In The Kitchen
Growing the Game: How Pickleball Lincoln is Engaging the Next Generation
With an eye on the future of pickleball, Pickleball Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska is actively working to attract and engage younger players to the sport with great results.
Formed in 2017 with six dedicated outdoor courts, the club has grown to 40 outdoor dedicated pickleball courts around Lincoln with over 1,500 members and 3,000 website members and 18 indoor courts. Lincoln Nebraska has been recognized as a top pickleball hot spot one of the biggest pickleball clubs in the state.
Peckleball Palace in Salt Lake City Finds Success in a Small Space
Bigger is not always better as evidenced by Peckleball Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah. Open since early 2023, Peckleball Palace was Salt Lake City’s first indoor pickleball facility.
Owner Russ Morgan said having three courts allows the facility a lot of opportunities and attracts a lot of players with nearly 3,000 account holders after only two years in business.
“Our main goals is we want people to come here and enjoy playing pickleball,” Russ says. “And being a smaller facility lets us try and do different things!”
Here are four ways you can take advantage of owning a smaller club too!
Pickleball Omaha Has Found the Sweet Spot with Tournaments
The popular phrase “A little competition never hurts anyone” rings true in many sports including pickleball. As your club grows and players gain skills it’s only natural that members will want to see how they stack up against the competition.
For 11 years Pickleball Omaha has been connecting residents with the sport of pickleball and so much more. The club helps over 1,000 members keep dinking with leagues, tournaments, open play and social gatherings. We spoke with Justin ‘JD’ Drake, President of Pickleball Omaha, to hear his tips and tricks on growing successful tournaments.
How Marketing has Helped the Al Kruse Pickleball Center Expand Membership and Continue to Grow
How Marketing has Helped the Al Kruse Pickleball Center Expand Membership and Continue to Grow
Chicken N Pickle Employee Benefits Program
Chicken N Pickle is one of the premier entertainment-focused pickleball venues in the country. With its indoor/outdoor pickleball complex, a variety of yard games, and hearty restaurant, Chicken N Pickle is a unique experience that seeks to serve its guests well. However, their guests are not the only ones well-served by the company as they offer their employees a robust benefits package to show their appreciation and care in addition to their wages. Of their benefits program, Jessica Sharpsteen, Chicken N Pickle’s Director of Human Resources, Training, and Recruiting, says, “Our benefits are in line with our core values. [We] want to ensure our team members have [the] insurance coverage they need to be happy and healthy but also feel valued for the time they give back to the community.” While it requires sacrifice on the company’s part, Chicken N Pickle understands the need to make their team members feel valued in order to run a successful business and does so through several generous elements within their benefits program.
The Pickle Lodge Ensures Member Satisfaction with Court Time Availability
With over 1,700 paying members and thousands of drop-in members, The Pickle Lodge in Cincinnati, Ohio, has found a successful formula for keeping its 17 indoor courts full and their membership steady.
Player Experience Coordinator Ethan Shutte says keeping members happy is key to their success.
“We make sure the members have what they need and put them first by catering to them as much as possible,” he says.
Since its soft opening in June of 2023, The Pickle Lodge has used the Court Reserve booking system that allows all players to select their own court time. Ethan says the system is easy to use and every player is encouraged to download the app in order to book through their phone. Players who don’t want to use the app can also book online through the website. The app allows players to book open play, round-robins, clinics, leagues and lessons. Ethan says he hasn’t heard any complaints from members about the app that proves it’s working as it should.