The Flying Pickle, a social pickleball club created by Paul Starita, Nick Peterson, and Susannah Barr, is expanding into a franchise after growing interest from across the country. With help from franchise law firm Spadea Lignana, the team is turning their fun, community-focused idea into a fast-growing business model.
From One Club to Many
Paul Starita began playing pickleball in 2022 and quickly saw more than just a sport — he saw a chance to build something unique. Together with professional players Nick Peterson and Susannah Barr, he launched The Flying Pickle, a club where people don’t just play but also connect.
“After we opened our first club, people from all over started reaching out,” -(Paul Starita).
“They wanted to know how we did it — and how they could bring it to their own communities.”-(Paul Starita)
At first, they planned to open more company-owned clubs. But with growing interest, the team decided to start franchising in 2023.
Legal Help Leads the Way
To set up the franchise system, The Flying Pickle partnered with Spadea Lignana, a law firm that helps businesses become franchises.
“Spadea was a huge help, They walked us through everything — building our FDD [Franchise Disclosure Document], explaining how to use it to support our franchise sales and helping us stay on track with compliance.”-(Paul Starita)
Unlike other clubs that focus only on indoor courts, The Flying Pickle centers on community, energy, and fun. That’s what made it stand out and why many want to bring it to their towns.
“There’s no clear roadmap when it comes to franchising a pickleball concept”-(Paul Starita)
“Everyone is figuring it out in real time, which is why having a partner like Spadea has been so important. They’ve seen it all before and helped us avoid mistakes along the way.”-(Paul Starita)
Early Wins and Big Plans
Since completing the legal steps, The Flying Pickle has signed leases for two more company-owned locations and added four new franchisees within weeks. These early steps have helped boost momentum and confidence.
Still, the team is not rushing to grow. They want the right people to join — those who care about members and building strong local communities.
“We’re not just selling access to courts, we’re creating a place where people come to connect. That’s something we’re really proud of.”-(Paul Starita)
Lessons and the Road Ahead
Looking back, Paul Starita said one of the smartest choices was picking the right support team.
“If you’re thinking about franchising, get a good law firm and consulting team. We spent a lot of time making sure we picked the right ones, and it made a huge difference,” -(Paul Starita)
With its mix of fun, fitness, and social vibes, The Flying Pickle is showing how pickleball can be more than just a game. It can be a place to belong.
News in Brief: The Flying Pickle
The Flying Pickle is expanding from a single club into a national franchise. Founded by Paul Starita, Nick Peterson, and Susannah Barr, the brand blends social fun with sport. With legal help from Spadea Lignana, the team added four new franchisees and plans more clubs, focusing on community over courts alone.
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