Pickleball Kingdom Accelerates Expansion in California with Multi-Unit Bay Area Deal

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 23, 2026 // PRNewswire // -- Pickleball Kingdom announced a new multi-unit franchise agreement that will bring five premier indoor pickleball clubs across the Bay Area. The new clubs will be developed by franchisees Raj Chellani and Atul Bhagat, and are targeted for San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Fremont.

"Our growth in California continues to accelerate to match the great demand for a premium indoor pickleball experience," said Ace Rodrigues, Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom. "Raj and Atul have the vision and drive to deliver the Kingdom experience, and the Bay Area is going to love what Pickleball Kingdom has to offer."

Fresh off a record-breaking opening in Roseville, CA last month, Pickleball Kingdom continues to operate in California. Pickleball Kingdom is known for its facilities and commitment to building a thriving, welcoming community for all players. Each location will feature climate-controlled indoor courts, coaching and clinics for all skill levels, youth development programs, competitive leagues and tournaments, lounge areas, and spaces for community and corporate events.

"We see an enormous opportunity to bring world-class indoor pickleball to the Bay Area," said Raj Chellani. "We're building more than clubs. We're building gathering places where people of all ages and skill levels can connect, compete, and have fun."

"Pickleball Kingdom stood out to us because of its commitment to community and the strength of its franchise system," added Atul Bhagat. "We're excited to grow this brand across the entire Bay Area and give our community a place to play and make lasting connections."

"Raj and Atul represent the gold standard of franchise partnership," said Rob Streett, President and Chief Global Officer of Pickleball Kingdom. "They bring a rare combination of sophisticated business acumen with a deep-rooted passion for community building. Their investment is a powerful endorsement of our vision and a catalyst for our expansion across the Bay Area."

Raj Chellani is an entrepreneurial and strategic business leader with hands-on experience starting, developing, and scaling businesses, with a focus on real estate investments and operating companies. He brings a proven ability to source and evaluate deals, build high-performance teams, and design systems that turn ventures into durable, cash-flowing businesses. Atul Bhagat is a silicon engineering leader turned tech entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience developing software solutions in the Electronic Design Automation space, enabling chip design teams at major semiconductor companies across Silicon Valley, Taiwan, Europe, and Japan to deliver high-quality products. Now focused on launching innovative ventures that bridge engineering execution with market opportunity, Atul brings deep operational expertise and a builder's mindset to the partnership. Together, Raj and Atul combine strategic vision, disciplined execution, and a shared commitment to community that position them to deliver on a multi-unit development of this scale.

SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom Franchising

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