The Pickleball Bounce: How Restaurants Are Luring Consumers with Courts

The pickleball craze has been dominating headlines for years, but its popularity has also spawned a new trend: dine-in pickleball venues that combine recreational sports with fine dining. This fusion of activity and cuisine is changing the way people experience leisure and giving restaurants a much-needed revenue boost.

Pickleball’s accessibility, social aspect, and low-impact nature have attracted millions of players in the United States. The sport’s popularity has also driven the convergence of food and play, as restaurants seek to lure a broader demographic with unique experiences.

Chicken N Pickle, a dine-in pickleball chain founded in 2016, is at the forefront of this trend. With 13 locations across several states, the restaurant-cum-court concept offers great food and entertainment, along with an atmosphere that encourages repeat business. According to Kelli Alldredge, president of Chicken N Pickle, the goal is not just about providing a good meal but also creating a space where people want to return – paddle in hand or not.

Experts point out that pickleball’s ease of play makes it accessible across generations and skill levels. This accessibility, combined with its social aspect, has created a perfect storm for eatertainment venues. Many patrons at Electric Pickle visit solely for the food, rather than just playing pickleball.

This is where the real money-making potential lies: increasing dwell time and encouraging customers to spend more while they’re at the venue. Eatertainment concepts rely on the activity as a loss leader to drive revenue from food and beverage sales. According to Ray Camillo, founder of Blue Orbit Restaurant Consulting, this strategy is not only working but also changing the way people approach dining out.

The rise of dine-in pickleball venues poses challenges, however. With no industry standard for tracking such establishments, it’s difficult to gauge their true impact on the market. Pickleheads lists over 100 US locations with courts and food, while USAPickleball reports a staggering 18,258 places to play nationwide – although not all of these have restaurants attached.

As the trend continues to gain momentum, it’s worth considering what this means for the future of entertainment and dining. Will we see more venues adopting this model? And how will consumers respond to this fusion of activity and cuisine?

One thing is certain: pickleball has become a game-changer in the world of eatertainment. As numbers continue to soar, it’s clear that this sport – and its accompanying venues – are here to stay. The future of these establishments lies not just on the pickleball court but also in the kitchens of these restaurants. As consumers become increasingly accustomed to unique experiences, it’s up to the industry to keep innovating and pushing the boundaries of what we expect from dining out.

As this trend unfolds, one thing is clear: the game of pickleball has only just begun – both on and off the court.