mileshuff wrote:
KOA is largely very unfairly bashed for a reason that cannot be applied to most other parks. KOA's are a national chain but independently owned and operated. What other nationwide RV park has this kind of national exposure and recognition? .
Take this line of thinking and apply it to nationally branded hotels chains. Are they "unfairly bashed" even though the vast majority of them are franchises? Having built them in the past, I can tell you the difference. A brand clearly defines expectations in exacting detail. They make the franchisee escrow a substantial sum as part of the contract. They monitor the facilities, and the user experience, and deal with any owner who doesn't want to follow the play book. This can be a light smack on the wrist, a written warning following a secret shopper stay, a small fine, etc... or, this is can be as drastic as cutting access to the reservation system, removing signage from the property, and forfeiting the bond.
It isn't rocket science, but if you are going to be a valuable brand, in the franchised lodging industry, that's how you keep the flock in line. Doesn't matter if you are renting rooms in downtown St. Louis, or full hook-up sites in Wisconsin, if you want a valuable brand, with a high user satisfaction rating, you can't have shining stars and dumps all flying the same corporate flag.
