Persistence leads to pickleball

Chicken N Pickle Opens new location in Oklahoma City

Almost three years ago, Tammy Fate, Senior Manager, Retail Development and Recruitment for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, met Chicken N Pickle Managing Partner Bill Crooks at a trade show in Santa Monica. “I was familiar with the Chicken N Pickle concept and absolutely knew it would do well in Oklahoma City,” said Fate. “It just took some persistence to get Bill to see it too.”

After six months of calls back and forth, Crooks came to Oklahoma City for a visit. Fate and Crooks took a quick bike stroll around downtown and landed at Bleu Garten.

“When people saw the Chicken N Pickle logo on Bill’s shirt, they said, ‘We need a location here, please bring your concept to Oklahoma City,’” added Fate.

Fast forward and Chicken N Pickle has a brand new location in Oklahoma City, offering a unique, indoor/outdoor entertainment complex filled with family-friendly activities including pickleball— a fast-growing sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Courts opened January 7 and the restaurant opens January 25.

“Our mission is to provide an atmosphere that fosters fun, friendship, and community and we are excited to be coming to Oklahoma City,” said Kellen Mumm, VP of Business Development at Chicken N Pickle. “We believe that bringing people together over a delicious, wood-fired rotisserie chicken, a cold beverage and some friendly competition can create unifying bonds that ripple throughout the community and beyond.” added Mumm.

Located in the new local development The Half near the American Fidelity headquarters halfway between Edmond and Oklahoma City, Chicken N Pickle features 6 indoor and 4 outdoor pickleball courts, bocce ball, cornhole, TV screens, a rooftop bar and casual dining with locally sourced food and beers from local craft breweries.

The idea for Chicken N Pickle was conceived in the Grand Cayman Islands thanks to one man’s love for wood-fired chicken and the game of pickleball. Chicken N Pickle’s flagship location was opened in 2017 in Kansas City and has quickly expanded to other markets including San Antonio and Wichita and opening later this year in Grand Prairie, TX and Overland Park, KS.

Left to right: Joe Wolfe-general manager, OKC CNP, Bill Crooks, Tammy Fate, Kellen Muum

Giving back to the communities in which they are located is important to Chicken N Pickle. Their program Our Hearts Are Local focuses on creating philanthropic partnerships with dozens of charitable events held each year.

Chicken N Pickle will soon begin hosting pickleball clinics for beginners and advanced players and pickleball tournaments. The property also features several unique event spaces, commonly used for corporate events and team builders, parties, fundraising events and more.

“Chicken N Pickle has made a huge investment in our community. I think people are looking for all the things it offers. It’s a perfect addition to Oklahoma City,” Fate said.