Herschend, founded in 1950, is a privately held company that owns and operates more than 40 themed entertainment properties across North America. The business welcomes over 15 million guests annually through a portfolio that includes theme parks, aquariums, and live entertainment. Notable holdings range from Dollywood Parks & Resorts in Tennessee and Silver Dollar City in Missouri to the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team.
The company's operational footprint spans multiple states, including New Jersey, Kentucky, Georgia, and Pennsylvania, with recent expansion through the 2025 acquisition of Palace Entertainment properties such as Kennywood, Dutch Wonderland, and Silverwood. Herschend employs approximately 12,000 people, whom the company refers to as "hosts."
As the largest family-held themed attractions company in the United States, Herschend states its core purpose as bringing families together through experiences. Roles across its properties range from guest services and operations to entertainment and facility management.
