Transition of Columbia, North Bethesda and Rockville reflects Dill Dinkers’ commitment to trusted local ownership, sustainable expansion and the proven model behind the brand.

COLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dill Dinkers today announced that John and Condit Lyon have acquired the Columbia, North Bethesda and Rockville, Maryland clubs, transitioning three locations closely tied to the company’s beginnings from corporate ownership to local franchise ownership. The move reflects Dill Dinkers’ continued focus on strengthening its franchise system while positioning the brand for long-term, sustainable growth. As part of the transaction, the Lyons have also secured development rights for the remaining available Dill Dinkers territory in Maryland, representing a population of more than one million and the potential for up to seven additional clubs over the next decade.

For Dill Dinkers Co-Founders Will and Denise Richards, the acquisition represents the next chapter for the clubs that helped establish the brand’s foundation. The original Columbia location opened in November 2022, serving as the proving ground for the operations, player experience and community-centered culture that would eventually shape Dill Dinkers into a growing national franchise system. Rockville and North Bethesda followed as early company-owned locations, further strengthening the brand’s operating model.

As the pickleball industry continues to evolve, Dill Dinkers remains grounded in the fundamentals on which it began: creating welcoming pickleball communities, building sustainable club operations and growing with the right people in the right markets. Transitioning its Maryland corporate clubs reflects that philosophy, allowing the corporate team to focus more intentionally on supporting and expanding the broader franchise system while placing these important clubs in the hands of owners deeply invested in their future.

“Columbia is where Dill Dinkers came to life, so this is much more personal to us than simply transferring ownership of three clubs,” said Will Richards, Co-Founder and CEO of Dill Dinkers. “These clubs helped us learn what worked, build an incredible community and ultimately create the model we believed could grow beyond Maryland. As we enter the next stage of Dill Dinkers, we couldn’t ask for people we trust more than John and Condit to care for these clubs, their teams and their members while building on everything they helped inspire.”

Growing With Purpose

The transaction represents another step in Dill Dinkers’ evolution from its original corporate clubs into an expanding franchise system. As the indoor pickleball industry continues to mature, Dill Dinkers remains focused on sustainable growth, strong business fundamentals and delivering exceptional club experiences for members.

In addition to traditional new-club development, Dill Dinkers continues to expand through facility conversions, strategic acquisitions and partnerships that support long-term growth while preserving the fundamentals of the Dill Dinkers model. The company evaluates each opportunity based on facility quality, market potential, operational sustainability and long-term strategic fit.

“The opportunity ahead isn’t simply about how many clubs we can open. It’s about building Dill Dinkers in a way that lasts,” said Will Richards.”Our original model has always put the club experience and local community first. As the industry matures, we believe there are more ways to bring strong clubs and strong operators into the Dill Dinkers system, and we’re excited about what that can mean for the future of the brand.”

The Right People for a Meaningful Handoff

The transition places three of Dill Dinkers’ most established clubs in the hands of owners who have played an active role in the brand’s growth and evolution. John and Condit’s involvement with Dill Dinkers expanded from an initial interest in franchise ownership to regional development, investment in the company and ongoing leadership within the organization, giving them a unique understanding of the brand, its members and its long-term vision.

“We initially approached Dill Dinkers looking to become franchisees, but as we learned more about the company, our confidence continued to grow,” said John Lyon, Co-Owner of The Flying Lyon.”What began as an interest in owning clubs quickly expanded into regional development and a significant investment in the company. Each step reinforced our belief in the people, the business model and the opportunities ahead.”

Under The Flying Lyon’s ownership, the Columbia, North Bethesda and Rockville locations will continue operating as Dill Dinkers clubs, maintaining the welcoming atmosphere, established programming and community relationships members have come to expect.

John and Condit plan to continue investing in the clubs’ facilities, player experience, technology, staff development and programming while preserving the strong community relationships built at each location.

“John and Condit bring the business experience and community focus we look for in our developers,” said Dr. Ben Litalien, Chief Development Officer at Dill Dinkers.”They’re strong leaders who believe in the brand, understand the importance of local relationships and bring the creativity and commitment that can help these clubs continue to grow.”

For Dill Dinkers, the transition brings the brand’s story full circle. The club where its model was first tested will now become part of the franchise system that model helped inspire, while creating greater capacity for corporate leadership to continue supporting franchisees, expand into new markets and pursue additonal opportunities that strengthen and grow the Dill Dinkers system.

It’s not a departure from the company’s roots. It’s an investment in what those roots made possible.

About Dill Dinkers Pickleball

Dill Dinkers is a leading provider of dedicated indoor pickleball clubs in the United States. The brand is built around creating fun, friendly, and welcoming environments where players across ages and skill levels can play, connect, and improve. Dill Dinkers clubs offer dedicated indoor courts along with court reservations, clinics, private and semi-private lessons, leagues, events, and other programming for members and visitors.

About The Flying Lyon

The Flying Lyon is an investment and development company led by John and Condit Lyon. The company focuses on business ownership, operations, investment, and development, with an emphasis on strengthening the businesses in which it invests.

For more information about the Dill Dinkers franchise program, visit www.dilldinkers.com/franchising.

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SOURCE Dill Dinkers