The Picklr, North America’s fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise, announced its first international expansion into Canada through its Master Franchisee, Winnipeg based TPC Development Corporation (TPC). The strategic partnership plans to open over 65 new indoor pickleball clubs in Canada to meet public demand for the increasingly popular sport.“With more than 400 Picklr locations already sold across nearly every state in the U.S., and with the sport’s popularity continuing to explode on both sides of the border, expanding to Canada was a no-brainer,” says Jonathan Fornaci, Utah-based president and chief operating officer at The Picklr.“Partnering with TPC brings a wealth of experience to the table. Led by a proven executive team, TPC recognized the adoption rate of pickleball in Canada was approaching the same accelerated trajectory as in the US.”According to a recent report by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the last three years, with nearly 40 million participants. Nearly 30% of all players are now in the 18-34 age bracket.Canada has an estimated two million active picklers. While participation rates lag those in the U.S. by several years, the trend lines are moving along the same trajectory.The first Picklr franchise in Canada will open in 2025, and interest in franchise opportunities across the country has far exceeded initial expectations. The Canadian expansion is being facilitated by TPC Development Corp., the master franchisee of The Picklr in Canada. Bernie Plett, Winnipeg-based CEO of TPC, says the Picklr has established a clear “first-mover advantage” in the fast-growing market. TPC recently acquired the exclusive rights to develop, open, operate and sub-franchise all of The Picklr Canada clubs.The plan is to open 65 locations across Canada by 2030 in all provinces and Canada's north, though not Quebec. This is expected to result in 500 courts at 65 facilities occupying more than two million square feet of space.A typical Picklr Club features between 8 and 14 indoor courts, dependent on real estate availability and lease rates for appropriate properties, size of the local pickleball community and several other factors. A population of 100,000 that meets a threshold mean income level would normally support a Picklr Club.The Picklr is now one of the largest tenants of commercial and retail space in the U.S. Now their franchise model offers business opportunities for local sub-franchisees across over 50 Canadian cities with many larger metropolitan areas expected to support multiple Picklr locations. Information for those interested in buying a franchise is here: https://thepicklr.com/franchise.“Picklr Franchisees receive support identifying, leasing and constructing the finest indoor facilities on the market.” commented Chris Walker, Chief Development Officer, Picklr Inc. “Our proprietary location selection tools, construction experience and partnerships with industry leading commercial real estate partners Colliers International and JLL help unlock locations that others may not be able to access.”The Picklr Canada plans to deliver the most consistent high-end courts available in Canada. They want to host top tier professional and amateur competitions across the country in partnership with the Canadian National Pickleball League and future events on the PPA Tour.The Picklr is North America’s fastest-growing network of premium indoor pickleball courts, providing programs for beginners to pros. Membership to The Picklr includes access to all club locations nationwide, free court reservations, four clinics per month, and unlimited participation in leagues, competitive play, events and tournaments.TPC Development Corporation, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, was founded by Bernie Plett and Robert Lloyd. Plett has a combined 40-year career in investment banking, finance and investment counseling and a love of sports, while Lloyd has experience as a technology leader, education advocate, and sports investor. He is the former president of development and sales at Cisco Systems, and as CEO of Los Angeles based Virgin Hyperloop One.
The Picklr, North America’s fastest-growing indoor pickleball franchise, announced its first international expansion into Canada through its Master Franchisee, Winnipeg based TPC Development Corporation (TPC). The strategic partnership plans to open over 65 new indoor pickleball clubs in Canada to meet public demand for the increasingly popular sport.“With more than 400 Picklr locations already sold across nearly every state in the U.S., and with the sport’s popularity continuing to explode on both sides of the border, expanding to Canada was a no-brainer,” says Jonathan Fornaci, Utah-based president and chief operating officer at The Picklr.“Partnering with TPC brings a wealth of experience to the table. Led by a proven executive team, TPC recognized the adoption rate of pickleball in Canada was approaching the same accelerated trajectory as in the US.”According to a recent report by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the last three years, with nearly 40 million participants. Nearly 30% of all players are now in the 18-34 age bracket.Canada has an estimated two million active picklers. While participation rates lag those in the U.S. by several years, the trend lines are moving along the same trajectory.The first Picklr franchise in Canada will open in 2025, and interest in franchise opportunities across the country has far exceeded initial expectations. The Canadian expansion is being facilitated by TPC Development Corp., the master franchisee of The Picklr in Canada. Bernie Plett, Winnipeg-based CEO of TPC, says the Picklr has established a clear “first-mover advantage” in the fast-growing market. TPC recently acquired the exclusive rights to develop, open, operate and sub-franchise all of The Picklr Canada clubs.The plan is to open 65 locations across Canada by 2030 in all provinces and Canada's north, though not Quebec. This is expected to result in 500 courts at 65 facilities occupying more than two million square feet of space.A typical Picklr Club features between 8 and 14 indoor courts, dependent on real estate availability and lease rates for appropriate properties, size of the local pickleball community and several other factors. A population of 100,000 that meets a threshold mean income level would normally support a Picklr Club.The Picklr is now one of the largest tenants of commercial and retail space in the U.S. Now their franchise model offers business opportunities for local sub-franchisees across over 50 Canadian cities with many larger metropolitan areas expected to support multiple Picklr locations. Information for those interested in buying a franchise is here: https://thepicklr.com/franchise.“Picklr Franchisees receive support identifying, leasing and constructing the finest indoor facilities on the market.” commented Chris Walker, Chief Development Officer, Picklr Inc. “Our proprietary location selection tools, construction experience and partnerships with industry leading commercial real estate partners Colliers International and JLL help unlock locations that others may not be able to access.”The Picklr Canada plans to deliver the most consistent high-end courts available in Canada. They want to host top tier professional and amateur competitions across the country in partnership with the Canadian National Pickleball League and future events on the PPA Tour.The Picklr is North America’s fastest-growing network of premium indoor pickleball courts, providing programs for beginners to pros. Membership to The Picklr includes access to all club locations nationwide, free court reservations, four clinics per month, and unlimited participation in leagues, competitive play, events and tournaments.TPC Development Corporation, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, was founded by Bernie Plett and Robert Lloyd. Plett has a combined 40-year career in investment banking, finance and investment counseling and a love of sports, while Lloyd has experience as a technology leader, education advocate, and sports investor. He is the former president of development and sales at Cisco Systems, and as CEO of Los Angeles based Virgin Hyperloop One.
