The Pickle Pad Expands Along the East Coast: The Pickle Pad, a new pickleball concept from Indoor Active Brands, is rapidly expanding along the East Coast after securing a seven-unit franchise deal. Founded in 2023, The Pickle Pad combines competitive pickleball courts with family-friendly entertainment, offering an all-inclusive experience for players and non-players alike. As pickleball continues to grow in popularity across the U.S., The Pickle Pad’s innovative approach adds a restaurant and a variety of games, creating an exciting environment for families and sports enthusiasts.
This seven-unit deal, signed by Vikas Kapila from Richmond, Virginia, marks a major milestone in The Pickle Pad’s expansion. Kapila plans to open locations in Virginia and South Carolina, helping to bring The Pickle Pad’s unique blend of pickleball and entertainment to new communities. The debut location in Tallahassee, Florida, set the tone with premium courts, ping pong, darts, billiards, and Crave Social Eatery—a concept inspired by the customer-centric model of Top Golf.
With initial investment costs between $1.3 million and $1.9 million and facility sizes ranging from 15,000 to 40,000 square feet, The Pickle Pad aims to establish itself in the highly competitive sports and entertainment market. The key question is whether this combination of sports, dining, and entertainment will reshape how families experience pickleball.
The Pickle Pad’s Expanding East Coast Presence
The Pickle Pad’s growth along the East Coast follows the success of its first location in Tallahassee. Richmond-based entrepreneur Vikas Kapila, an avid pickleball player, signed a seven-unit franchise deal to launch new venues in both Virginia and South Carolina. The expansion aims to meet rising demand for pickleball, while offering a broader experience that appeals to families and communities.
“I have an independent mindset, so I always wanted to do a business, I tried doing a couple on my own, but it was a challenge and instead of growing the business, I was focused on making ends meet. So, that’s where the idea came in to research franchising, and get into a process with a proven model.” – Vikas Kapila
Kapila’s journey into franchising came after years of trying to build businesses independently. He realized that franchising offered a proven model with less risk. The Pickle Pad’s blend of sports and family entertainment strongly influenced his decision. “Pickleball is the focus, but it offers a full family experience,” said Kapila, emphasizing the value of providing diverse entertainment options.
Robert Morris, Vice President of Development at The Pickle Pad, underscored the commitment to quality. “Our courts match the standard of those used for the U.S. Open,” Morris noted. His goal is to create an experience that keeps guests coming back, with attention to every detail ensuring a premium, customer-focused atmosphere.
“When building out the pickleball courts, we didn’t want to skimp out.”
“You’re playing on the same type of courts that are used for the U.S. Open. It’s that style of surface. We don’t want to skimp on anything. We want everything to be guest focused, where they see and appreciate what the owners have done.” – Robert Morris
From Software Engineer to Pickleball Franchise Owner
Vikas Kapila’s transition from a career in software and telecommunications to pickleball franchising is an inspiring one. The COVID-19 pandemic led Kapila to rediscover his love for sports, and pickleball quickly became a passion. Spending hours daily on the court, he saw potential in the sport’s growing popularity across the U.S. and decided to explore franchise opportunities.
The Pickle Pad stood out to Kapila because of its mix of high-quality pickleball courts and broader family-friendly entertainment. The concept appealed to him as both a pickleball enthusiast and an entrepreneur. “I saw the demand and thought, ‘why not be part of something so popular?’” Kapila explained. Now, with support from The Pickle Pad, Kapila is bringing his passion for pickleball to new communities, offering spaces that serve both dedicated players and families looking for fun.
“It was a good mental and physical space for me in 2021 and 2022, I started to think to myself over time, ‘why not do something in a space where there’s so much demand?’”
“They had pickleball at the core, but gave an experience that was good for a full family outing, That was the attraction, and the second thing was they added in the restaurant section. It’s a whole other revenue system.” – Vikas Kapila
As The Pickle Pad continues its expansion along the East Coast, its unique approach—blending pickleball with family-friendly games and dining—has the potential to change how people experience the sport. With leaders like Robert Morris and Vikas Kapila driving growth, The Pickle Pad could become a go-to destination for pickleball enthusiasts and families alike.
“Vikas has lived in Richmond for more than 20 years, He’s part of that community. It allows the venue to have all the advantages of being a national brand, with the vendor relationships and logistics, but we as franchisors can’t be experts in everyone’s local area. So, Vikas can be an ambassador owner.” – Robert Morris
“I wanted to look at tourist spots, not just in the community I know, I wanted the brand to be about people having fun as a family. From that perspective, it felt right to look at Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. That will let us grow with tourists, while still being a place a lot of local residents can enjoy, too.” – Vikas Kapila
News in Brief: The Pickle Pad Expands Along the East Coast
The Pickle Pad, a pickleball and family entertainment concept founded in 2023, is expanding rapidly along the East Coast after securing a seven-unit franchise deal with Vikas Kapila of Richmond, Virginia. Combining competitive courts with games, dining, and family-friendly activities, The Pickle Pad aims to offer an all-inclusive experience. Kapila plans to open locations in Virginia and South Carolina, following the success of the debut venue in Tallahassee, Florida.
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