Community Highlights: Meet Jordan Meinster of PickUp USA Fitness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Meinster.

Hi Jordan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started with a frustration: recreational basketball lacked structure and professionalism. I grew up playing the game and spent countless hours in gyms, but the experience was often inconsistent and chaotic. I believed there had to be a better way to play PickUp basketball — one that was organized, fair, and delivered in a professional environment.

In 2011, I began building what would become PickUp USA Fitness. We launched our flagship location in 2012 with a simple but powerful concept: officiated PickUp basketball games. It immediately resonated with adult hoopers looking for a better experience. From there, we refined our model, improving operations, pricing, staffing, and customer experience.

By 2016, we were ready to franchise. We didn’t rush into it. We spent years pressure-testing the model to make sure it was scalable, profitable, and repeatable. That discipline paid off. Today, PickUp USA is a national brand with clubs open coast to coast, serving both youth and adult basketball players through a focused, proven system.

What started as a single gym has evolved into a franchise network built on operational excellence, financial discipline, and a deep commitment to franchisee success. I still own and operate our original location, and that hands-on experience continues to shape how we support our owners. We’ve built a business that’s not just about basketball. It’s about entrepreneurship, community, and creating opportunities for others to win.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not smooth. Building PickUp USA has been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life, but it’s also come with a long list of challenges. In the early years, we faced everything from permitting delays and cost overruns to pilot programs that didn’t land the way we hoped. We were learning in real time, and every misstep became a lesson we had to absorb quickly.

One of the biggest early struggles was understanding the importance of expense control. Like many entrepreneurs, we were focused on growing revenue and assumed that would solve everything. But we learned that top-line growth doesn’t mean much if your cost structure isn’t dialed in. That realization changed how we operated — and how we coach our franchisees today.

We also had to figure out how to scale without losing the integrity of the model. That meant building systems from scratch, documenting everything, and creating a playbook that others could follow. It took years to get right, and we’re still refining it every day.

The road hasn’t been easy, but every challenge helped shape the business into what it is now. We’ve built a franchise system that’s not just scalable, but pressure-tested. Our owners don’t have to reinvent the wheel — they step into a model that’s been through the fire and come out stronger.

As you know, we’re big fans of PickUp USA Fitness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
PickUp USA Fitness is a basketball-focused gym chain offering structured, high-quality services for both youth and adult players. We specialize in two core programs that define our brand and set us apart in the fitness space.

For adults, our signature service is officiated PickUp basketball games. These aren’t your typical open gym runs. Our games are timed, scored, and refereed by trained staff, creating a competitive, organized environment that players love. It’s a unique experience that blends the energy of recreational basketball with the structure of league play — and it’s something you won’t find anywhere else at this level of consistency.

For youth, our Youth Development Basketball League provides a training-first model that helps kids build skills, confidence, and basketball IQ in a fun, supportive setting. It’s more than just drills — it’s a full developmental journey that combines coaching, teamwork, and real gameplay. Families across the country rely on PickUp USA’s Youth Development Basketball League as a go-to program for their young athletes.

What makes PickUp USA special is our focus. We’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We’ve built a clean, streamlined operation that delivers elite basketball services with precision. Our gyms are designed to serve hoopers of all ages, with programs that are structured, scalable, and rooted in real value.

What I’m most proud of is how our brand shows up in the community. Whether it’s a parent watching their child grow or an adult player finding a consistent place to compete, our gyms create meaningful experiences. We’re not just a place to play — we’re a place to improve, connect, and belong.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If you love basketball, PickUp USA is a place you should know about. Whether you’re looking for a consistent run with other adult hoopers or a structured program for your child to develop their skills, our gyms offer something special.

Our officiated PickUp games give adult players a competitive, organized experience that’s hard to find anywhere else. No waiting around, no chaos — just real games with referees, scoreboards, and structure. For youth, our Youth Development League is a training-first program that helps kids grow on and off the court. It’s designed to build confidence, teamwork, and basketball IQ in a fun, supportive environment.

And if you’re someone who’s passionate about basketball and thinking about business ownership, PickUp USA is also a proven franchise opportunity. We’ve built a model that’s focused, scalable, and backed by over a decade of real-world experience. Our franchisees get a clear playbook, hands-on support, and the chance to build something meaningful in their community.

At its core, PickUp USA is about creating better basketball experiences. We’re proud of what we’ve built — and even more excited about what’s ahead.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pickupusafitness.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/pickupusafitness
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/pickupusafitness
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/pickupusafitness
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/pickupusafitness