Discover how Ted Angelo of The Hub turned a bold idea into a booming pickleball business. In this Q&A, he shares insights on growth, branding and what every pickleball entrepreneur should know.
In this Q&A, Ted Angelo, the owner of The Hub, shares how his entrepreneurial journey took shape — from launching CRBN Pickleball and securing a forgotten tennis club, to scaling a multi-location brand with a focus on community, size and smart operations. Along the way, he opens up about the challenges of regional expansion, the myths surrounding franchising and what it really takes to run a successful pickleball business.
Give me the background / origin story for The Hub – how did the venture come about?
The year was 2021. I owned a restaurant and pro shop at a pickleball club in Newport Beach and had just launched CRBN Pickleball. One day, while talking with my restaurant partner, Pat Rolfes, I said, “We should do our own thing — we practically run this place anyway.”
Around that time, I traveled to Texas for a regional pickleball tournament and met with Raffael, the owner of Gearbox, who I knew from the pro shop. He said, “If you’re thinking of opening a club, I know of an abandoned tennis club in San Diego.” I told him I’d take a look.
After a lot of effort tracking down the property owner — and over a year later — we finally secured the land. By then, we had also just founded and launched PickleballSuperstore.com, so our hands were full. But that was the start of it all. The rest is history.
What have been the keys to your success or key differentiators as a pickleball club?
We’ve focused on building community inside the club. One of our core differentiators is a simple, all-inclusive pricing model: one price to play — no additional court fees unless you’re participating in tournaments, leagues or coaching.
Another key is scale. We believe bigger is better. Building clubs of a certain size has allowed us to offer more to our members and stand out in a crowded market.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a business, and how have you overcome them?
As we’ve grown — now opening our fourth club — one of the biggest challenges has been understanding regional differences. What works in San Diego may not work in San Jose.
That said, we’ve remained consistent in maintaining our branding and delivering a high level of service across all locations. That commitment has helped us adapt while staying true to our values.
What learning lessons or advice can you share with other pickleball business owners?
Don’t think you can build a club and walk away from it. Pickleball clubs don’t “print money” like some people claim.
There are already more than 20 club owners who have failed — and we get calls weekly asking if we can help or take over their facilities. It’s a hands-on business that requires constant attention and care.
What’s your take on the industry currently and where things are headed? What do you feel are top trends?
Honestly, I think some franchise companies are just in it for a quick buck. They’re selling to unqualified operators and making promises they can’t keep.
There are a lot of people who love the game but have never run a business — and they’re being misled by flashy presentations from folks who don’t have real experience. Passion is important, but so is a clear-eyed business strategy.
What can you tell me about your newest location in Florida?
Jacksonville, Florida is our first venture into the South and the Florida sunshine. We’ve built a beautiful club inside a country club setting with 24 courts — 16 covered and 8 outdoors — plus a fantastic event area for the community and tournaments. We’ve already been awarded some major events, and membership is growing every day. I’ve moved to Florida myself, and I’m loving it.
What are your future growth plans?
We’ve just broken ground on our fifth location in Maui, Hawaii. The project started in June 2025 and is scheduled to open in fall 2025.
It’s going to be a fantastic addition to The Hub family — a club designed to cater to tourists from around the world, offering pickleball in an island paradise alongside everything else Maui has to offer. We can’t wait to welcome players there soon.
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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.
