Why Padel Franchising Is the Key to Scaling the Sport in the U.S.

Padel franchising is emerging as one of the most powerful strategies to bring the sport to communities nationwide. As padel continues to gain traction in the United States, entrepreneurs and investors face a crucial question: build independently or join a franchise system? At Conquer Padel, we believe the answer will shape how quickly—and how successfully—the sport expands across the country.

The Build vs. Franchise Debate

When new markets open, it’s natural for operators to wonder whether they should create their own brand from the ground up. For some, this is a viable path. Those with the capital, expertise, and operational bandwidth can certainly build a club independently.

But for many, the reality is more complex. Launching a padel facility involves navigating construction, permitting, marketing, membership sales, programming, staffing, and ongoing operations. Doing it all alone can be costly, time-consuming, and difficult to replicate at scale.

This is where franchising comes in—not as a shortcut, but as a proven playbook. It allows operators to focus on what matters most: building vibrant local communities around the sport, without reinventing every part of the business model from scratch.

Learning from Pickleball’s Expansion

One of the clearest examples of scalable growth comes from pickleball. The sport’s meteoric rise in the U.S. wasn’t the result of a single dominant brand. Instead, it was driven by rapid infrastructure growth across both major cities and smaller markets. Whether you’re in Miami, Oklahoma City, Columbus, or Seattle, you can find a place to play.

Padel needs that same momentum. Concentrating the sport in just a few hotbeds won’t be enough. To succeed, padel requires passionate local operators who understand their communities—and a framework that empowers them to grow sustainably. Franchising offers exactly that combination: local ownership with national support.

Why Franchising Works for Padel

Joining a franchise system isn’t about surrendering control; it’s about partnering with a national brand that provides operational support, marketing strategies, technology infrastructure, and a recognizable identity. Entrepreneurs still run their clubs, but they benefit from established systems that dramatically reduce the learning curve.

At Conquer Padel, our franchise program is designed to help operators launch faster, scale more efficiently, and focus their energy on the sport itself. It’s “business for yourself, not by yourself.”

Real-World Proof: The Baker Family Story

A powerful example of this approach is the Baker family, longtime Planet Fitness franchisees. With experience operating 24 fitness locations, they recognized the potential of padel and decided to partner with Conquer Padel to bring the sport to new markets.

“This was a very easy decision for us. We truly believe in Conquer’s model and see it becoming the U.S. industry leader. When Greg and I met the team in Tempe, we knew right away that this was a special group of people who aligned with our values, culture, and vision. It felt like family, and that’s exactly what we were looking for.”
— Alex Baker

“The level of sophistication Conquer brought to the table in terms of operations and technology was eye-opening for such a novel franchise. It solidified our view that they were the right partner for long-term growth.”
— Greg Baker

Their vision is bold: 50 Conquer Padel locations nationwide, powered by a blend of local expertise and franchise backing.

Building the Future of Padel Together

Franchising isn’t about replicating pickleball’s path—but the lesson is clear: scalable solutions accelerate growth. For padel to thrive across the U.S., passionate operators and proven systems must come together. That’s exactly what Conquer Padel is building.

If you’re curious about bringing padel to your market through franchising or licensing opportunities, we’d love to connect. Together, we can shape the next chapter of this sport.

Contact us to learn more about partnering with Conquer Padel.