The Picklr's Chapter 11, explained: what it means for members and clubs
Picklr, Inc., the parent company of The Picklr indoor pickleball chain, is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company says its clubs are still open. Below is what the court record and news reports say so far, and what it may mean for members.
Who filed, and when
Picklr, Inc. filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition on Oct. 9, 2026, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas (Case No. 26-34687), and its subsidiary Picklr Clubs Inc. filed on Oct. 10 (Case No. 26-34690), according to the first-day declaration of chief restructuring officer Rick Rosenbloom. Both chose Subchapter V, a faster track for small businesses. The franchising subsidiary, Picklr Franchise Inc., did not file, the declaration says. The docket lists Judge Scott W. Everett.
The declaration says the company runs or franchises about 90 clubs, with nine company-operated clubs and 81 franchised clubs in about 32 states. It says the company serves about 35,000 members and that the franchised clubs are owned and run by about 77 franchisee groups.
Why the company says it filed
Founder and CEO Jorge Barragan told Sports Business Journal that the company had guaranteed lease payments for some early franchisees, about 40 locations in all, and that those guarantees became too heavy for the parent company. "We signed, unfortunately, too many corporate guarantees that landed on the holding company. And that's on us. I own it," he told SBJ.
What the CEO has said about closures
SBJ reported that no locations will close as a direct result of the filing, though Barragan expects the network to shrink. "Our goal is just to make sure that over the next 18 months to two years, as we start to see the shakeout happen, that we position our franchisees in the best position," he said. In the company's release, as quoted by WTHR, Barragan said: "Our clubs are open, and our members are playing."
What it means for members
IAPPF, a trade group for pickleball facilities, reported that a letter to members said courts, hours, schedules and memberships continue as usual, and that the company promised to contact members directly if anything changes at their club. IAPPF also pointed out that a parent company's bankruptcy does not automatically close an independently owned club, and that members should look to their local operator for details. The CRO's declaration says the first-day relief "allows the clubs to remain open and the member experience to continue without interruption."
Timeline
- Oct. 9-10: Picklr, Inc. and Picklr Clubs Inc. file (declaration).
- Oct. 19: The judge held the first-day hearing. Orders entered that day allow the two cases to be handled together, let the company pay employee wages and benefits, and give it until Nov. 6 to file its schedules and statement of financial affairs (claims agent documents).
- Oct. 20: An order lets the company keep using its bank accounts and cash management system. A scheduling order sets a status conference for Nov. 24 and a Subchapter V plan deadline of Jan. 7, 2027 (docket).
- Nov. 18: Meeting of creditors for both cases (docket).
- Claims deadlines: Dec. 18, 2026, for claims against Picklr, Inc. The cited Picklr Clubs Inc. docket lists a separate claims deadline of Dec. 21, 2026, in the case header and in the meeting-of-creditors notice (Dkt. 8). Government claims against Picklr, Inc. are due April 7, 2027.
The financing
An investor group called Dynamus Alliance, led by franchisee Tom Neale, would sponsor the reorganization. The reported size of its commitment varies. The company's release said $4.5 million (IAPPF, WTHR), while SBJ and the St. Louis Business Journal reported $4.8 million. The amended proposed interim DIP order filed Oct. 19 describes a loan of up to $4,365,000. That total is $3,510,000 in new money, of which up to $900,000 could be borrowed on an interim basis, plus $855,000 from an earlier bridge loan. As of the docket entries through Oct. 20 listed by the claims agent, no DIP financing order had been entered.
Clubs named in coverage
- Fair Lawn, N.J.: Expected to stay open, according to NorthJersey.com. News 12 New Jersey reported that the company said Fair Lawn is still open for play.
- Cherry Creek South (Denver): The pause at this unopened club is a franchisee lease issue. The Denver Business Journal reported that the franchisee, Colorado Pickleball, is trying to get out of the lease and that a lawsuit complaint has been filed. The franchisee says the pause is unrelated to the parent company's bankruptcy.
- Greenwood, Ind.: A new club planned for late 2026 at 8921 U.S. Highway 31 South. Presale for Founder Memberships began Oct. 21, WTHR reported. The local operator is Pickle Indy, LLC.
- Burlington, Danvers, Exton, Newark and Westbrook: These locations are tied to a separate franchisee bankruptcy that 3 Strand Holdings LLC and related entities filed Sept. 24 in Florida, IAPPF reported. That case is separate from the parent company's filing.
- Goleta, Calif.: This club left the brand in September and became The Grove Pickleball, IAPPF reported.
The St. Louis Business Journal reported that St. Louis investor Richard Chaifetz is a Picklr investor.
Not legal advice. This article summarizes public court records and news reports. If you have a membership, prepayment or other claim, read the official notices on the claims agent's site or talk to a lawyer.