualified
Initial Public Offering Event and a proceeds-sharing formula with the holders of
the Series A, B, F, and G Preferred Stock. Upon the occurrence of a Qualified
Initial Public Offering Event, unless the Company has elected to redeem the
Notes or the holder has elected to convert such Notes into new notes, the Notes
shall be automatically converted into common stock, based upon the amount
available from a Qualified Initial Public Offering Event and the actual initial
public offering price of one share of common stock. The Notes are subordinated
and junior to any senior indebtedness and the Series F and G Preferred Stock.
There were no interest payments in 1995 and 1994, given the terms of the
"Earnings Available to Service Notes."
 
5. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The Company issued in a private placement on April 30, 1992, 3,725,000
shares of Series F and 900,000 shares of Series G 10% noncumulative convertible
redeemable preferred stock (Series F and G preferred stock) for an aggregate
consideration of $4,625,000. Subsequently 375,000 additional shares of Series F
were issued for $375,000.
 
    At the option of the holder, each share of Series F Preferred Stock shall be
convertible into one share of common stock, subject to adjustment as provided in
the Company's related articles of incorporation. Each share of Series G
Preferred Stock is convertible into one share of Series F Preferred Stock at the
option of the holder or is automatically converted upon a Qualified Liquidity
Event, as defined, or a Qualified Initial Publc Offering, as defined. Upon
written notice of a majority of holders of the Series F and G Preferred Stock
after April 24, 1997, the Company shall redeem the stock at $1 per
 
                                      F-36
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
5. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK--(CONTINUED)
share plus declared but unpaid dividends provided the Company's debt agreements
do not prohibit such redemption. Upon liquidation, the holders are entitled to a
preference equal to $1 per share for each share held, plus an amount equal to
all declared and unpaid dividends thereon. The holders of Series F Preferred
Stock are entitled to vote on all matters; however, the Series G Preferred Stock
are nonvoting.
 
6. SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
 
    The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 20,000,000 shares of
common stock, par value $0.001 per share; and 6,050,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000 shares of which are designated Series
A Preferred Stock; 50,000 shares of which are designated Series B Preferred
Stock. Issuances in 1995 were to officers based on management's estimate of the
Company's value of approximately $20,000,000. Series A and B Preferred Stock are
nonvoting.
 
    In November 1988, in conjunction with the renegotiation of the line of
credit issued at that time, warrants to purchase a maximum of 237,200 shares of
Series E 4% noncumulative convertible preferred stock at $4.25 per share were
issued to two financial institutions providing a $7,500,000 revolving line of
credit. The warrants expire in November 1998. The then estimated fair market
value of the Series E warrants of $709,856 was included in additional paid-in
capital and was deducted from the carrying value of borrowings under the line of
credit. In 1994, warrants to purchase a maximum of 158,132 shares were
repurchased. As a result of the recapitalization, the Series E preferred stock
warrants were converted into warrants to purchase common stock. In addition, the
exercise prices and outstanding shares of the Series E warrants and the
outstanding options (see Note 5) have been adjusted because of the reverse stock
split. As a result of the reverse stock split, the remaining warrants are now
exercisable for 53 shares at $6,322 per share.
 
    During 1989, in conjunction with the issuance of promissory notes payable,
the Company issued warrants to such promissory note holders which are
exercisable for 276,250 shares of the Company's common stock at $4 per share
during the next equity financing in excess of $100,000. These warrants
terminated during 1994.
 
    The Company has reserved the equivalent of 5,000,000 shares of common stock
for issuance upon conversion of the Series F Preferred Stock, 136,597 shares for
issuance upon conversion of warrants, and 300,600 shares for issuance under the
Company's 1986 Incentive Stock Option Plan.
 
7. STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    In 1986 the Board of Directors authorized an Incentive Stock Option Plan and
the Board has reserved 1,300,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the
plan. The Company has granted options under this plan to its employees at prices
ranging from $.20-$.50 per share. As a result of the
 
                                      F-37
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
7. STOCK OPTION PLAN--(CONTINUED)
reverse stock split the exercise price per share has been adjusted to prices
ranging from $298-$744 per share as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 SHARES
                                                             ---------------
                                                               DECEMBER 31
                                                             ---------------
                                                             1994       1995
                                                             ----       ----
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>
Outstanding at beginning of period........................    525        461
Granted...................................................    --         --
Exercised.................................................    --         --
Canceled..................................................    (64)       (14)
                                                             ----       ----
Outstanding at end of period..............................    461        447
                                                             ----       ----
                                                             ----       ----
Exercisable...............................................    461        447
                                                             ----       ----
                                                             ----       ----
</TABLE>
 
    These options are noncompensatory and vest over a four-year period; 25% on
the first anniversary of the date of grant, then 2% per month thereafter until
fully vested.
 
    Additionally, the Company issued nonqualified stock options, as follows:
 
        In 1987, the Company issued nonqualified stock options for 3 shares at
    $446 per share, which vest 1/18 per month. These options terminated during
    1994.
 
        In 1988, the Company issued nonqualified stock options for 7 shares at
    $744 per share, which vest 1/18 per month. On December 31,1994, all options
    were vested and exercisable. These options terminated during 1995.
 
8. COMMITMENTS
 
    The Company leases its showrooms and warehouse facilities under long-term
operating lease arrangements. Management expects that in the normal course of
business, leases that expire will be renewed or replaced by other leases.
 
    At December 31, 1995, the future minimum annual rental payments required
under noncancelable operating leases are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Fiscal Year Ending                                            Operating
- ---------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>                                                               <C>
1996...........................................................   $2,193,643
1997...........................................................    1,638,893
1998...........................................................      854,095
1999...........................................................      578,726
2000...........................................................      468,655
Thereafter.....................................................    1,815,629
                                                                  ----------
Total future payments..........................................   $7,549,641
                                                                  ----------
                                                                  ----------
</TABLE>
 
    Rent expense under noncancelable operating leases aggregated approximately
$2,233,467 and $2,242,551 for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995,
respectively.
 
                                      F-38
<PAGE>
                                  EVANS RENTS
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
9. SHOWROOM AND WAREHOUSE RELOCATION COSTS
 
    Showroom and warehouse relocation costs of $264,116 in 1994, relate
primarily to the Company's decision to relocate its Northern California
warehouse and terminate its lease early and are included in general and
administrative expenses.
 
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
    On March 15, 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with CORT Business
Services Corporation whereby CORT would acquire all of the outstanding equity
interest in the Company. If the acquisition is completed it is anticipated that
the Company will be merged into a subsidiary of CORT.
 
                                      F-39
<PAGE>


    NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER
PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED
HEREIN AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH                      1,700,000 SHARES  
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT                         
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED                 CORT BUSINESS
BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY OF THE                                 
UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT                      SERVICES
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES                           
OTHER THAN THOSE TO WHICH IT RELATES OR                    CORPORATION
AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF                          
AN OFFER TO BUY, THOSE TO WHICH IT      
RELATES IN ANY STATE TO ANY PERSON TO                           
WHOM IT IS NOT LAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER
IN SUCH STATE. THE DELIVERY OF THIS     
PROSPECTUS AT ANY TIME DOES NOT IMPLY   
THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT  
AS OF CORPORATION ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO
ITS DATE.                               
                                        
      -------------------               
                                        
        TABLE OF CONTENTS               
                                 PAGE                     COMMON STOCK
                                 ----   

Prospectus Summary................. 3                         [LOGO]      
                                                                 
Risk Factors....................... 8                            
                                      
Use of Proceeds....................11 
                                      
Price Range of Common Stock and       
Dividend Policy....................11 
                                      
Capitalization.....................12 
                                      
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed        

Consolidated Financial Data........13                       ---------        
                                                            PROSPECTUS
Selected Consolidated Financial                                     , 1996
Data...............................18                            
                                                            ---------
Management's Discussion and Analysis                             
  of Financial Condition and Results                             
  of Operations....................20                   SMITH BARNEY INC.
                                      
Business...........................26 
                                                       MONTGOMERY SECURITIES
Management.........................35

Principal Stockholders.............43

Shares Eligible for Future Sale....44

Underwriting.......................45

Legal Matters......................46

Experts............................46

Available Information..............47

Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference.......................48

Index to Financial Statements.....F-1


- ----------------------------------------  --------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------  --------------------------------------

<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
    The following table sets forth the registrant's expenses in connection with
the issuance of the securities being registered.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
SEC Registration Fee.....................................................   $ 12,472
NASD Filing Fee..........................................................      4,117
NYSE listing fee.........................................................      6,843
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses...............................................      7,500*
Printing and Engraving Expenses..........................................    120,000*
Legal Fees and Expenses..................................................    225,000*
Accounting Fees and Expenses.............................................    100,000*
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees and Expenses...........................      2,000*
Miscellaneous............................................................     22,068*
                                                                            --------
          Total..........................................................   $500,000*
                                                                            --------
                                                                            --------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
* Estimated
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    The Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the "Charter"), of CORT
Business Services Corporation (the "Company") provides that directors of the
Company shall be entitled to all limitations on the liability of directors
available under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"). Further, the
Charter provides that a director shall not be liable to the Company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions by the director not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the
law, (iii) for actions described under Section 174 of the DGCL relating to the
declaration of dividends and purchase or redemption of shares in violation of
the DGCL or (iv) for any transactions from which a director derived an improper
personal benefit. In addition, Section 145 of the DGCL, under certain
circumstances, provides for the indemnification of the Company's officers and
directors against liabilities which they may incur in such capacities.
 
    In general, any officer or director of the Company shall be indemnified by
the Company against expenses including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and
settlements actually and reasonably incurred by that person in connection with a
legal proceeding as a result of such relationship, whether or not the
indemnified liability arises from an action by or in the right of the Company,
if the officer or director acted in good faith, and in the manner believed to be
in or not opposed to the Company's best interest; and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct
was unlawful. Such indemnity is limited to the extent that (i) such person is
not otherwise indemnified and (ii) such indemnification is not prohibited by the
DGCL or any other applicable law.
 
    Any indemnification under the previous paragraph (unless ordered by a court)
shall be made by the Company only as authorized in the specific case upon the
determination that indemnification of the director or officer is proper in the
circumstances because that person has met the applicable standard of conduct set
forth above. Such determination shall be made (i) by the Board of Directors by a
majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors who are not parties to such
action or (ii) if such quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum
of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion. To the extent that a director or officer of the Company shall be
successful in prosecuting an indemnity claim, the reasonable expenses of any
such person and the fees and expenses of any special legal counsel engaged to
determine the possibility of indemnification shall be borne by the Company.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>

    Expenses incurred by a director or officer of the Company in defending a
civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the Company in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such
amount if it shall ultimately be determined that that person is not entitled to
be indemnified by the Company as authorized by the Bylaws.
 
    The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted
pursuant to Article IV of the Bylaws is not deemed exclusive of any other rights
to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be
entitled, both as to action in that person's official capacity and as to action
in another capacity while holding such office.
 
    The Board of Directors has the power to authorize the Company to purchase
and maintain insurance on behalf of the Company and others to the extent that
the power to do so has not been prohibited by the DGCL, create any fund to
secure any of its indemnification obligations and give other indemnification to
the extent permitted by law. The obligations of the Company to indemnify a
director or officer under Article IV of the Bylaws is a contract between the
Company and such director or officer and no modification or repeal of the Bylaws
shall detrimentally affect such officer or director with regard to that person's
acts or omissions prior to such amendment or repeal.
 
    The Company has also purchased insurance for its directors and officers for
certain losses arising from claims or charges made against them in their
capacities as directors and officers of the Company.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
    The following exhibits are filed herewith unless otherwise indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<C>     <S>
  *1.1  --Form of Underwriting Agreement
   2.1  --Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 22, 1993, by and among the Company,
          Interfinancial, Inc., General Furniture Leasing Company and Fortis, Inc.;
          incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to CFR's Registration Statement on Form
          S-1, No. 33-65094, filed on June 25, 1993
   2.2  --First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 31, 1993, by and
          among the Company, Fortis, Inc., Interfinancial, Inc. and General Furniture
          Leasing Company; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to CFR's Quarterly
          Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1993
   2.3  --Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated as of August 31, 1993, between the Com-
          pany and CFR; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to CFR's Quarterly Report
          on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1993
   2.4  --Acquisition Agreement, dated March 15, 1996, by and among the Company, CE Merger
          Sub Inc. and Evans Rents; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the
          Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995
   4.1  --Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as filed with the Delaware
          Secretary of State on November 9, 1995; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
          to Amendment No. 4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No.
          33-97568, filed on November 15, 1995
   4.2  --By-laws of the Company, dated November 9, 1995; incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
          S-1, No. 33-97568, filed on November 15, 1995
  *4.3  --Specimen Common Stock Certificate
  *5.1  --Opinion of Dechert Price & Rhoads regarding legality of the Common Stock being
          registered
  23.1  --Consent of Dechert Price & Rhoads included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1
  23.2  --Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
  23.3  --Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
**24.1  --Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
*  To be filed by amendment.

** Previously filed.

 
                                      II-2

<PAGE>
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
    (a) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
    (b) (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of
the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) For the purposes of determining any liability under the Act, each
post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
 
    (c) For purposes of determining any liability under the Act, each filing of
the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Company certifies that is has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of
the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1
to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, 
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fairfax, Commonwealth of Virginia on 
June 28, 1996.
 
                                          CORT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
 
                                          By:     F.A. ZIEMNIAK
                                              ..................................
 
                                              Frances Ann Ziemniak
                                             Vice President--Finance and
                                             Chief Financial Officer
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed on June 28, 1996 
by the following persons in the capacities indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              SIGNATURE                                        TITLE
- --------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>
            PAUL N. ARNOLD*             President, Chief Executive (principal executive
 ......................................    officer) and Director
            Paul N. Arnold
 
            F.A. ZIEMNIAK               Vice President--Finance and Chief Financial Officer
 ......................................    (principal financial and principal accounting
         Frances Ann Ziemniak             officer)
 
           KEITH E. ALESSI*             Director
 ......................................
           Keith E. Alessi
 
          BRUCE C. BRUCKMANN*           Director
 ......................................
          Bruce C. Bruckmann
 
          MICHAEL A. DELANEY*           Director
 ......................................
          Michael A. Delaney
 
           CHARLES M. EGAN*             Director
 ......................................
           Charles M. Egan
 
             G.B. MAFFEI*               Director
 ......................................
          Gregory B. Maffei
 
            JAMES A. URRY*              Director
 ......................................
            James A. Urry

    *By: F.A. ZIEMNIAK                  Director
 ......................................
         Frances Ann Ziemniak
          Attorney-in-Fact






</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4


<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                                   PAGE
- -------                                                                                   ----
<C>       <S>                                                                             <C>
   23.2   --Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP...........................................
   23.3   --Consent of Ernst & Young LLP...............................................
</TABLE>



                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                              ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT
 
The Stockholders and Board of Directors
  CORT Business Services Corporation:
 
    We consent to the use of our reports included herein and incorporated herein
by reference and to the reference to our firm under the headings "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts" in the Prospectus. Our report on the
consolidated financial statements refers to a change in accounting for income
taxes by CORT Furniture Rental Corporation, the Predecessor to CORT Business
Services Corporation.
 
                                          KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
 
Washington, D.C.
June 28, 1996



                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3
 
                              ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT
 
To Stockholders and Board of Directors
  CORT Business Services Corporation:
 
    We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the reference to
our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Los Angeles, CA
June 28, 1996





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