Top Golf for Pickleball: The Rise of Sportstainment
Pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, caught the eye of restaurateurs as of early 2023 who see a huge opportunity in creating massive venues that cater to pickleball players and other social games.
These "sportstainment" companies, like Camp Pickle and Chicken N Pickle, are betting that these types of venues will be popular spots for folks looking for a fun time, much like neighborhood bowling alleys once were.
We've all seen the likes of top golf and bar themed put put golf popping up all over the country. These sport restaurants merge the social atmosphere of bars with the fun and entertainment of relaxing sports. Pickleball, the easy to play and quick to get started sport, is perfect for this. This is why more pickleball restaurants may be on the way.
You'll be able to enjoy a drink while dinking with your friends.
As of 2023 reports, Camp Pickle was planning to debut in 2024, with locations planned for Denver and Huntsville, and it's got a vintage summer camp vibe that's hard to resist.
The concept features "from-scratch" dining, craft beverages, and both indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, plus other entertainment options like duck-pin bowling, dart lounges, and private karaoke rooms.
It appeals to a wide range of people, from Gen Z to the boomer crowd, and it takes up between 50k and 75k square feet of indoor and outdoor space. ''
The company reportedly aimed to open 4 to 5 more Camp Pickles in 2025 and to offer franchise opportunities later.
Chicken N Pickle, which opened its first location in the Kansas City area in the mid-2010s, had expanded to six locations as of early 2023 and planned to open more in 2023 and 2024.
The company is targeting major metropolitan areas with populations over 1 million, and is looking for spots in active areas of the city, close to other popular attractions.
Chicken N Pickle is big enough to be a destination in its own right, and it can anchor the development around it.
In Arizona, another pickleball-and-dining site called Electric Pickle was planned to open in 2023.
The venue will be located in Tempe at Jewel Street and Emerald Drive, just north of Warner Road, and was planned as Electric Pickle's first location in the US.
Electric Pickle was planned to feature nine pickleball courts, as well as space for cornhole and bocce ball, and a two-story restaurant with three bars, including a rooftop bar and balcony that can accommodate up to 600 guests. The venue will also offer live music and gatherings outside.
The Electric Pickle promises "high-quality food and beverage options," including Mexico City-inspired tacos, Korean protein bowls, backyard-style burgers, handcrafted cocktails, California wines, and North American craft beers.
Eureka! Restaurant Group, the California-based parent company of Electric Pickle, announced plans for more locations in the Southwest. Check each venue's website for current openings, as plans change.
"Electric Pickle aims to be the Topgolf of pickleball," said Paul Frederick, co-founder of Eureka! Restaurant Group.
As pickleball has grown in popularity, more pickleball-themed restaurants and entertainment venues have been opening around the country. These concepts offer an entertainment experience for customers, and they give restaurateurs a way to tap into the growing demand for "sportstainment." Opening dates and details reflect early 2023 reporting and may have changed.
