The pickleball franchise has sold more than 500 locations.
By Andrew Carlo
One of the nation’s largest pickleball franchises has set its sights on expansion in Japan.
The Picklr announced that it reached a franchise agreement with Nippon Pickleball Holdings, Co. Ltd. The Salt Lake City, Utah-based franchise has sold more than 500 locations globally with plans for more than 80 to open by the end of 2025.
According to The Picklr, Japan and the overall Asian-Paific region represents a big opportunity. With grassroots support for pickleball growing, Japan is quickly becoming a focal point for the brand.
The first Picklr facility is slated to open in the Tokyo metropolitan area, with 20 clubs planned in the country within the next five years. Targeted facility locations include Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Miyagi, Hiroshima, and Okinawa.
“Japan is known for valuing precision, wellness and community — all things built into The Picklr DNA. Expansion into this market allows us a chance to help shape what pickleball looks like on a global stage, ” said The Picklr CEO Jorge Barragan. “For us, Japan is more than a market — it’s a launchpad for how The Picklr can lead the charge in Asia, just like we’ve done in the U.S. We’re not just creating courts; we’re creating a culture. And we believe that culture will resonate in Japan.”
The Picklr said the new facilities in Japan will be located in retail, office, light-industrial, and purpose-built spaces, while being designed to meet the needs of local communities. The new locations will maintaining The Picklr’s consistent, premium experience, the company noted.
“Our mission is to set a new standard for the sport in Japan, combining professional-grade facilities, top-tier programming, and a scalable model that can support long-term growth, said Kenton Stehr, CEO of Nippon Pickleball Holdings. “Japan deserves a world-class pickleball experience, and it was clear, based on what The Picklr has built in the US, that we will be able to deliver that to the Japanese market.”
Development of the new overseas locations will be overseen and supported by The Picklr’s corporate team in Utah. Although the brand’s signature features will remain consistent, the Japan team will have the flexibility to develop partnerships uniquely suited to their respective market.
For franchise information about The Picklr, visit thepicklr.com/franchise,
