Kaysville-based Picklr sets sights on Asia with 20 clubs in Japan

The Picklr, a Kaysville company that claims to be the world’s largest indoor pickleball franchisor, is heading to Asia.

The company — just four years into existence since opening its first Utah location — has signed a master franchise agreement with Nippon Pickleball Holdings Co. Ltd. to open at least 20 of its signature indoor pickleball facilities in Japan over the next five years.

“Japan — and the broader Asia-Pacific region — represents a major opportunity for The Picklr,” the company said in its announcement release. “As pickleball is beginning to take root within the market, Japan is quickly becoming a focal point for the brand. With its easy-to-learn rules, welcoming culture and ability to bring people of all ages together, pickleball has captured the attention of Japan.”

The first Picklr facility is slated to open in the Tokyo metropolitan area, with future targeted facility locations in Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Saitama, Chiba, Hyogo, Fukuoka, Hokkaido, Kyoto, Miyagi, Hiroshima and Okinawa. Facilities will be located in retail, office, light-industrial and purpose-built spaces, The Picklr said.

“Japan is known for valuing precision, wellness and community — all things built into The Picklr DNA,” said The Picklr CEO Jorge Barragan. “Expansion into this market allows us a chance to help shape what pickleball looks like on a global stage. For us, Japan is more than a market; it’s a launchpad for how The Picklr can lead the charge in Asia, just like we’ve done in the U.S. We’re not just creating courts; we’re creating a culture. And we believe that culture will resonate in Japan.”

“Our mission is to set a new standard for the sport in Japan, combining professional-grade facilities, top-tier programming and a scalable model that can support long-term growth,” said Kenton Stehr, CEO of Nippon Pickleball Holdings. “Japan deserves a world-class pickleball experience, and it was clear, based on what The Picklr has built in the U.S., that we will be able to deliver that to the Japanese market.”

With development oversight and ongoing support from The Picklr’s corporate team in Utah, all Japan-based clubs will reflect the same aesthetic, amenities, programming and membership offerings as clubs in the U.S. and Canada, Barragan said. While the brand’s signature features will remain consistent, the Japan team will have the flexibility to develop partnerships uniquely suited to its respective market.

The Picklr has sold more than 500 franchised locations globally, with plans for more than 80 new gyms to open by the end of 2025.