Emerging Franchise Brands Seek to Tap into the Growing Popularity of Pickleball

Pickleball, a sport that combines elements of badminton, ping-pong, and tennis, is currently experiencing explosive growth in popularity worldwide. From celebrities like the Kardashians and Mark Cuban to regular folks looking for a fun, easy-to-play game, people of all ages and backgrounds are flocking to the pickleball courts. Now, the first franchise of its kind, Ace Pickleball Club, is set to debut in March with an indoor courts model.

Jay Diederich, founder and CEO of Ace, discovered pickleball with his wife during the pandemic when they were looking for an active activity to do. They quickly fell in love with the game's simplicity and competitive nature, but found it difficult to play outdoors due to weather and other environmental factors. That's when Diederich came up with the idea to create an indoor pickleball club, drawing on his experience in the indoor trampoline world.

Ace Pickleball Club is opening its first unit in Roswell, Georgia, with 14 indoor regulation size courts and technology on every court to allow for live streaming and instant replay. Monthly memberships are expected to cost between $89 and $129. The company plans to offer optimal playing conditions and avoid issues like rain or extreme heat, which can interfere with outdoor play. According to the 2023 APP Pickleball Participation Report, 36.5 million people played pickleball last year, indicating a significant demand for indoor facilities.

While Ace Pickleball Club may be the first franchise of its kind with an indoor courts model, there are other "eatertainment" concepts like Pickle & Social, Chicken N Pickle, and Smash Park that combine pickleball with food and beverage options. Additionally, the American Pickleball Association has been offering franchises since 2019 with a focus on managing leagues and running tournaments. My Backyard Sports, which builds sports courts in people's backyards and community centers, has also seen an increase in demand for pickleball courts.

Despite its popularity, pickleball has its detractors. Neighbors at River Canyon Estates in Bend, Oregon, banned the game from their tennis courts due to the noise and disruption caused by the constant "pok-pok-pok" of balls hitting paddles and dogs running loose. However, most enthusiasts see pickleball as a fun, easy-to-play game that brings people together. As Michael Kraner, founder of My Backyard Sports, puts it, "I think anything that brings people together, especially coming out of COVID and in a world full of strife, is a great thing."

https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_news/new-franchises-angle-for-share-of-pickleball-action/article_8dab8d9a-af05-11ed-8006-977d0a2b844e.html