Camp Jellystone Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts is a franchise of family-oriented campgrounds themed around the popular Yogi Bear™ cartoon character. The franchise was founded in 1969 as Jellystone Campgrounds Ltd. in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and now includes over 75 independently owned and operated locations across the United States and Canada.
The company offers a variety of camping accommodations, including cabins, RV sites, tent sites, and yurts. Guests can enjoy numerous attractions such as pools, water slides, splashgrounds, jumping pillows, wagon rides, mini-golf, and character interactions with Yogi Bear™ and his friends.
In 2022, the franchisor was purchased by Sun Communities and renamed Camp Jellystone. This acquisition led to revitalized operations and a focus on converting existing privately held campgrounds to the Jellystone Park™ system, providing a turnkey conversion package to facilitate the transition.
The franchise differentiates itself through its unique branding with Yogi Bear™ and related characters, offering themed accommodations and activities that enhance the family camping experience. This distinctive theming, combined with a wide range of attractions and accommodations, sets Jellystone Park apart from other campground franchises.
The most profitable franchises to own in 2025
We have compiled the list of the top 400 franchises across 9 industries. Download the report below.
Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Camp Jellystone franchise? It costs on average between $257,000 – $1,648,000 to start a Camp Jellystone franchised center.
This includes costs for construction, equipment, inventory, and initial operating expenses. The exact amount depends on various factors, including the type of campground facilities you choose, the location, and whether the franchisee decides to lease or purchase the property.
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $15,000 |
| Utilities | $0 – $125,000 |
| Buildings | $0 – $1,000,000 |
| Recreational Facilities, Signs, Fixtures, and Miscellaneous Equipment | $75,000 – $250,000 |
| Themed Elements and Initial Inventory | $30,000 – $75,000 |
| Training | $0 |
| Insurance | $44,000 – $70,000 |
| Additional Funds (6 months) | $80,000 – $100,000 |
| Minimum Aggregate Royalty and Service Fee and Marketing, Advertising, and Promotion Fee | $0 in first year; $2,500 in 2nd year; $3,000 in 3rd year; $3,500 in 4th year; $4,000 in 5th year; no minimum thereafter |
| TOTAL | $257,000 – $1,648,000 |
Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a Camp Jellystone franchise? A Camp Jellystone franchised facility makes on average $1,674,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
This compares to $236,000 yearly revenue for other recreation franchises. Below are a few Camp Jellystone competitors as a comparison:
The most profitable franchises to own in 2025
We have compiled the list of the top 400 franchises across 9 industries. Download the report below.
Camp Jellystone Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Camp Jellystone locations are there?
As of the latest data, there are over 75 Camp Jellystone locations across the United States and Canada. These locations are a mix of franchise-owned and company-owned properties.
What is the total investment required to open a Camp Jellystone franchise?
The total investment required to open a Camp Jellystone franchise ranges from $257,000 to $1,648,000.
What are the ongoing fees for a Camp Jellystone franchise?
The ongoing fees for a Camp Jellystone franchise include a royalty fee of 6% of gross revenue. The marketing/advertising fee is 2% of gross revenue, which contributes to national and regional promotional efforts to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement.
What are the financial requirements to become a Camp Jellystone franchisee?
To become a Camp Jellystone franchisee, the financial requirements include a minimum net worth of $1.5 million and a minimum of $500,000 in liquid capital.
These financial requirements ensure that franchisees have the necessary resources to invest in the business and cover initial startup costs, including construction, equipment, and other operational expenses.
How much can a Camp Jellystone franchise owner expect to earn?
The average gross sales for a Camp Jellystone franchise are approximately $1.67 million per location. Assuming a 15% operating profit margin, $1.67 million yearly revenue can result in $146,000 EBITDA annually.
Who owns Camp Jellystone Cafe?
The franchise is owned by Sun Communities, which acquired the brand in 2022. Sun Communities is a leading real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in the ownership, operation, and development of properties in the recreational and residential sectors.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This content has been made for informational and educational purposes only. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented in the article. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
