Frequently Asked Questions
Financial Obligations
How much is the franchise fee to become a Jellystone Park™?
There is no franchise initiation fee to become a Jellystone Park. In addition, you will receive a conversion package valued at over $11,000 that includes: a 10 foot Yogi Bear™ Statue, a Yogi Bear character costume, and a credit towards your Jellystone Park entrance sign.
What are the franchise royalty payments?
There is a 1 percent marketing fee plus a 0.5 percent Club Yogi Rewards royalty applicable to all gross revenues.
A 6 percent operating royalty is paid only on the growth you have above your current business. Example: If your current gross sales are $500,000 for the past 12 months, 6 percent is paid only on the gross dollars above $500,000.
Are there minimum royalty payments?
Yes, if the total of the 1 percent marketing fee, 0.5 percent Club Yogi Rewards, and 6 percent operating royalty is less than the minimum payment schedule.
Year 1 = no minimum payment is due.
Year 2 = $2,500 ($500 + $1,000 + $1,000)
Year 3 = $3,000 ($1,000+$1,000+$1,000)
Year 4 = $3,500($1,000+$1,000+$1,500)
Year 5 = $4,000 ($1,000+$1,500+$1,500)
TOTAL = $13,000
Are there additional financial considerations to become a Jellystone Park™ franchisee?
Yes, the Yogi Bear 10 foot statue and entrance sign must be installed at your cost. (As noted above, we provide the statue and a credit toward the purchase of an entrance sign.)
Jellystone Park branded facility signage will be required. Buildings such as the registration area, camp store, laundry, playground and other park amenities will require Yogi Bear-themed signage to build brand awareness as a Jellystone Park. The number and cost of the signs will vary depending on the number of amenities at your facility and size of the signs you choose. A branded signage package costs between $3,000-$15,000 for your campground.
New franchise locations need to purchase Yogi Bear branded merchandise to sell to guests. An average first order of merchandise for resale can be $3,000-$21,000, but we require a minimum of $6,000. Remember, however, that merchandise is an important profit center for your campground. In addition, Camp Jellystone’s retail team will assist you with store layout, order selection, display options and other questions you may have.
Facilities & Operations
What are the minimum facility requirements to be a Jellystone Park™?
In order to maintain the high standards of operation that Jellystone Park™ guests expect, we require certain amenities to be in place or an expansion plan that includes:
- minimum 125 RV sites and four rental units
- 3-5 yr. business plan (Director of Franchise Sales can assist you with this)
- store/registration area
- pool
- modern comfort stations and laundry
- pavilion/recreation center
- playground equipment
- theatre
- planned activities program (We provide training to help develop or grow your recreation program.)
- dump station
Will I be required to build a waterpark to become a Jellystone Park™?
No, the only water attraction Camp Jellystone requires is a swimming pool.
If you wish to add a water feature – like a splashpad – we strongly suggest that you: (a) Develop a 5-year business plan. Camp Jellystone staff can assist you with this. (b) Work with a contractor who can help you determine occupancy and revenue based on campgrounds they have worked with. (c) Check all state and local zoning codes for regulations pertaining to the construction of any amenity prior to purchase. (d) Check with your insurance company for coverage rates for this or any other amenity you wish to add.
Will I be required to purchase from only Jellystone Park vendors?
We encourage you to meet with our many preferred vendors while attending our Trade Show to take advantage of their Camp Jellystone pricing programs. However, if you have a vendor that supplies the same product or service, you can continue to work with them. Please note, however, that all items utilizing the Jellystone Park brand and characters (Yogi Bear, Boo Boo, Cindy Bear, Ranger Smith) must be purchased from an approved vendor list. These items have been approved by Warner Brothers for resale and use in our franchise parks.
Do you have a preferred Reservation Program?
Yes, we are currently rolling out a new program called CampSpot. It is a requirement of the Franchise Agreement that all franchise locations utilize this reservation and POS program.
Franchise Agreement
How big will my preferred territory be?
We look at demographics, RV ownership, and other factors when we consider a territory for a new franchise. It’s our goal to be fair to the park owner, but allow for other quality campgrounds to join if the market size allows.
How long is the franchise agreement for?
Seven (7) years.
What is the FDD that I must sign?
Under the FTC’s franchise disclosure rule, which became effective July 1, 2008, franchisors are required to disclose specific information about their franchise to prospective franchisees. This document is called a “franchise disclosure document (FDD).”
By signing this form, you acknowledge receipt of the FDD. It must be returned to Camp Jellystone before additional steps can be taken to support the sale of a franchise.
Are there additional resources I should consider before we purchase a franchise?
Camp Jellystone strongly suggests that prior to making any decision regarding a franchise you read “A Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Franchise”. Click on this link to download a copy of the PDF from the Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/consumers-guide-buying-franchise
Training
Do you charge to attend your annual Trade Show and Symposium?
No, there is no charge to attend. Other franchise companies may charge, but we feel it’s one of the best ways to understand our business, so it is open to prospects and current franchisees. (Note: Attendees are responsible for their travel and hotel costs.)
Is training included?
Yes, we provide a variety of training programs for both new and existing franchisees. There are no fees to our franchisees for in-person or online training. (Note: Attendees are responsible for their travel and hotel costs.)
Susan Novotny – South Haven, MI
Within 5 years, we have more than tripled our revenue. We have no regrets becoming a franchisee of Jellystone Park!
Bill Pott – Cave City, KY
I really like the way it brings me a nice class of customers. I get happy families. I get people who want to come and to spend money to have fun. They enjoy our park. It’s just wonderful they way they come in, and you get so many that want to meet the other guests, they want to go have fun on the Jumping Pillow, then they want to go to the Splash Pad – and they want … Read more
Joey Coleman & Rick Coleman – Tabor City, NC
In 2001, we began a unique challenge to build a campground on our family farm 35 miles inland from Myrtle Beach. People responded to our design of large concrete pads, full hook-ups, plenty of open space, and ultimate customer service. But we soon had “growing pains” with procedures and operations.
In 2003, we joined Jellystone Park™. The operations… Read more
Bob & Beth Ryan – Mannford, OK
Our family has been a franchisee for over 30 years. The support that both the franchisor and fellow franchisees offer goes above and beyond expectations.
Rich & Nancy Felber – Mt. Gilead, OH
After 5 years with the Jellystone Park franchise, we have shown a 75% revenue increase and our confidence in the future is at an all-time high!
Erv & Marilyn Banes – Frankenmuth, MI
We decided to convert to the Jellystone Park™ system in 1996 because the market conditions were changing. Several of our colleagues had converted and grown in the process. We found that by changing our customer base to families, rather than seniors, we expanded.
The advantage of a Jellystone Park™ is that it is so much more alive than the average park. Plu… Read more
Denny Quigley & Tami Alessio – Harrisville, PA
2011 was our first year as a Jellystone Park™. Since then, we have definitely noticed that we are attracting a lot more guests from a much larger radius that extends nationwide. And we are seeing more guests from Canada. Over this three year time period, our store sales have increased almost 45%! The increased business also helped to allow us to do… Read more
Rick Spear – Estes Park, CO
We’ve been in the Jellystone Park franchise system for 20 years this year. It was a family endeavor to begin with, but over those 20 years we’ve seen significant growth of our campground. In particular, just the last three years in a row we’ve been up double digits, 10-11% points three years in a row. We’ve really been coming on strong, and continue to see good… Read more
Theresa Isaacson – Caledonia, WI
We’re going to be entering our 13th season, and I sure would hate to own a property without being Yogi branded. The reason we really like Jellystone Parks is because of the support behind us. With 80 other parks in the system, we have 80 sources of question-and-answer type people to go to. The support is wonderful. The franchise, the CJS system itself – their … Read more
Daren & Lorraine Carlson – Hocking Hills, OH
The Jellystone Park brand has made a huge difference in our business. If we had 50 more sites and more cabins, they’d be filled every weekend.