ChatGPTClaudeCursorGemini
The only franchise database you can use inside ChatGPT, Claude & Cursor. Learn more →

1,700+ FDDs structured for franchise professionals

We extract fees, Item 19 financials, franchisee contacts, SBA default rates, litigation, and outlet data from every FDD — so you can compare brands in minutes, not months. Used by multi-unit operators, consultants, and franchise development teams.

KOA

KOA

Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) franchises the development and operation of recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds that provide camping facilities and services under the KOA brand. Franchisees must offer camping sites for RVs, travel trailers, and tents, adhering to minimum quality standards and amenities specified by the franchisor. The business model relies on franchising to a broad target market of campers including families, singles, young and old individuals across various income levels, with sales often seasonal based on location.

427locations
$109K–$957K
Since 1963
ServicesBillings, MTKOAH, Inc.www.koa.comDisclaimer

Loading preview...

Unlock FDD download

Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase

Franchise Costs

Franchise Fee
$15,000
Initial Investment
$109,000 – $957,000
Royalty Rate
8.00%
Brand Fund
2.00%
Fixed Monthly Fees
$146 – $146

8% royalty + 2% ad fund + $1,750/yr administrative fee

Financial Performance


Item 19 Financial Performance

Average Gross Revenue
$707,151
Median Gross Revenue
$501,821
Top Quartile Revenue
$1,518,092
Bottom Quartile Revenue
$263,870

Data Based On: 67 Converted Campgrounds operating as KOA franchised campgrounds as of December 31, 2024, reporting registration revenue from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2024.

* Calculated average and median 2024 registration revenue from the 'GROSS REGISTRATION REVENUE HISTORY FOR CONVERSION CAMPGROUNDS' table for 67 converted franchised campgrounds. Revenue of top quartile is the average of the top 17 (approx. 25%) performers' 2024 revenues. Revenue of bottom quartile is the average of the bottom 17 (approx. 25%) performers' 2024 revenues.

Extracted Item 19 Section

Avg. Revenue: $707,151

Unlock financial performance data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports

Unlock financial performance data

KOA Franchise Analysis

Imagine pitching a tent under the stars as a business model—KOA has mastered it since 1963, turning campgrounds into a branded empire for RV enthusiasts and families. Item 19 finally pulls back the curtain on revenue realities, while recent system shifts and SBA financing patterns whisper tales of resilience amid seasonal swings. But with a slight dip in locations, is this the evergreen opportunity it seems, or a gamble on wanderlust?

Item 7 lays out the financial entry: a $15,000 franchise fee kicks off an initial investment spanning $109,000 to $957,000, heavily influenced by land costs and campground scale in high-demand recreational spots. Ongoing fees bite at 8% royalty plus 2% brand fund and a $1,750 annual admin charge, standard for a network boasting 427 franchised locations alongside 51 corporates. Item 19 shines brightly here, disclosing average gross revenues of $707,151 and a median of $501,821—strong figures for a seasonal operation targeting diverse campers, though profitability hinges on occupancy peaks in summer and strategic off-season events.

System health shows maturity with a -1% dip from 432 to 427 locations year-over-year, yet optimism lingers via 24 projected new units and 20 transfers, against just 6 terminations and 4 non-renewals. SBA data underscores commitment: 54 loans averaging $1,076,952 signal banks' faith in the model. For buyers eyeing specialty lodging, KOA's half-century track record and revenue transparency make it compelling, but probe location-specific seasonality and land acquisition in FDD Items 11 and 19 to gauge true ROI potential.

Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.

How KOA Compares

Key Insights

  • One of the lowest investment costs in Specialty Lodging (ranked #1 of 4)
  • #1 largest franchise system in Specialty Lodging
FranchiseInvestmentFeeRoyaltyLocations
KOA
Current
$109K – $957K$15K8.0%427
Camp Jellystone$324K – $2.4M$75K4.5%77
Ferncrest$478K – $1.7M$50K7.0%2
RADISSON INDIVIDUALS$2.9M – $56.2M$75K6.0%1
Specialty Lodging Average
4 franchises
$942K – $15.3M$54K6.4%

* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5.

Locations & Growth


Outlet Growth Over Time

Total outlets at end of each year

Geographic Distribution (2024)

Outlets by state across the United States

Top States
1CA
25
2TX
23
3CO
22
4FL
18
5OH
17
6NY
16
7MI
15
8PA
15
9OR
15
10MT
14
11SD
13
12UT
12
13NM
11
14AZ
11
15TN
11

+31 more states

Unlock location growth data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports

Unlock location growth data

SBA Loan History


Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for KOA franchisees (20102025)

Total Loans
54
Average Loan
$1,076,952
Total Volume
$58.2M
Default Rate
0.0%

Loans by Year

SBA 7(a) loan activity over time

* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.

54 SBA loans on record

Unlock SBA loan history with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports

Unlock SBA loan history

Franchisee Contacts

448 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.

448 Contacts Available

Unlock all KOA franchisee contacts with verified contact information

Unlock contacts

Due Diligence


Litigation (Item 3)

Franchisee Cases0
No litigation involving franchisees reported

Bankruptcy (Item 4)

Bankruptcy HistoryNo
No bankruptcy history reported

System Health (Item 20)

Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year

Terminations
6
Non-Renewals
4
Reacquired
0
Ceased Ops
5
Transfers
20
Sold to Franchisees
0
Projected New
24

Unlock due diligence reports with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports

Unlock due diligence reports

Frequently Asked Questions

The total initial investment to open a KOA franchise ranges from $109,000 to $957,000. This includes a franchise fee of $15,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 8.0% of gross sales.