Dill Dinkers, an indoor pickleball club franchise, is setting its sights on New Jersey.

As part of a regional development deal with sibling entrepreneurs Adam, Janine and Michael Fiala, the Columbia, Md.-based brand expects to add at least 20 locations throughout North Jersey and New York’s Hudson Valley.

Since its founding two years ago, Dill Dinkers has opened five company-owned, state-of-the-art dedicated indoor facilities in Maryland and Virginia. After launching a nationwide franchise program in September 2024, the company has signed developers in Texas, North Carolina, Connecticut, South Carolina, Arizona, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., for 375-plus committed locations, according to a press release.

By year-end, Dill Dinkers expects to have at least 30 open locations and more than 500 in the development pipeline. As it continues to partner with qualified franchisees, the brand is targeting markets coast to coast, such as Illinois, Texas and California, and internationally in Australia, Canada and India, the company said.

Commenting on the partnership with Dill Dinkers, Adam Fiala said, “Everyone is talking about pickleball, and we saw a clear opportunity to fill a need for indoor clubs in a region with extreme weather conditions.”

“Through our Dill Dinkers clubs, we’ll continue to spread the joy of pickleball in a safe and welcoming way. We look forward to being a part of the sport’s rapid growth and to offering a high-quality playing experience where community members come first,” he said.

A passion for pickleball

The trio’s professional background includes working in their family’s business, Preschool Playhouse, a nursery school and kindergarten in Rockland County, N.Y.

Janine Fiala brings experience in development and fundraising for educational nonprofits, while Adam Fiala has worked in hotel and restaurant management, and Michael Fiala has expertise in bookkeeping and accounting.

Everyone is talking about pickleball, and we saw a clear opportunity to fill a need for indoor clubs in a region with extreme weather conditions.
– Adam Fiala, Dill Dinkers franchisee

As regional developers, the Fialas will seek local franchise owner candidates for each pickleball club.

Dill Dinkers Chief Development Officer Ben Litalien said, “Their ability to collaborate seamlessly through their family business has honed their business acumen and teamwork, setting them up to succeed in Bergen, Rockland and Westchester counties. They have the passion for pickleball that we value, while clearly resonating with our mission. We’re eager to see what they have in store for their communities.”

Will Richards, the company’s co-founder and CEO, commented, “We started Dill Dinkers because of our unwavering passion for the sport and the community it has provided us. As a former Dominos multi-unit franchisee, it was crucial for us to build a strong network of support ahead of our franchising launch, and now with 23 regional developers on board, we are thrilled to welcome experienced operators like Janine, Adam and Michael who are just as passionate about spreading the joy of pickleball.”

“We look forward to seeing how the team extends our name in New Jersey and New York and how other entrepreneurs can benefit from a premier indoor pickleball offering and a strong network of support,” he added.

In a pickle

Considered one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It can be played either indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized or modified tennis court.

Within New Jersey, there’s been a steady stream of announced pickleball venues, including:

• Sussex County’s first freestanding pickleball center;
• A former Bed Bath & Beyond in Ocean County that will house The Picklr club;
• A PickleRage location set to open in Moorestown;
• A 20 club rollout for Pickleball Kingdom starting in Hamilton;
• And the largest pickleball facility in the Northeast, which launched in Robbinsville.