Welcome to Episode 57 of the Future of Pickleball show! In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes Ace Rodrigues, founder & CEO of Pickleball Kingdom. Ace shares his journey of discovering pickleball and turning it into a successful franchise business with more than 350 locations. Pickleball Kingdom is run by five value statements: that life is better with pickleball; competition is fun; playing pickleball is good for physical, social, and spiritual well-being; community is pickleball's greatest asset; and pickleball players should respect their teammates and everyone they come into contact with. Pickleball Kingdom focuses on both open play and reservations to accommodate different player preferences. The franchise is expanding internationally, with plans to enter the Middle East, Canada, and Australia.