How a Reluctant Pickleball Player Built a Kingdom
Last Edited
Aug 19 2024
Category
Community
One of the most familiar narratives in pickleball begins with, "It was during the pandemic..."
Ace Rodrigues, Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, says his neighbors were buzzing about this seemingly-new sport.
Despite their repeated invitations, he remained skeptical.
"I felt like there was an inside joke that everyone was a part of except me because I couldn't understand how they started doing something new, and overnight, they were all obsessed with it," Ace says.
It wasn't until a particularly stagnant Tuesday evening when his wife prodded him to join in that he stepped onto a pickleball court for the first time.
And there begins another familiar pickleball narrative.
Ace’s initial reluctance quickly melted away. Within minutes, he was exhilarated, declaring to anyone who would listen, “This is the greatest sport ever!”
That moment set the stage for a remarkable journey. He started gathering friends, organizing impromptu tournaments, and quickly became a “superspreader” of pickleball enthusiasm.
On January 9, 2021, during a makeshift tournament, Ace looked around at players of all ages and backgrounds enjoying the game and realized pickleball had a universal appeal.
But he also saw a challenge: the outdoor conditions were far from ideal. If pickleball could move indoors, it would solve many logistical problems and offer a more controlled, enjoyable environment for players.
From the start, Ace knew that indoor pickleball was just the foundation of his vision. The real challenge was creating a scalable and engaging experience. He set out to build not just a facility, but a community.
With a focus on enhancing every aspect of the player’s experience, he established core values that would guide Pickleball Kingdom’s growth:
- Life is better with pickleball
- Competition is fun!
- Pickleball is good for you physically, socially, and spiritually
- Our greatest asset is our community
- We respect our teammates, and you are our teammate!
Building a Better Indoor Pickleball Facility
Like most locations where a bunch of strangers become less estranged over pickleball, the initial Pickleball Kingdom facility in Chandler, Arizona quickly became more than just a place to play.
"Having fun playing pickleball anywhere is not hard to do, the sport itself takes care of that. Our focus was to build community," he says.
"People love playing at the Kingdom, but more importantly, they love the people they meet at the Kingdom. That's truly priceless on so many levels."
It was a hub of social interaction. Ace wanted to remove all social barriers to playing and focus on giving guests an authentic pickleball experience.
So he brought in elements that tend to break the ice:
- Free intro to pickleball classes
- Community and corporate events
- Professional coaching for players of all skill levels
- Competitive and/or social play in leagues & tournaments
By the end of their first year franchising, Pickleball Kingdom had awarded over 350 franchises which elevated the brand to become the largest franchiser of pickleball venues worldwide.
The franchise model is not just a business opportunity, it is a chance to be part of something larger, a global community centered around pickleball.
"I call my franchisees the 'Kings and Queens of the Kingdom.' They are royalty to me," Ace says.
Learn more about Pickleball Kingdom & franchising opportunities by sending a message to jared@thekitchenpickle.com.
"They come from all walks of life, but all have success flowing through their veins. They have won at something else, sometimes entrepreneurially and sometimes corporately, but they've all stood on the gold medal stand."
What Pickleball Kingdom Franchisees have come to experience:
- Expert operational support
- Industry-leading AUV (revenue per location)
- Diverse revenue streams
- Unparalleled community engagement
Pickleball 101: Learn the Game for Free
One thing which separates Pickleball Kingdom from other indoor pickleball facilities is their signature Pickleball 101 courses.
These are free classes that teach newbies the basics of the game — twice a day, at all locations.
The sessions are always taught by verified pickleball instructors and designed to cater to both completely-new players or those looking for a refresh on key skills.
Dee Lipps found more than just a game when she walked through the doors of Pickleball Kingdom.
Diagnosed with celiac disease, Dee was searching for a place where she could belong despite the challenges her condition brought.
What she found was a community that offered her not just acceptance, but a sense of purpose:
After enrolling in a Pickleball 101 class, Dee and her girlfriend discovered a world of connection and camaraderie.
“Pickleball Kingdom isn’t just a facility to me; it’s my social lifeline,” Dee shared. The friends she’s made here have become like family—people who understand her struggles without letting them define her.
For Dee, Pickleball Kingdom is more than a place to play; it's a place to live.
For those interested in joining this dynamic and expanding community, Ace’s message is simple: “Welcome to the Kingdom!”
Learn more about Pickleball Kingdom & franchising opportunities by sending a message to jared@thekitchenpickle.com.
Join Pickleball’s Greatest Community
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter to be the most well-informed pickleball fan on the court, featuring news, giveaways, and much more!
