Pickleball-and-chicken chain to make its debut in Indianapolis
Chicken N Pickle, a fast-expanding Kansas City-based entertainment chain, is expanding its presence in the Midwest.
Real estate firm Thompson Thrift has sold a 1.5-acre parcel of land in the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers to the company. Chicken N Pickle locations include a casual, chef-driven restaurant and sports bar, plus pickleball courts and yard games, bringing entertainment to Fishers District, the 123-acre, mixed-use development that Thompson Thrift is currently expanding.
Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the nation for the the past five years, and it is estimated that the new Fishers location will generate over 700,000 visitors annually. Founded in 2015, Chicken N Pickle currently operates nine locations in several states, with seven locations planned in markets such as Omaha, Neb., Allen, Texas, Henderson, Nev. and two in the Denver suburbs of Parker and Thornton.
“At Chicken N Pickle, we invented the idea of combining high-quality food, craft cocktails, and the ever-growing sport of pickleball,” said CEO Brad Clarke in a statement last year. “And now, we’re scaling the concept so we can bring our fun, unique experience to more people across the country – which can be enjoyed whether or not they play pickleball.”
Pickleball centers are quickly becoming one of the retail real estate industry's fill-your-empty-anchor solutions. Several chains are expanding aggressively, most notably Ace Pickleball Club, which has signed 100 franchisees and has no food-and-beverage component.
The Fishers location is expected to open in 2025. Once completed, the $750-million development at Fishers District will consist of five distinct developments and will offer an array of multifamily, townhome, hotel, dining, shopping and entertainment options.
“The Crossing at Fishers District is already a one-of-a-kind development dedicated to enhancing the Fishers community, so we’re very pleased to welcome a unique, family-focused establishment like Chicken N Pickle to Indiana,” said Ryan Menard, VP of development for Thompson Thrift. “Not only does it offer a distinct dining and entertainment option for the people of Fishers, but it is also expected to create more than 150 new jobs and generate considerable revenue for the city.”
The announcement of the Fishers location comes during Super Bowl week, a big occasion for two of the Chicken N Pickle chain’s most famous investors: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The Kansas City Chiefs’ dynamic duo face off against the San Francisco 49ers this sunday.