The Picklr Files for Bankruptcy Protection, Founder Takes Blame

The Picklr, a rapidly growing franchisor in the pickleball sector, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. The filing comes amidst the sport's increasing popularity.

Founder and CEO Jorge Barragan has accepted responsibility for the company's financial distress, attributing it to numerous corporate guarantees made for lease payments on approximately 40 early franchise locations. "We signed, unfortunately, too many corporate guarantees that landed on the holding company, and that’s on us," Barragan told Sports Business Journal. "I own it."

Established in 2021 and beginning its franchising efforts in 2023, The Picklr has expanded to over 70 U.S. locations, with additional clubs in Australia, Canada, and Japan. In 2025, the company reported a net loss of $4.4 million on revenues of $10.3 million. As of March, total liabilities stood at approximately $19 million.

An investor group, headed by franchisee Tom Neale, has committed $4.5 million in financing, pending court approval. The Picklr's facilities are expected to remain open, and Barragan indicated that while direct closures are not anticipated, some downsizing is likely.