Top Golf for Pickleball: The Rise of Sportstainment
Pickleball, the sport that's taking the country by storm, is catching the eye of savvy restaurateurs 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 the new go-to spots for folks looking for a fun time, just like neighborhood bowling alleys were in the past.
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 over the next few years we will continue to see a rise of pickleball restaurants.
You'll be able to enjoy a drink while dinking with your friends.
Camp Pickle is set to make its debut in 2024, with locations in 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 has big plans, with a goal of opening 4 to 5 Camp Pickles in 2025, and even offering franchise opportunities in the future.
Chicken N Pickle, which first opened its doors in 2016 in Kansas City, has already expanded to six locations and has plans to open three more this year and three more in 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 pickleballtainment site called Electric Pickle will in open in 2023.
The venue will be located in Tempe at Jewel Street and Emerald Drive, just north of Warner Road, and will be Electric Pickle's first location in the US.
Electric Pickle will 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.
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Eureka! Restaurant Group, the California-based parent company of Rockets & Pineapples and Electric Pickle, plans to open more locations in Texas and the Southwest, and a second Electric Pickle venue is in the works for the Scottsdale area. The company also recently announced plans to open Electric Pickle in southwest Las Vegas in 2023.
"Electric Pickle aims to be the Topgolf of pickleball," said Paul Frederick, co-founder of Eureka! Restaurant Group. With its combination of pickleball courts, high-quality food and drinks, and social atmosphere, Electric Pickle is poised to become a top destination for pickleball enthusiasts and those looking for a fun time.
As pickleball continues to gain in popularity, more and more pickleball-themed restaurants are popping up all over the country. These new concepts offer a unique and exciting entertainment experience for customers, and they provide restaurateurs with a fresh chance to tap into the growing demand for sportstainment. Whether you're a seasoned pickleball player or just looking for a good time, these venues are sure to be a hit.
