Ace Pickleball Club (APC) is gearing up for a big year, with 25-30 new locations slated to open by year-end and APC locations set to debut in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Lutz, Florida; Brookfield, Wisconsin; Wilmington, Delaware; Frisco, Texas; and other cities across Michigan, Texas and New Jersey.
Altogether, more than 125 APC locations have been awarded and are in development, expanding on 2024, when the national indoor pickleball franchise opened 11 new locations.
“Pickleball isn’t just a sport; it’s a movement bringing people together,” APC vice president of franchise growth Conor Hawks said. “We’re building spaces where players of all skill levels can connect, compete and grow in an environment that is as simple as walking into a gym and playing. Our incredible growth in 2024 shows the demand for high-quality, accessible pickleball experiences.”
APC promotes an all-day open play concept on its professional-grade courts without requiring reservations or schedules. Courts are organized by skill level—beginner, intermediate and advanced player—while PlaySight technology offers players instant highlight reels on their phone.
An all-inclusive membership is also available, offering perks such as unlimited open play, reservations, access to social mixers, events, tournaments, clinics, entry into the APC Member Championship Series, unlimited paddle demos and more. According to its site, APC limits non-member drop-ins during peak times.
“At APC, we’re serious about creating an experience that players won’t find anywhere else,” vice president of strategic partnerships Mookie McDevitt said. “We offer a single, easy-to-understand membership that keeps the focus on what matters—playing pickleball and having fun.”
The pickleball franchise also prides itself on a franchisee-to-unit ratio of approximately 3:1, focusing on awarding both single and multiple locations to franchisees—an approach that APC says ensures partners receive dedicated support, benefiting both the franchisees and the APC brand.
“We’re building a brand by delivering an exceptional experience to both our members and our franchisees,” APC co-founder and president Joe Sexton said. “Exceeding our members’ expectations results in a rewarding business, and that, combined with exceptional systems, training and support, leads to passionate franchisees that want to continue to grow with us. Our goal is not how many locations we open and how quickly. Our goal is to be the best part of our members’ day and the most rewarding business in our franchisees’ portfolio.”
