Jake Harper
Chicken N Pickle is an indoor/outdoor entertainment complex that includes a restaurant, sports bar, pickleball courts, and yard games. The first Chicken N Pickle location opened in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2017, and was founded by Dave Johnson. Johnson, together with long-time KC restaurateur Bill Crooks, recruited a founding team to bring people together over delicious food, cold beer, and friendly competition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dave Johnson |
| Address | 1761 Burlington St., North Kansas City, MO |
| Type | Indoor/outdoor family entertainment complex |
| Features | Restaurant, sports bar, pickleball courts, live entertainment space, yard games, rooftop dining |
| Food | Wood-fired rotisserie chicken, handcrafted dishes with bold flavors, locally sourced ingredients |
| Expansion Plans | Nearly double in size by early 2025, with 15 locations across the US |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken N Pickle's founder, Dave Johnson
Chicken N Pickle in North Kansas City is owned by its founder, Dave Johnson. Johnson first encountered pickleball during a trip to Phoenix in December 2015. He and his team then researched the sport and found that it was on track to become the fastest-growing sport in America. They also found the land for the first Chicken N Pickle location in Kansas City, Missouri, which opened in 2017. Johnson and his team recruited long-time KC restaurateur, Bill Crooks, to help assemble the founding team.
Chicken N Pickle is an indoor/outdoor "eatertainment" complex, offering a casual, chef-driven restaurant, sports bar, pickleball courts, and a variety of yard games. The complex has a warm and welcoming environment, bringing together people of all ages and attracting customers from across the community. The culinary team at Chicken N Pickle is serious about flavour and sources local ingredients. Everything is handcrafted, served fresh, and layered with bold, chef-driven flavour.
The average Chicken N Pickle facility is approximately 1.5 acres (3.5 acres with parking) and 32,000 square feet. The main dining area is spacious, with multiple dining areas on the main floor and rooftop dining with outdoor tables. The venues offer indoor and outdoor pickleball courts and a variety of lawn games, such as cornhole, ping pong, battleship, and Jenga. Chicken N Pickle also hosts a range of events, including concerts, charitable fundraisers, and watch parties.
Chicken N Pickle has experienced rapid growth and expansion since its founding. By early 2025, the company plans to nearly double its number of locations from eight to 15, making it the fastest-growing pickleball entertainment concept in the country. This rapid expansion reflects the popularity of the unique combination of dining, socialising, and sports that Chicken N Pickle offers.
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The company's philanthropic values
Chicken N Pickle is a unique, indoor/outdoor family entertainment complex, offering a casual, chef-driven restaurant, sports bar, pickleball courts, and yard games. The first Chicken N Pickle opened in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2017, and the company has ambitious national expansion plans.
At the heart of Chicken N Pickle's brand is a strong set of values, with a focus on giving back and philanthropy. This is reflected in their commitment to creating a supportive and meaningful work environment for their employees, bringing all voices to the table, and providing mentorship and career growth opportunities.
Chicken N Pickle's cultural imperative is to strengthen its community and make a positive impact. They achieve this through their venues, which offer versatile spaces for a range of events, from corporate functions to social gatherings. The company's event spaces are frequently used for charitable fundraisers, watch parties, concerts, and other community-building activities.
In addition to their focus on philanthropy, Chicken N Pickle prioritises sustainability and ethical sourcing. They believe in serving "clean food" and are committed to using fresh, quality ingredients that are responsibly raised and ethically sourced. This value extends beyond their kitchens, as they also emphasise the use of local ingredients, supporting local producers and reducing the environmental impact of ingredient transportation.
Chicken N Pickle's philanthropic values are deeply ingrained in the company's culture and operations. By prioritising community engagement, employee well-being, and ethical practices, they strive to make a positive impact on both the people who work for them and the neighbourhoods they serve.
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The menu and ingredients
Chicken N Pickle in North Kansas City is a unique, indoor/outdoor family entertainment complex that includes a casual, chef-driven restaurant and sports bar. The restaurant serves up a variety of fresh, quality ingredients that have been responsibly raised and ethically sourced.
The menu features wood-fired rotisserie chicken, which can be enjoyed as part of the Power Bowl. The portions are reportedly generous, and the prices are higher than average for a draw beer. The menu also includes breakfast items, such as Eggs Benedict, and waffles.
The complex also offers a range of activities, including pickleball courts, yard games such as cornhole and sack toss, and space for live entertainment and events. It is a warm and welcoming environment that caters to all ages and provides a great atmosphere for gatherings.
Chicken N Pickle is committed to giving back to its community through philanthropic events and service-oriented initiatives. They also prioritise creating a supportive and meaningful work environment for their employees, fostering a culture of mentorship and career growth.
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The indoor and outdoor pickleball courts
Chicken N Pickle in North Kansas City is an indoor/outdoor entertainment complex that offers pickleball courts, a restaurant, and event space. The complex has a casual, chef-driven restaurant, a sports bar, and both indoor and outdoor pickleball courts with professional instruction available. The North Kansas City location is the original Chicken N Pickle, which first opened in 2017. The company now has 8 locations and plans to expand to 15 by 2025.
The pickleball courts are also used for special events and celebrations, such as birthdays and graduations. The complex offers designated areas, delicious food, and a unique experience for special occasions. For corporate events, the company offers full-service bars, yard games, and a family-friendly environment. Chicken N Pickle also hosts a variety of other events, including concerts, charitable fundraisers, and watch parties.
Chicken N Pickle was founded by Dave Johnson, who was introduced to pickleball during a trip to Phoenix in December 2015. He and his team recognized the sport's potential for rapid growth in America and set out to create a unique entertainment concept that combined great food with friendly competition. They partnered with long-time KC restaurateur Bill Crooks to develop the Chicken N Pickle brand and bring their vision to life.
The average Chicken N Pickle facility is approximately 1.5 acres in size, with 32,000 square feet of space. The main dining area is spacious and can accommodate corporate and social events. In addition to the indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, the complex features multiple dining areas, including rooftop dining, bars, and lounge spaces. Chicken N Pickle welcomes people of all ages, from toddlers to teens and adults, as well as dogs, creating a warm and welcoming environment for the entire community.
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The location and expansion plans
Chicken N Pickle is located at 1761 Burlington St. in North Kansas City, Missouri. The company was founded in 2017 by Dave Johnson, who was introduced to pickleball during a trip to Phoenix in December 2015. Chicken N Pickle is an indoor/outdoor entertainment complex that includes a restaurant, sports bar, pickleball courts, and event space. The company has experienced rapid growth, with eight locations opened since its founding and plans to expand to 15 locations by early 2025. This will make it the fastest-growing pickleball entertainment concept in the country.
The company's expansion plans include the opening of seven new locations across the United States, adding to their existing locations in Wichita, Kansas; San Antonio, Texas; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Overland Park, Kansas; Grand Prairie, Texas; and Grapevine, Texas. The average Chicken N Pickle facility occupies approximately 1.5 acres (including 3.5 acres with parking) and 32,000 square feet of space. The venues offer indoor and outdoor spaces for public and private events, hosting a variety of activities such as concerts, charitable fundraisers, and watch parties.
Chicken N Pickle's main dining area is spacious, accommodating corporate and social events. It features multiple dining areas, including rooftop dining with outdoor tables. The complex includes bars, pickleball courts, and lawn games such as cornhole, ping pong, battleship, and Jenga. The company emphasizes the use of fresh, local, and responsibly sourced ingredients in its culinary offerings.
Chicken N Pickle has a strong cultural commitment to its community, with a focus on philanthropic initiatives and service-oriented endeavors. They aim to provide a supportive and meaningful work environment for their employees, fostering mentorship and career growth opportunities. The brand identity revolves around the idea of a rambunctious, multi-generational family that works hard and plays hard, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken N Pickle was founded by Dave Johnson in 2015.
1761 Burlington St, North Kansas City, MO.
Chicken N Pickle is an indoor/outdoor entertainment complex with a restaurant, sports bar, pickleball courts, and yard games.
The average Chicken N Pickle facility is approximately 1.5 acres (3.5 acres with parking) and 32,000 square feet.
Chicken N Pickle serves up "elevated eats" from a chef-driven menu, with dishes like wood-fired rotisserie chicken.
