How to Finance a More Than Pickleball Franchise: Club Build-Out
By Anthony Cornella
A More Than Pickleball franchise loan funds an indoor pickleball club that pairs climate-controlled courts with a social layer: a sports bar, viewing areas, lessons, leagues and youth programs. Because the business combines a large-footprint recreation venue with food and beverage service, the financing centers on a long lease or building purchase, court construction, bar and kitchen equipment, and enough cash to carry the club while memberships and programs fill up.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by More Than Pickleball; the name is used only to describe the business. Fees, investment ranges and requirements come from the franchisor’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and can change. Loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing in this article is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and accountant.
More Than Pickleball Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: an indoor, climate-controlled pickleball club with a sports bar and social seating overlooking the courts.
- Home base: the original club and corporate office are in Buford, Georgia, in metro Atlanta.
- Programming: open play, reservations, lessons and clinics, leagues, youth programs and a pro shop.
- Franchise system: a young, emerging system; check Item 20 of the FDD for current franchised and company-owned club counts.
- Franchise fee, royalty and investment: disclosed in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the FDD; we could not confirm current figures from the franchisor’s own published materials.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “More than Pickleball” under code S8358, with a note about a lease rider when real estate secures the loan.
What Is More Than Pickleball?
More Than Pickleball is built on the idea that a pickleball club can be a community hub, not just a place to rent a court. The flagship in Buford, Georgia, offers indoor courts with permanent nets and lines, a pro shop, coaching and youth programming, and elevated seating where players and guests can eat, drink and watch games.
That mix matters for financing. Court fees and memberships provide recurring revenue, while the bar and food side adds per-visit spending and gives non-players a reason to come. Events, corporate outings, tournaments and private rentals can fill off-peak hours.
How lenders see an indoor pickleball club. Lenders recognize pickleball’s growth, but they underwrite each club on its own merits. They focus on the cost and term of the real estate, the size of the build-out, the strength of the local player base, competing facilities nearby and the operator’s ability to manage both a recreation business and a licensed bar. A young franchise system adds weight to the borrower’s own experience and liquidity.
More Than Pickleball Franchise Costs
Use the current FDD and contractor quotes for your building to build every line of your budget.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the fee, when it is paid and whether any portion is refundable. It is an intangible cost, typically paid from your equity or included in an SBA 7(a) loan.
Building and real estate. Indoor courts need wide, column-free space with high ceilings, which usually points to warehouse, big-box retail or light-industrial buildings. Rent, deposits and any landlord work during construction can be large, and some owners consider buying the building.
Court construction and build-out. Expect court surfacing, permanent nets and posts, court lighting, HVAC sized for a large volume of air, restrooms and locker rooms, netting or dividers, a check-in desk and the mezzanine or seating areas that make the social model work.
Bar, kitchen and hospitality equipment. A sports bar adds draft systems, coolers, ice machines, bar fixtures, televisions, furniture and, depending on the menu, kitchen equipment and ventilation. Liquor licensing costs and timelines vary widely by city and county.
Technology and opening costs. Court-booking and membership software, point-of-sale systems, cameras, sound, signage, pro shop inventory and pre-opening payroll and marketing all belong in the budget.
Working capital. Item 7 includes “additional funds” for an initial period. A club pays rent and staff while memberships, leagues and events ramp up.
Item 7 categories to carry into your loan request:
- Initial franchise fee
- Real estate, lease deposits and rent during construction
- Architecture, permits and leasehold improvements
- Court surfacing, nets, lighting and dividers
- HVAC, restrooms and locker rooms
- Bar, kitchen and furniture
- Booking, point-of-sale and audiovisual technology
- Signage, pro shop inventory and opening supplies
- Training, insurance, licenses and liquor permits
- Grand opening marketing and additional funds
Lenders check that your line items add up to a total inside the Item 7 range for your club size.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and brand fund. Item 6 lists the royalty, any marketing or brand fund contribution and any required local marketing spend. Because these come out of revenue before debt service, lenders deduct them when sizing a More Than Pickleball franchise loan.
Technology fees. Booking platforms, membership management and other required software may carry recurring charges disclosed in Item 6.
Occupancy and utilities. Large buildings carry large rent, property tax and utility bills, and climate control for an open court floor is a real monthly cost. Lenders weigh occupancy expense heavily in a club’s break-even analysis.
Reinvestment. Courts need resurfacing over time, and the franchise agreement may require periodic upgrades. Ask how often and plan for it.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify the franchisor’s current net worth, liquidity or experience requirements from its own published materials. Ask for current standards and confirm them against the FDD. Indoor sports franchisors generally favor candidates with meaningful liquid capital, management or hospitality experience, community connections and the ability to secure a suitable building.
The approval process. Expect introductory calls, FDD delivery, a financial review, market and site evaluation, a discovery visit and final approval. Begin lender conversations early, because site control, financing and franchisor approval all depend on each other.
Ways to Own a More Than Pickleball Club
Opening a new club. Most owners in an emerging system will develop a new location. That means finding a building, negotiating a long lease or purchase, permitting, construction and a pre-sale campaign for memberships. See our page on family entertainment start-up financing.
Buying an existing club. As the system grows, operating clubs may change hands. A resale offers real membership and bar sales data, and the franchisor must approve the transfer. Learn about family entertainment acquisition loans.
Converting an existing facility. If the franchisor allows conversions, a building that already houses courts or another recreation use could shorten construction. Confirm conversion terms in the FDD before you price the deal.
Financing Options for a More Than Pickleball Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. The brand’s SBA Franchise Directory listing makes the SBA 7(a) loan program a primary option. A 7(a) loan can cover the franchise fee, build-out, equipment, furniture and working capital, and it can include real estate.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the building, the SBA 504 loan program is designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived improvements, and it can pair with a separate loan for the operating costs.
Conventional term loans. Experienced operators with strong balance sheets may use conventional business loans, particularly for real estate or an acquisition with a track record.
Equipment financing. Court lighting, nets and dividers, ball machines, bar equipment, kitchen equipment and audiovisual systems can be financed on their own terms. Explore entertainment equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Membership presales may not cover the months before and after opening, and summer can soften indoor demand in some markets while winter peaks. A line of credit smooths those swings. Read about working capital and lines of credit for entertainment venues.
Seller financing on resales. A selling owner may carry part of the price on a note. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules can restrict their terms.
SBA Loans for More Than Pickleball Franchisees
SBA lenders generally require a franchise brand to appear on the SBA Franchise Directory before they make an SBA-backed loan to its franchisees. A listing means the franchise documents have been reviewed for eligibility; it does not approve any borrower. Our article on SBA loans for family entertainment centers covers the basics for venue owners.
The brand’s listing. The directory shows “More than Pickleball” under code S8358, with this note: when the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Rider to Lease Agreement may not be executed.
What the note means. A franchisor’s lease rider usually gives the franchisor rights in the location, such as notice of defaults or the ability to take over the space. Those rights can clash with a lender’s interest when the borrower owns the real estate and pledges it as collateral. So if your SBA loan is secured by the property where the club operates, the rider should not be signed. If you lease the building and no real estate secures the loan, the note generally does not apply, though your lender will still review the lease.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, and program rules can change. Large clubs that include real estate may combine programs or add equity to fit.
How Lenders Evaluate a More Than Pickleball Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit reports, tax returns and a personal financial statement, plus a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Your cash injection must be documented and seasoned, and reserves after closing matter for a project with a long build and ramp-up.
Management experience. Experience running a gym, club, restaurant, bar or sports program strengthens the request. Lenders want to see who will manage day-to-day operations, the bar and programming.
Business plan and projections. Build projections from court count, hours, reservation and open-play pricing, membership tiers, league and lesson revenue, events and food and beverage per visit. Model a realistic ramp-up and seasonal patterns. Our article on financing an emerging franchise explains how to present a young brand.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 17, 19 and 20. Item 19 shows whether financial performance representations are provided; Item 20 shows how many clubs are open and how the system has changed.
The building. For a lease, lenders want a term at least as long as the loan, with renewal options, plus clear terms for landlord work and use restrictions. Our entertainment venue lease article covers what to negotiate.
Real-World Scenarios
A former club manager leasing a warehouse. A tennis and fitness club manager leases a high-ceiling warehouse. An SBA 7(a) loan funds court construction, the bar, technology and working capital, and the plan shows a membership presale before opening.
An investor buying the building. A buyer with real estate experience purchases a vacant big-box building. A 504 loan finances the property and improvements, while a separate loan covers equipment and opening costs.
A hospitality operator adding a club. A restaurant owner opens a club and uses equipment financing for the bar and kitchen, leveraging existing staff and vendor relationships.
Multi-Unit Growth
If the franchisor offers multi-club or area development agreements, the FDD discloses any development fees and opening schedules. Lenders generally want the first club stable before funding a second, and they look at the combined cash flow and debt. Sign a development schedule only if you can finance each club on time without draining reserves.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating HVAC, lighting and building upgrades for an open court floor
- Ignoring liquor licensing timelines when planning the opening date
- Projecting mature membership levels in the first months
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Overlooking nearby competing courts and recreation venues
- Starting construction before financing is approved
Review more entertainment center loan mistakes before you apply.
Next Steps to Finance Your More Than Pickleball Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Review the fee, investment, renewal and transfer items with your advisors.
Step 2: Confirm requirements. Ask the franchisor for current net worth, liquidity and experience standards.
Step 3: Find a building. Look for ceiling height, clear span, parking and zoning that allows a bar.
Step 4: Estimate payments. Use our SBA loan calculator for planning-only estimates, which are not an offer or approval.
Step 5: Build the plan. Gather construction, equipment and technology quotes and monthly projections with a ramp-up.
Step 6: Apply and close. Align loan closing with franchisor approval, lease signing, permits and the construction schedule.
More Than Pickleball Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a More Than Pickleball franchise cost?
The estimated initial investment appears in Item 7 of the current FDD and varies with building size, court count and real estate. Request the latest FDD for the current range.
What are the franchise fee and royalty?
They are disclosed in Items 5 and 6. We could not confirm current amounts from the franchisor’s own published materials.
Is More Than Pickleball eligible for SBA loans?
Yes, the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8358. Each borrower must still qualify.
What does the lease rider note mean?
It applies when the club’s real estate secures the SBA loan; in that case the franchisor’s Rider to Lease Agreement should not be signed.
Can I finance the bar and court equipment separately?
Yes. Lighting, nets, bar and kitchen equipment and audiovisual systems can often be financed with equipment loans or leases.
Can I buy the building with my franchise loan?
Yes. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans can finance owner-occupied real estate, subject to eligibility and appraisal.
Can a first-time owner get a More Than Pickleball franchise loan?
It is possible with strong liquidity, a capable management team and franchisor approval. Hospitality or club experience helps.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Item 10 of the FDD discloses any financing from the franchisor or its affiliates.
How long is the franchise term?
The term, renewal and transfer rules appear in Item 17. Lenders compare them with the loan term.
What documents do I need?
Tax returns, a personal financial statement, a résumé, the FDD and franchise agreement, a lease or purchase contract, construction and equipment quotes and a business plan.
Final Thoughts
More Than Pickleball blends recreation and hospitality in one building, and its SBA Franchise Directory listing opens the door to SBA financing. A successful More Than Pickleball franchise loan request depends on the right building, careful construction budgeting, conservative ramp-up projections and enough liquidity to reach stable membership.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and buyers finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise business loans and family entertainment center financing.
