When Chick-fil-A announced the launch of their Pickle Pickle Pickleball Set and Bag, it was clear that someone at their Georgia headquarters truly appreciates America’s fastest-growing sport. That person is Mark Cathy, the grandson of Chick-fil-A’s founders.
Cathy, who took up pickleball about two years ago, has a passion for the game and even had a couple of courts built on-site. He hopes to add more in the future. According to Kelly Mayer, a customer market insights and menu strategist at Chick-fil-A, Cathy’s enthusiasm is contagious.
“Mark is a phenomenal athlete, and it was his dream to have pickleball courts at Chick-fil-A. Last year, that dream became a reality with the installation of two professional-grade courts inside our office building,” Mayer shared.
Employees at Chick-fil-A compete in beginner and intermediate pickleball matches twice a week, both before and after work.
“Our first pickleball tournament this summer was a blast,” Mayer shared. “We had about 100 participants, and there were prizes involved.”
Mayer, who also plays competitively, competes with 4.5-level players at LifeTime in Peachtree Corners, GA.
“Unfortunately, my mixed partner Matt and I faced Mark and another 5.0 player during the tournament, so we definitely had our work cut out for us,” she said with a laugh. “But Chick-fil-A knows how to make things enjoyable. The tournament featured raffles, giveaways, and great music, plus we gave away some of our Pickle Pickle Pickleball sets.”
Given the popularity of the set, Mayer anticipates that more pickleball-related products will be added to the Chick-fil-A gear lineup in the future.
Chick-fil-A’s connection to pickleball runs deeper than just the Cathy family’s love for the game; it’s also tied to the company’s history with pickles.
“Pickles are part of our heritage. The first chicken sandwich featured pickles, and we really set that trend—now, many other restaurants include pickles on their sandwiches too,” Mayer explained. “Truett Cathy started the Dwarf House, where the original Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich was created in 1946. He had great success selling chicken sandwiches made with his mother’s special pickle recipe, and now every sandwich comes with two pickles.”
As a food trend strategist, Mayer shared her thoughts on why pickles are so popular.
“I think it’s because they can be spicy, sweet, or a mix of both,” she said. “They add an extra layer of flavor—a little twang and a kick that elevates the dish even more.”
The pickleball courts at Chick-fil-A’s headquarters have turned the office into a popular destination for employees day after day.
