PickleRage has appointed Rich DeStasio as chief executive officer, a move the company says will support its continued national growth and franchise expansion efforts.
The indoor pickleball franchise brand announced the leadership change Thursday, noting DeStasio brings more than 25 years of experience across fitness, wellness and franchising. His background includes scaling multi-unit businesses across corporate, boutique, digital and franchise models.
DeStasio most recently served as chief marketing officer at FASTer Way to Fat Loss. He previously held the role of chief operating officer at Austin Fitness Group, an Orangetheory Fitness platform ownership group, and earlier leadership positions at Town Sports International and The Edge Fitness Clubs.
“Rich brings a unique combination of operational excellence, brand-building expertise, and franchise leadership that aligns perfectly with our growth trajectory,” said David Smith, the COO at PickleRage. “His experience scaling multi-unit platforms and building high-performance teams will be instrumental as we continue expanding into new markets and supporting our growing network of franchise partners.”
In his new role, DeStasio will focus on franchise development, operational infrastructure and overall brand positioning as the company looks to expand its footprint nationwide.
“Joining PickleRage at this stage of its growth is an exciting opportunity,” said DeStasio. “The brand has built a strong foundation centered on community, quality and experience. I look forward to working with the team, our franchise partners, and investors to scale the business and bring this concept to more communities across the country.”
Founded in 2023, PickleRage operates indoor pickleball clubs designed for year-round play and community engagement. The company plans to open more than 500 locations across the United States over the next five years.
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With over a decade spent covering the business side of sports and fitness, Rachel Chonko brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for active communities to Peake Media. As Editor-in-Chief, she’s focused on helping pickleball clubs and fitness facilities thrive, from guiding growth strategies to showcasing the latest industry trends. Rachel also hosts the Club Solutions Magazine Podcast, where she interviews leaders in fitness and pickleball to share insights and success stories with the wider community to give her listeners a competitive edge.
After taking up pickleball herself, Rachel has come to appreciate the sport’s unique blend of social connection and active living — a mix that’s perfectly in line with her editorial philosophy. Connect with her on LinkedIn, or check out her articles below for a deep dive into the energy and culture driving pickleball’s rapid rise.
