Dill Dinkers, a leading and rapidly expanding dedicated indoor pickleball club franchise, has earned a reputation for creating a fun, friendly and inclusive environment where players of all ages and skill levels can play, socialize and improve. The franchise recently announced its 22nd regional development deal, marking a significant milestone with a commitment to open at least 10 new locations throughout Florida’s Brevard County, also known as the Space Coast.
At the helm of this expansion is Lanette Rosales, a seasoned professional with nearly 40 years of experience in supply chain management at Bechtel, where she supported major engineering and construction projects, including NASA’s Mobile Launcher 2. During her time in Houston, Rosales discovered a passion for pickleball and, upon returning to Florida, identified a clear need for more indoor courts in the area. Her blend of management expertise and enthusiasm for the sport positions her perfectly to drive Dill Dinkers’ growth on the Space Coast.
Here, learn more about Rosales’ regional development plans and why she’s emphasizing community.
Your background is impressive, with nearly 40 years in supply chain management at Bechtel. How has your experience managing large-scale projects for organizations like NASA equipped you for the challenges of regional development in the pickleball industry?
My experience at Bechtel requires logistical coordination, resource management, strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, risk mitigation and supplier relationship management. These are all skills that will equip me well to face the challenges in the pickleball industry as a Regional Developer.
Can you share the story of how you first discovered pickleball in Houston and what drew you to it as a lifelong passion?
A long-time friend of mine introduced me to the sport at a church gym. Having a tennis background, I picked up the sport rather easily. As we played together in various other locations and clubs around Houston, I instantly became hooked due to the ease of the game, along with the community and camaraderie it brought amongst all the players. I gained so many new friends in a short amount of time — 9 months — that I remained in Houston on assignment. Before I left Houston, I told my children, who also live in Houston, that this was the positive environment I wanted to immerse myself in for the rest of my life and wanted to make it part of my retirement plan.
What unique aspects of the Brevard County market make it an ideal place to introduce 10 new Dill Dinkers clubs? How do you foresee the community responding?
I wanted to bring Dill Dinkers to Brevard County because, after picking up a love for pickleball and becoming interested in the sport while in Houston, I recognized a lack of indoor courts in the Space Coast area. With the notorious heat and humidity, I found it incredibly important to meet the need and desire for a climate-controlled pickleball environment for residents, where they can remain active and connect over a shared interest in the sport. Brevard County is also a lively and welcoming area, so I wanted to help further contribute to that by providing a friendly atmosphere to play the sport that so many have grown to love.
Given your emphasis on fostering community, what initiatives do you envision for your clubs to support a welcoming, inclusive environment for players of all ages and skill levels?
I am planning to host various pickleball leagues and clinics for all skill levels at my forthcoming clubs, as well as summer camps for children of all ages. Through these, we hope that community members are able to meet and connect to play safe and play well. The clubs will also have event spaces, where local businesses could host team-building exercises and families can come together to celebrate a recent birthday, anniversary or other special milestones. One of the reasons why I decided to franchise with Dill Dinkers is because of how much the brand is focused on bringing communities together – which is what I plan to continue to do.
You mentioned a high demand for indoor pickleball courts due to weather in Space Coast. How are you planning to position Dill Dinkers as the premier choice for players seeking a year-round indoor experience?
I’ll position Dill Dinkers as the premier choice by furthering Dill Dinkers’ mission, which is to spread the joy of pickleball. Dill Dinkers is known for creating a welcoming and inclusive club environment and is focused on bringing the community together. That value of community is what originally drew me to Dill Dinkers. We also plan to have Pro-Cushion, outdoor-styled courts — allowing for more comfortability while playing. With the leagues, clinics and lessons that we’ll offer, members and visitors can continue to strengthen their pickleball skills while also getting to meet others in the local pickleball community.
How are you approaching the recruitment of local franchise owner candidates, and what qualities do you look for in someone who would best represent Dill Dinkers in your region?
The best candidates will be those who combine a passion for pickleball with strong business skills and the ability to engage and lead local communities effectively. The ability to build community is important to Dill Dinkers and is key in this industry. I will be looking for a combination of good business ethics and acumen, a passion for the industry, a strong orientation toward customer service and satisfaction, excellent communication skills, adaptability and problem-solving skills, and a commitment to long-term growth.
What excites you most about bringing Dill Dinkers to your region, and what do you hope your legacy in the pickleball community will be?
What excites me the most is getting to provide my community with an environment where people just beginning to play pickleball can grow their skills and become even more interested in the sport and its health and mental benefits. I am also thrilled to see the growing pickleball community come together, no matter what the weather has in store. I hope that my legacy in the pickleball community impacts people’s lives in a positive manner and everyone joins the bandwagon by growing the sport, nurturing a vibrant community and shaping the future for the pickleball industry.
What advice would you offer to other entrepreneurs looking to break into the pickleball industry, especially within the franchising model?
As for the industry itself, do your research and due diligence in the market you are in. Although not required, it is helpful if you are a pickleball player and can immerse yourself in the pickleball community to understand their needs. Leverage the power of social media and marketing to understand the community’s needs. Pickleball is more than just a business or a sport — it’s about changing people’s lives through sport.
As for the franchising model, also do research on all the brands and choose the one that shares the same morals and values as you. All the different pickleball franchisors offer a different culture. I chose Dill Dinkers because they value and treat their franchisees like family. As I leave my 36-year career with Bechtel, I wanted to join an organization that is not merely a sales organization, but one that cares about my business and long-term development to ensure that my legacy in the pickleball community is not only successful but meaningful.
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.
