Pickleball News
The Picklr pickleball chain debuts in Texas with opening in Fort Worth
Picklr Fort Worth
More pickleball is paddling into Fort Worth: Called The Picklr, it's part of a Utah-based chain, and it opened a location in west Fort Worth/White Settlement at 1705 S. Cherry Ln. on May 24.
The location has 11 indoor courts with outdoor-style surfacing, a pro shop, private event space, unlimited league play, tournaments, and open play.
Rates run about $130 per month or $1350 per year.
According to a release, it's the fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise in the U.S. — they're big on franchising — with nearly 200 clubs Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas, where two other locations are soon to follow: McKinney, which is slated open on June 8, and Hurst, which is anticipated to open in August. Zion Meer is the Fort Worth franchisee.
The Fort Worth opening was attended by PPA Professional pickleball player Tyler Loong and co-founder Austin Wood, plus food trucks, DJ, photo booth, and giveaways.
Although there are several public and private tennis courts in Fort Worth that can be used to play pickleball, the only facility dedicated to pickleball is Courtside Kitchen, a restaurant/pickleball venue that opened in 2021.
The Picklr is headquartered in Kaysville, Utah, north of Salt Lake City, and is a relative newbie in the pickleball realm, founded in 2021 by Wood and Jorge Barragan, an entrepreneur who initially designed pickelball paddles before expanding into the world of indoor pickleball facilities, creating a model they could franchise.
Unlike concepts such as Chicken N Pickle, they're focused primarily on indoor facilities, less on outdoor spaces or food and beverage. They favor re-using vacant spaces such as closed grocery stores; the Fort Worth location is going into a former discount store called Dirt Cheap.
Beyond the franchising, they're also into viewing pickleball as more than just a sport, but something that fosters community, competition, and fun, with leagues and events.
