

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts is a well-known franchise of family-focused campgrounds inspired by the beloved Yogi Bear™ cartoon. Established in 1969 under the name Jellystone Campgrounds Ltd. in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, the brand has grown to more than 75 independently owned locations spread across the United States and Canada.
The franchise features a wide range of lodging options, including cabins, RV spots, tent areas, and yurts. Families visiting Jellystone Park can look forward to a variety of on-site attractions, such as swimming pools, splashgrounds, water slides, jumping pillows, wagon rides, mini-golf, and meet-and-greets with Yogi Bear™ and his friends.
In 2022, Sun Communities acquired the brand, rebranding it as Camp Jellystone. This change sparked a renewed focus on upgrading operations and expanding the franchise network by converting private campgrounds into Jellystone Park™ locations using a streamlined turnkey conversion program.
What makes Jellystone Park truly stand out is its playful Yogi Bear™ branding and themed experiences, which create a memorable atmosphere for families. Combined with its diverse accommodations and robust lineup of activities, the franchise offers a one-of-a-kind camping destination unlike typical campgrounds.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Camp Jellystone offers a comprehensive training structure for franchisees to ensure consistent brand and operational standards. Here is a breakdown of the key programs:
Camp Jellystone grants franchisees a designated territory, usually a 25-mile radius from the front entrance of their Camp-Resort, along primary access routes. This territory is defined in both a map and written description, with the written description controlling if discrepancies arise.
While the franchisor agrees not to place another company-owned or franchised Camp-Resort in this territory, it does not guarantee exclusivity against all forms of competition. Franchisees are allowed to advertise and solicit business outside their designated territory, including in areas assigned to other franchisees, provided they do not establish a physical presence there.
Similarly, other franchisees may advertise and promote within a franchisee’s territory, and there is no exclusive right to the use of the Camp Jellystone marks outside the Camp-Resort. Additionally, the designated territory may be adjusted upon renewal of the franchise agreement based on factors like population and market changes.
Below are some of
Camp Jellystone
key competitors in the
Other Recreation
sector.

79
$15,000
$257,000
$1,648,000
n.a.
$1,674,000
$xxx,xxx
92.0%
n.a.
35.2%
n.a.

Cork & Candles is an experiential retail franchise offering guided custom candle-making with drinks and events, serving social groups, date nights, and corporate outings, and known for immersive scent bars, Instagram-ready studios, and highly repeatable, workshop-driven revenue.
?
?

Social Play Haus is a family-focused hospitality franchise offering a café, bar, and indoor play spaces, serving parents with young children, and known for drinks, kid-friendly menus, birthday parties, and flexible zones where adults relax or work while kids explore.
?
?

Sheenco Travel is a travel-services franchise offering bespoke luxury itineraries to Ireland, the UK, and nearby destinations, serving affluent leisure travelers, and known for castle stays, private-driver tours, and highly personalized planning that emphasizes memorable, relationship-driven experiences over standardized packages.
?
?

Trolley Pub, Trolley Party, Paddle Pub and Tiki Pub is a mobile entertainment tour franchise offering pedal-powered party bikes and boats, serving social groups and tourists, and known for BYOB experiences, scenic routes, and celebratory outings on streets and waterways.
?
?

Animal World is a children's indoor-play franchise offering themed playgrounds, inflatables, and birthday-party packages, serving families with young kids, and known for its animal-themed equipment, multiple revenue streams, and affordable, flexible franchise model tailored to local communities.
?
?

Bud’s Place is a lounge-franchise offering social-consumption cannabis lounges with food, beverages and entertainment, serving adults in regulated markets, and known for upscale ambiance, multiple revenue streams, and emerging industry positioning.
?
?
Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.
Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.
Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.
A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.