Franchisees Raj Chellani and Atul Bhagat look to open five locations in the Bay Area.
One of the nation’s fastest growing indoor pickleball providers has struck a new deal in the West.
Pickleball Kingdom announced that it reached a multi-unit franchise agreement for the development of five indoor pickleball clubs in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Franchisees Raj Chellani and Atul Bhagat are aiming to open locations in San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Fremont, with additional sites to follow as the partnership expands throughout the region.
“We see an enormous opportunity to bring world-class indoor pickleball to the Bay Area,” said Raj Chellani. “We’re building more than clubs. We’re building gathering places where people of all ages and skill levels can connect, compete, and have fun.”
Each of the new California locations will feature climate-controlled indoor courts, professional coaching and clinics tailored for all skill levels, youth development programs, leagues play and tournaments, lounge areas, and space for hosting community and corporate events.
“Pickleball Kingdom stood out to us because of its commitment to community and the strength of its franchise system,” added Atul Bhagat. “We’re excited to grow this brand across the entire Bay Area and give our community a place to play and make lasting connections.”
Pickleball Kingdom is continuing to build momentum in California. The franchise said last month’s club opening in Roseville, California was “record-breaking” and “met with an overwhelming response from the local community.” Altogether, Pickleball Kingdom has nine locations open or in development in the Golden State.
“Our growth in California continues to accelerate to match the great demand for a premium indoor pickleball experience,” said Ace Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom. “Raj and Atul have the vision and drive to deliver the Kingdom experience, and the Bay Area is going to love what Pickleball Kingdom has to offer.”
Chellani brings experience from starting, developing, and scaling businesses, with a focus on real estate investments and operating companies. Bhagat is a silicon engineering leader turned tech entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience developing software solutions.
“Raj and Atul represent the gold standard of franchise partnership,” said Rob Streett, president and chief global officer of Pickleball Kingdom. “They bring a rare combination of sophisticated business acumen with a deep-rooted passion for community building. Their investment is a powerful endorsement of our vision and a catalyst for our expansion across the Bay Area.”
Pickleball Kingdom currently has 14 locations open in 9 states. The brand’s first club opened in 2022 in Chandler, Arizona.
Information about franchise opportunities with Pickleball Kingdom can be found https://pickleballkingdom.com/franchise/.
