Jordan Meinster: Reinventing A Better Way to Play Pickup Basketball

Personal fitness is shifting from generic to guided. People want spaces that respect time, build skill, and make progress repeatable. That exact need is now reshaping courts and gyms, and Jordan Meinster meets it head on. In his role as the Founder and CEO of PickUp USA Fitness, he is an innovator who turns chaos into clarity.

He reimagined the pickup game as a polished, welcoming experience. Offering organized runs, clear rules, and consistent standards that travel from one location to the next, the brand blends smart operations with simple technology to deliver reliable play, youth development, and focused training.

Jordan built PickUp USA Fitness on the floor, close to the athletes, and kept the details tight as the company grew. He proves that better systems unlock better results. This story, in The Most Iconic CEOs To Watch in 2025, follows the vision and the discipline behind Jordan and his company’s rise to success.

Basketball-first with structure and support

Jordan started PickUp USA because he saw a huge opportunity to create a better way to play pickup basketball by adding referees and organization to the games. It was a simple idea to make adult pickup basketball more structured, fair, and enjoyable. Growing up, he spent countless hours on the court and knew firsthand how much better the experience could be with consistent rules, officiating, and a professional environment.

Specializing in officiated pickup basketball games is what sets PickUp USA apart from traditional gyms by bringing consistency and a competitive edge, along with structure to recreational basketball. In addition, its Youth Development League offers young players the opportunity to develop their skills in a fun and supportive environment.

The company maintains a relentless focus on unit-level economics. It works to ensure that each franchise operates with strong financial health. Its approach emphasizes efficient operations, solid marketing strategies, and a sustainable business model that benefits franchisees and their communities.

With an ongoing support system that includes resources for marketing, training, and operational guidance, PickUp USA strives to help franchisees succeed and grow within a proven framework that works. Its commitment to consistency and franchisee success is at the heart of everything it does.

Centered on Basketball and Fitness

PickUp USA Fitness specializes in a range of services centered on basketball and fitness.

Building Systems and Consistency

When PickUp USA first launched, a key challenge for Jordan was creating a unique model that combined basketball and fitness in a way that resonated with basketball enthusiasts and people seeking a more structured gym experience. So, he set out to redefine recreational basketball in a gym setting with organized, competitive, and inclusive play for all skill levels.

As the company expanded, it needed operations that could scale across multiple locations. So, Jordan focused on building systems that delivered consistency while providing high-quality experience for members and franchisees.

According to Jordan, a major driver of growth has been strong relationships with franchisees. The company invested in resources, support, and clear systems that help owners succeed while staying true to the PickUp USA brand. Over time, the approach was refined so franchisees kept real autonomy and still benefited from a capable corporate team.

The company also stayed focused on financial sustainability and profitability as it fine-tuned unit-level economics. Each challenge became a chance to improve. Those lessons now support the success of PickUp USA and its franchisees.

Refined in the Lab

The turning point for Jordan and PickUp USA Fitness came after four years of refining its operating model before franchising. Although there was strong interest in franchising much earlier, Jordan and the team made a conscious decision to stay in the “lab” and perfect its systems before scaling. This period of focus allowed the company to fine-tune every aspect of the business, from the structure of officiated pickup basketball games to training programs, operational processes, and franchisee support systems.

By the time franchising began, the company had developed a comprehensive and proven model that was scalable and could deliver consistent success. The decision to wait until the model was fully refined ensured that franchisees received a strong foundation for growth. Once the franchise opportunity launched, demand grew quickly, and the scalability of the model was immediately clear. The company’s commitment to operational excellence and franchisee support has been essential to sustaining this growth.

The very reason behind PickUp USA Fitness’ longstanding success is this unwavering commitment to franchisee support and operational excellence. By listening to franchisee feedback, continuously improving support systems, and maintaining clear communication, Jordan has consistently kept the network aligned around a common goal of providing an exceptional basketball experience for members and driving profitability for franchisees.

The focus on customer satisfaction and continuous innovation ensures that PickUp USA Fitness remains a leader in the basketball fitness space, capable of adapting to new opportunities while staying true to its core values.

Leadership in the Trenches

Jordan’s leadership philosophy is simple. He stays in the trenches, leads by example, and always puts franchisee success first. He believes in being deeply involved in day-to-day operations to understand challenges firsthand. He also empowers others to take ownership of their roles.

Jordan is committed to recruiting top talent and giving them the autonomy and resources they need to excel. Once he has brought the right people into the fold, he gets out of their way. He trusts them to deliver on shared goals. By creating a culture where everyone is aligned on supporting franchisees, he helps foster a team that is dedicated to the company’s growth and to each other’s success.

Empowering team members with ownership over projects and responsibilities is what Jordan believes helps them develop the confidence and leadership skills needed to take on more complex challenges. He says that this approach creates an environment where everyone is encouraged to take initiative and continuously improve, helping us build a strong and capable team.

Talking about the role of mentorship at PickUp USA, Jordan says that the leadership team plays a key role in mentoring both internal team members and the franchisees. They actively invest time in supporting franchisees and their teams, helping them develop their skills and build strong, successful operations.

This commitment to mentorship creates a culture of collaboration, ensuring that leadership is passed down and franchisees are well-equipped to succeed. By fostering a strong mentorship culture, the team ensures that their leaders are continuously developing, and that franchisees have the guidance they need to excel.

Technology embedded across the business

At PickUp USA Fitness, technology is integrated into nearly every aspect of operations as Jordan believes it ensures a smooth and efficient experience for customers and franchisees. From the initial recruitment of new team members to their onboarding and training, the company relies on technology to streamline these processes. “It delivers efficiency and consistency across all locations,” Jordan added.

A proprietary queueing system for adult pickup basketball games allows players to join games easily. It ensures a structured and fair playing environment. This system, combined with real-time scheduling tools, gives members a hassle-free way to book and manage court time. The Youth Development League also benefits from integrated scheduling and tracking tools as the team can monitor participant progress and keep sessions running smoothly.

Technology also plays a key role in marketing. Franchisees can use centralized tools for content management, campaign scheduling, and performance tracking. Each location can run tailored, data driven marketing while maintaining brand consistency. The real estate approach is enhanced by technology as well. The company uses sophisticated systems for site selection, lease management, and gym layout design to optimize space and efficiency.

By embracing technology in every facet of the business, PickUp USA Fitness makes life easier for franchisees and customers and stays ahead in a competitive industry.

Disciplined Innovation Guided by a Mission

At PickUp USA, decisions to evolve products and services are driven by a constant focus on franchisee success and the needs of customers. Jordan and the team carefully assess every opportunity through operational efficiency, customer feedback, and the mission to provide a unique basketball experience.

When the company considers new products or services, it looks for innovations that align with its core values. The aim is to enhance the customer experience, improve operational systems, and drive unit-level economics. The team leverages data from current operations, including feedback from franchisees, customer satisfaction, and performance metrics, to identify areas for growth or improvement.

The company maintains a strong focus on scalability. Any new service or product must fit seamlessly into the existing framework. It should be sustainable for franchisees and provide long term value. This method allows the company to innovate and improve while staying grounded in its core mission. Every step is built for long term success.

Jordan Meinster and PickUp USA Fitness stand on a model refined in practice. Systems, technology, and franchisee support drive a consistent experience. The focus on unit-level economics keeps quality and results in balance. This foundation sustains growth and protects brand promise. It shows what Jordan’s disciplined leadership can achieve in a category that needs structure. It also shows how PickUp USA Fitness continues to improve while staying true to its mission.