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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.
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Franchise Costs
8% royalty + 2% ad fund + $1,750/yr administrative fee
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
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
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Unlock financial performance dataKOA 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
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
KOA Current | $109K – $957K | $15K | 8.0% | 427 |
| Camp Jellystone | $324K – $2.4M | $75K | 4.5% | 77 |
| Ferncrest | $478K – $1.7M | $50K | 7.0% | 2 |
| RADISSON INDIVIDUALS | $2.9M – $56.2M | $75K | 6.0% | 1 |
Specialty Lodging Average 4 franchises | $942K – $15.3M | $54K | 6.4% | – |
* 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
+31 more states
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for KOA franchisees (2010 – 2025)
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
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
448 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
448 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
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Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently 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.
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