Pickleball courts double as restaurants in growing US ‘eatertainment’ market
US venues are combining pickleball with food, drinks, memberships and events, but operators face rising costs and uncertainty over whether the sport’s boom will last.
Pickleball venues are increasingly being designed as dining and entertainment destinations across the United States, combining courts with restaurants, drinks, memberships and private events. The model aims to attract casual players while extending visits and generating revenue beyond court bookings.
Al Jazeera reported that Pickleheads lists more than 100 US establishments offering both pickleball courts and food, although there is no industry-standard count. The sector includes multi-location concepts such as Chicken N Pickle, Electric Pickle, Crush Yard and Pickle & Social, as well as independent venues.
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association reported that US pickleball participation rose 171.8 per cent between 2022 and 2025. It said 24.3 million Americans played in 2025, up 22.8 per cent from the previous year. Short games, group play and relatively low equipment requirements have helped make the sport suitable for casual customers.
Operators are using food and beverage programmes, memberships, corporate events and kitchen rentals to build recurring revenue. Chicken N Pickle, which opened its first venue in 2016, now operates 13 locations across seven states. Monthly memberships at popular venues reportedly range from $75 to $149, although affordability has emerged as a concern.
The venues are also attracting investors and landlords because large facilities can occupy former big-box retail sites and bring traffic to suburban shopping areas. Al Jazeera cited estimates that eatertainment visits last 90 to 120 minutes, compared with 45 to 60 minutes at a casual restaurant, while a 2019 SevenRooms study found that 21 per cent of Americans surveyed were willing to pay more for an eatertainment venue.
The model remains exposed to high build-out costs, market saturation, weak off-peak demand and competition from free public courts. Operators and investors are considering whether venues could be converted to padel or other activities if pickleball demand falls, but the sport’s long-term popularity and the model’s sustainability remain unresolved.
