How to Finance The Flying Pickle Franchise: Courts and Cantina
By Anthony Cornella
The Flying Pickle franchise loan is a different animal from a typical storefront loan. It pays for an indoor pickleball club with a full-service restaurant and bar under the same roof, which means a large building, specialized court and lighting work, a commercial kitchen and the cash to carry the club while its membership base grows.
The brand is young as a franchise system, and its fees and investment details live in its Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) rather than on public pages. Below: how the concept works, what lenders focus on and what its SBA listing means.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by The Flying Pickle; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice, and buyers should review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a qualified franchise attorney and accountant.
The Flying Pickle Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: indoor pickleball clubs that pair courts with an onsite restaurant and bar serving a cantina-style menu.
- Origin: the first club opened in Meridian, Idaho, followed by a second Idaho club in Nampa’s Sugar District.
- Revenue streams: memberships, guest passes, open and organized play, private court rentals, lessons from pro coaches, tournaments, youth camps, events, a pro shop and food and drink.
- Franchisor support: the company says it handles site selection and project management for franchise partners.
- Fees and investment: the franchise fee, royalty, marketing contributions and estimated initial investment appear in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the current FDD; request it before sizing a loan.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S8289, with a note about the Collateral Assignment of Lease when real estate secures the loan.
What Is The Flying Pickle?
The Flying Pickle began as a single large indoor pickleball facility in Meridian, Idaho, launched with the involvement of local professional players. The founders say that after the Meridian club opened, visitors kept asking how they could bring the same kind of club to their own communities, and the company began offering franchises in response.
Courts plus a cantina. What sets the brand apart from court-only clubs is hospitality. Clubs combine climate-controlled courts with a restaurant, bar and café, so players stay after matches and non-players have a reason to come in.
How players pay. Clubs sell monthly memberships alongside guest passes, open-play and organized-play sessions, and hourly private court bookings, with pricing that can vary between peak and off-peak hours. Coaching, clinics, youth camps and a pro shop add more revenue.
Why lenders view it the way they do. Lenders see a young franchise system in a fast-growing sport, a large-footprint building and two operating businesses in one: a sports facility and a restaurant with a liquor license. That puts weight on the buyer’s liquidity, hospitality experience, the lease or property and realistic membership assumptions.
The Flying Pickle Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The fee and any multi-club development fee are set out in Item 5 of the FDD. Ask whether signing for more than one club changes the fee per location.
Building and build-out. For most buyers, this is where The Flying Pickle franchise loan does its heaviest lifting. The original Meridian club was a converted industrial space, and work typically covers flooring, court surfaces and nets, sports lighting, heating and cooling, restrooms, a front desk, a pro shop and lounge areas.
Restaurant and bar. The food side adds a commercial kitchen, hood and fire suppression, walk-in refrigeration, bar equipment and draft systems, dining furniture and point-of-sale systems. A liquor license and health permits add cost and lead time.
Opening costs and working capital. Presale marketing, hiring coaches, cooks and bartenders, opening inventory, deposits and insurance all hit before steady revenue.
Total investment. The estimated initial investment and each line item behind it are disclosed in Item 7 of the FDD. When you receive it, look for lines such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Rent, security deposits and pre-opening occupancy costs
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Court surfacing, nets, posts and sports lighting
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
- Kitchen, bar and café equipment
- Point-of-sale, booking and member management technology
- Opening inventory for food, beverages and the pro shop
- Liquor license, permits and professional fees
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Line up each Item 7 category against contractor bids, equipment quotes and the lease for your building. Lenders expect the loan request to reconcile to both.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and marketing. Royalty, brand fund and local marketing requirements, technology fees and any other recurring charges are disclosed in Item 6. Check whether royalty applies to all revenue, including food and alcohol sales, because that changes the cash left for debt service.
Occupancy and utilities. Rent, property taxes, insurance and the cost of heating and cooling a large building can outweigh franchise fees.
How lenders factor these costs in. Underwriters project memberships, court revenue and food and beverage sales, subtract labor, cost of goods, rent, utilities, royalty and marketing, and test whether the remainder covers loan payments with room to spare. The ramp-up period gets particular attention.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The Flying Pickle does not publish minimum net worth or liquid capital requirements in materials we could verify. Ask the franchise development team for current requirements and confirm them in the FDD. Lenders will separately expect enough personal liquidity for an equity injection plus reserves after closing.
The approval process. Expect calls with the development team, an FDD review, talks with current owners and formal approval. Since the company manages site selection, ask early who signs the lease and how the timeline fits your loan closing.
Ways to Own a Flying Pickle Club
A new club. Most buyers will open a new location. Lenders underwrite on the FDD, the lease or purchase contract, construction bids and a membership-based projection. Our overview of start-up loans for entertainment venues explains how these deals are typically structured.
Buying an existing club. As the system matures, some clubs may be sold, subject to the franchisor’s transfer approval. A resale lets a lender see actual membership counts, food and beverage sales and tax returns. See our page on acquiring an entertainment business.
Multiple clubs. Investors who want a market can discuss development rights with the franchisor; each club needs its own funding plan.
Financing Options for The Flying Pickle Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can combine the franchise fee, build-out, courts, kitchen and bar equipment, opening costs and working capital in a single package, subject to approval.
SBA 504 loans. If you buy the building, an SBA 504 loan is designed for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived assets such as major mechanical systems and building improvements. Read the SBA note below before choosing this route.
Conventional term loans. A conventional business loan may suit buyers with strong liquidity, outside collateral or cash flow from other businesses.
Equipment financing. Sports lighting, scoreboard or video systems, HVAC units, kitchen lines, walk-in coolers, bar and draft equipment and point-of-sale hardware can often be financed or leased on their own schedule. Learn more about equipment financing for entertainment venues.
Working capital and lines of credit. Payroll, food inventory and utilities start before memberships hit their target. A line of credit can also help with seasonal swings, such as busier indoor play in cold or very hot months. See our working capital and credit line options.
Seller financing on resales. When buying an existing club, the seller may carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA programs may limit how they are structured.
SBA Loans for The Flying Pickle Franchisees
The SBA Franchise Directory lists brands whose agreements have been reviewed for SBA eligibility. A listing approves no borrower; it only clears the franchise relationship.
The brand’s listing. The Flying Pickle appears on the directory under code S8289. Its note says that when the real estate where the franchise is located secures the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Collateral Assignment of Lease may not be executed.
What that note means. A collateral assignment of lease lets a franchisor step into a franchisee’s lease after a default. When the borrower owns the building and pledges it for the SBA loan, that franchisor right would compete with the lender’s lien, so the assignment is not signed. If you lease your building, the note does not change the usual lease review.
SBA application tips. For The Flying Pickle franchise loan requests, a strong package includes the current FDD, the lease or letter of intent, construction and equipment bids, a liquor license plan, a projection that separates court and food revenue, and a personal financial statement. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
How Lenders Evaluate a Flying Pickle Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns, a personal financial statement and any past business results.
Net worth and liquidity. A large build-out calls for a meaningful equity injection and post-closing reserves for the ramp-up.
Industry and management experience. Restaurant and bar experience counts heavily here, as does experience running a fitness, sports or membership business. A plan for a strong general manager and kitchen lead helps.
Business plan and projections. Build from membership presales and a realistic monthly ramp, then add court rentals, open play, lessons, leagues, events, pro shop and food and beverage. Our article on financing an emerging franchise explains how lenders look at newer systems.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders review term, renewal, transfer and territory provisions, Items 3 and 4 for disclosed history, Item 20 for the outlet count and whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations. See how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document.
Site, lease or real estate. The lease term should cover the loan term, with renewal options, and any landlord improvement allowance should be in writing. Our article on lease terms for entertainment venues covers what to negotiate.
The Food and Beverage Side of the Loan
The restaurant and bar are what make this concept distinct, and they shape the loan in several ways. Kitchen and bar build-outs need hoods, grease management, plumbing and health department approval, so a building that looked cheap as a warehouse can become costly once a kitchen is added. Liquor licensing rules and timelines vary widely by state and city, and a delay can push back opening while loan payments begin.
Food and drink can also lift spending per visit, but lenders will want a menu plan, staffing plan and food cost assumptions.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development
Owners usually finance one club at a time. Once the first club has membership data and operating statements, lenders can weigh its cash flow alongside the next build. Keep equity and reserves for every club on the schedule.
Real-World Scenarios
A restaurateur entering pickleball. A restaurant operator leases a former industrial building and uses SBA 7(a) for the fee, build-out, courts, kitchen and working capital. The lender credits the food experience and asks for a seasoned club manager.
Buying the building. A buyer purchases the building with an SBA 504 loan and finances lighting, kitchen equipment and technology separately, keeping in mind the directory note on the collateral assignment of lease.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sizing a loan before receiving and reviewing the current FDD
- Budgeting a warehouse conversion without a kitchen, hood and mechanical assessment
- Starting the loan clock before the liquor license timeline is clear
- Assuming memberships will reach target in the first months
- Signing a lease shorter than the loan term
- Leaving too little working capital for two businesses under one roof
For more pitfalls, read common entertainment center loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Flying Pickle Franchise
Step 1: Request the FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 12, 17, 19 and 20 with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 2: Confirm the franchisor’s requirements. Ask about net worth, liquidity and experience expectations and how site selection works.
Step 3: Estimate payments. Use our SBA loan calculator for early planning estimates, which are not an offer or approval.
Step 4: Evaluate a building. Get mechanical, structural and kitchen feasibility reviews and contractor bids.
Step 5: Build a two-sided projection. Model court revenue and food and beverage separately, with a realistic ramp.
Step 6: Apply for financing. Submit the FDD, lease or purchase contract, bids, projections and personal financial documents.
Step 7: Close and open. Coordinate funding draws with construction, licensing, hiring and presales.
The Flying Pickle Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does The Flying Pickle franchise cost?
The estimated initial investment is disclosed in Item 7 of the current FDD. Your actual cost depends on the building, the number of courts, the kitchen and bar scope and local construction prices.
What is the franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is set out in Item 5 of the FDD.
What royalty and marketing fees apply?
Royalty, brand fund and other ongoing fees are listed in Item 6. Ask whether they apply to food and alcohol sales as well as court revenue.
Is The Flying Pickle eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8289, so qualified borrowers may use SBA financing, subject to lender approval and the directory note about the collateral assignment of lease.
Can I buy the building with my loan?
Yes, if you will occupy it, through an SBA 504 or conventional real estate loan. Under the directory note, the collateral assignment of lease is then not signed.
Can I buy an existing club?
Possibly, as clubs come up for sale. Any transfer requires franchisor approval, and lenders will review the club’s actual financial history.
Does The Flying Pickle offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the current FDD for any franchisor financing. Most buyers arrange their own loans.
Does the FDD include financial performance information?
Review Item 19 of the current FDD to see whether it includes financial performance representations.
How long is the franchise term?
The term, renewal and transfer conditions are in Item 17 and the franchise agreement. Lenders prefer a term at least as long as the loan.
Final Thoughts
The Flying Pickle franchise loan finances a sports club and a restaurant in one building, so the strongest requests start with the FDD, a realistic building budget, a clear liquor license plan and enough working capital for a membership ramp. Bring those pieces together and approach lenders early.
US Professional Funding helps franchise buyers and owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and family entertainment financing solutions.
