14225 Lincoln Street

Today marks the grand opening of Chicken N Pickle in Thornton, bringing a fresh new energy to the north Denver suburbs with its blend of recreation, dining, and community engagement.

This is the company’s 13th location nationwide, but unlike many growing chains, Chicken N Pickle remains 100% corporately owned. The brand, which first launched in Kansas City, Missouri in 2016, has expanded across Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, and now Colorado.

Located on over three acres and spanning 45,000 square feet, the Thornton venue offers a unique indoor-outdoor layout designed to capture Colorado’s love for active lifestyles and mountain views.

The facility includes eight Pickleball courts, six indoors and two outdoors, with the indoor courts conveniently connected to the Paddle Bar for courtside food and beverage service. The outdoor courts open into a lively beer garden, making the space well-suited for both casual games and corporate events.

While Pickleball courts require reservations, the game yard, which features shuffleboard, foosball, cornhole, and oversized yard games, is completely free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

In keeping with the Colorado lifestyle, the onsite scratch kitchen focuses on fresh, healthier menu options.

96% of the food is made in-house, and even the rotisserie chicken is cooked using wood that passes a rigorous quality check to ensure flavor. The menu avoids typical bar food, opting instead for chef-driven dishes and seasonal flair. The signature cocktail, the Naughty Cherry, has become a guest favorite across all locations and proudly maintains the same price it debuted with in 2016.

Guests can also enjoy a rooftop area with breathtaking views of the Rockies, more games, and a covered patio space to handle unexpected weather.

The facility offers ample room for group events, with outdoor capacity for up to 150 guests and total event buyouts accommodating up to 1,200 people. Each space within the venue includes full AV capabilities, and an onsite sales manager and event coordinator are available to help plan and execute private and corporate gatherings.

A standout feature of every Chicken N Pickle location is the “Be Amazing” room, a flexible event space overlooking the indoor courts, often used for nonprofit programs and school district partnerships.

Opening week features a full slate of community-centered events!

Today’s celebration includes free open play and complimentary handheld sandwiches for the first 100 guests. Wednesday is “Doggy Day,” with pup photo-ops, pup cups, and nonprofit support. Thursday evening brings family fun with Kids’ Bingo in the Be Amazing room. On Friday, educators take the spotlight for Teacher Night, where the first 150 teachers receive $10 gift cards and a chance to win a year of free pickleball.

Saturday centers on inclusivity with an Adaptive Pickleball Day, offering a free clinic and open play for participants of all abilities. The week wraps up with a local vendor market and brunch on Sunday.

More than just a restaurant or sports venue, Chicken N Pickle is positioning itself as a lifestyle destination. With programs supporting school districts, monthly adaptive clinics, and nonprofit partnerships built into the business model, the Thornton location is poised to be a long-term community anchor.

For Thornton residents and the greater Denver metro area, Chicken N Pickle is more than just a fun new attraction, it’s a sign of thoughtful, community-first development that elevates how real estate and recreation can come together.