A New Spin on Dining: Pickleball-Concept Restaurant Promises to Transform Your Outing
According to The Sun, Avid pickleball enthusiasts are in for a treat with the upcoming opening of Electric Pickle, a new restaurant concept that combines delicious dining with the rapidly growing sport of pickleball. Set to debut in December, this innovative venue will be located in Tempe, Arizona, about 18 miles east of downtown Phoenix.
A Unique Dining and Gaming Experience
Electric Pickle is an “eatertainment” destination, allowing customers to enjoy tasty food and drink options while playing against friends and family. This venture is a collaboration between Eureka! Restaurant Group and Knighthead Capital Management, which is providing financial support for the project.
The Tempe location marks the first of several planned across the country, with additional venues expected to open in California, Nevada, and Texas throughout 2025. Guests can look forward to more than 4.5 acres of pickleball courts, along with opportunities to play bocce ball, ping pong, and other similar games, all while dining in a two-story restaurant.
Focused on Pickleball’s Growth
Paul Frederick, the founder and co-CEO of Eureka! Restaurant Group and Electric Pickle, emphasizes the potential of pickleball. “I think pickleball’s explosive growth is just getting started…pickleball, combined with the culinary aspect, plus making our venues super fun and energetic have been packaged into Electric Pickle,” he stated in an interview with Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN).
Electric Pickle is not the first of its kind; other pickleball-themed restaurants like Chicken N Pickle, Camp Pickle, and The Pickle Pad have emerged in recent years. However, Frederick asserts that Electric Pickle will elevate the experience with additional entertainment offerings, including DJs and live bands at night.
Diverse Menu and Enhanced Experiences
Electric Pickle plans to feature an expansive international menu, offering options like Mexican street tacos, Korean bowls, sushi rolls, Neapolitan pizzas, and classic American burgers. Additionally, the venue will incorporate AI gaming technology for an “enhanced” experience on four of its nine pickleball courts, alongside a golf simulator.
Also read: Save Big on Car Insurance: Essential Tips for New and Used Car Owners
The concept of Electric Pickle is reminiscent of the rapidly expanding Topgolf, which has successfully combined sports with dining in a similar “eatertainment” format.
The Competition: Electric Pickle vs. Topgolf
Topgolf operates with multiple hitting bays in a netted area, featuring various games that cater to both seasoned golfers and newcomers. Guests can enjoy food and drinks from a diverse menu while socializing in the venue. With over 95 locations in 35 states and 15 internationally, Topgolf has set a strong precedent in the eatertainment space.
Both Electric Pickle and Topgolf represent a growing trend in restaurants that blend sports and dining, offering engaging experiences for patrons. However, traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants without these interactive elements are facing challenges, with chains like Denny’s planning to close 150 underperforming locations and Red Lobster recently filing for bankruptcy and shutting down over 100 restaurants.
