The Top CEOs Who Are Defining a New Era to watch in 2025

How Jordan Meinster Turned His Passion Into a National Movement

When passion meets persistence, extraordinary things happen. Jordan Meinster’s journey is a testament to that truth—a path that began with a love for basketball and entrepreneurship and evolved into leading one of the fastest-growing fitness franchises in the country.

In the early days of PickUp USA, Jordan wasn’t just the founder—he was the referee, the trainer, the sales team, and the construction crew. He rolled up his sleeves and built the business, both literally and figuratively, from the ground up. “That hands-on experience gave me an intimate understanding of every piece of the business,” he says. And it shows. His deep-rooted knowledge and frontline experience laid the foundation for a company culture rooted in hustle, authenticity, and purpose.

As PickUp USA began to grow, so did Jordan’s role. He transitioned from being a technician immersed in the day-to-day to a visionary strategist focused on scaling the brand. Recruiting and leading a corporate team, developing national systems, and launching a franchise model, Jordan’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming a single gym into a national presence.

Today, as CEO, Jordan is at the helm of a brand that’s redefining recreational basketball—and inspiring entrepreneurs to chase their dreams with the same tenacity and drive. His evolution from operator to executive leader isn’t just a career path; it’s a blueprint for turning passion into impact.

How Jordan Meinster Built a Mission-Driven Basketball Brand

For Jordan Meinster, building a business was never just about the bottom line—it was about creating impact. As the founder and CEO of PickUp USA, he’s proven that it’s possible to scale a company rapidly and stay rooted in purpose.

“We built PickUp USA with one goal: to bring structure, professionalism, and high-quality service to the basketball gym space,” says Meinster. What began as a bold idea has grown into a thriving national franchise. But the real story lies in how it grew—anchored in values, fueled by innovation, and led with intention.

Jordan is passionate about the kind of leadership that balances execution with ethics. Opportunities to share that journey excite him, especially when they align with brands and organizations that prize innovation, leadership, and results. For him, it’s not just about building something big—it’s about building something meaningful.

That alignment is what drives PickUp USA forward. The company is proof that mission-driven businesses can grow without losing sight of their core. Under Jordan’s leadership, PickUp USA has redefined what a basketball gym can be—structured, scalable, and service-oriented—while never losing its soul.

From One Court to Coast-to-Coast: Jordan Meinster’s Journey Scaling PickUp USA Without Compromise

Scaling a business is never easy—but scaling it with integrity is a whole different game. For Jordan Meinster, founder and CEO of PickUp USA, the true triumph lies not just in expansion, but in elevation.

What began as a single-location basketball gym has evolved into a national franchise network—complete with robust systems, cutting-edge tech infrastructure, and scalable operations. But through it all, Jordan held onto one non-negotiable: never compromise the guest experience.

“Building PickUp USA into a coast-to-coast franchise network has been the most challenging and rewarding leadership achievement of my career,” Jordan reflects. And it shows. The company now serves diverse markets across the country, uniting them under one mission—to professionalize and structure the basketball gym space.

The transformation from operator to strategic leader demanded resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to quality. While the business scaled, so did the challenge of keeping the customer at the center of everything. But under Jordan’s leadership, PickUp USA has proven that growth and excellence don’t have to be at odds—they can, and should, rise together.

Vision in Action: How Jordan Meinster Turns Bold Ideas into Real-World Results

For Jordan Meinster, effective leadership doesn’t start with spreadsheets or strategies—it starts with clarity. As the CEO of PickUp USA, a rapidly expanding basketball gym franchise, Jordan knows that transformation begins with two things: a clear mission and a brutally honest assessment of where you are right now.

“From there,” he explains, “I reverse-engineer the vision. What do we want to become? What’s the path to get there? What systems do we need to build?” It’s this methodical yet inspiring approach that has propelled PickUp USA from a local gym into a national brand.

Jordan believes that long-term vision must be bold—but executable. It should light a fire in the team’s imagination, while also giving them concrete steps they can take today. It’s not just about dreaming big—it’s about building the bridge to get there.

That blend of aspiration and action is what sets Jordan’s leadership apart. He crafts visions that move people—and then guides them with the structure and systems to make it real.

How Jordan Meinster Leads with the SERR Framework

Great teams don’t align by accident—they align by design. For Jordan Meinster, CEO of PickUp USA, that design starts with over-communication, clarity, and structure. In building a coast-to-coast franchise, Jordan developed a leadership model that ensures his entire organization moves in sync: SERR—Strategy, Engineer, Recruit, Resource.

It’s a simple, repeatable, and powerful formula.

“First, we define the strategy,” Jordan explains. “Then, we engineer the systems to support it. Next, we recruit the right people to run those systems. And finally, we resource the team to win.”

This structured approach doesn’t just keep the business organized—it keeps the mission alive. By consistently returning to the SERR framework, Jordan ensures that every decision, hire, and process stays aligned with the company’s vision.

It’s not about rigid control—it’s about focused freedom. When everyone understands the playbook, they can operate with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

From Local Hustle to National Brand: How Franchising Transformed PickUp USA

Every great business reaches a moment of inflection—a choice between staying the course or daring to scale. For Jordan Meinster, that moment came when he realized the success of PickUp USA wasn’t just in the gym he built—it was in the model behind it.

“Our shift to franchising was a strategic pivot that changed everything,” says Jordan. “We had a successful gym, but I saw that our true growth potential was in helping others replicate it.”

That insight led to a bold new direction. Jordan and his team built a franchise platform from the ground up—creating licensing tools, recruiting their first wave of franchisees, and developing the systems and support infrastructure needed to scale with purpose.

What started as a local gym soon became a national movement, uniting communities around a professional, structured, and accessible basketball experience. And it all began with the decision to empower others to carry the mission forward.

The move wasn’t just about expansion—it was about amplification. By turning gym ownership into a scalable opportunity, Jordan transformed not just a business, but an entire category.

How Jordan Meinster Balances Systems and Human Touch at PickUp USA

At the intersection of consistency and innovation lies the secret to sustainable growth. For Jordan Meinster, founder and CEO of PickUp USA, that balance is not just a philosophy—it’s a playbook.

“We systematize the repeatable and humanize the critical,” Jordan explains. It’s a mantra that guides how PickUp USA has scaled from a single gym to a national franchise without losing its soul.

Through detailed playbooks, checklists, and SOPs, the team ensures operational consistency across locations. But what sets the brand apart is the freedom it gives local teams to innovate—as long as it aligns with the brand’s core values and guest experience.

Innovation isn’t guesswork—it’s process. Jordan’s team uses feedback loops, field testing, and ongoing training to experiment and evolve. When a new approach proves it can improve quality or efficiency without compromising the brand, it gets rolled out systemwide.

It’s a model built for growth—with the structure to scale and the agility to adapt.

Leading with Discipline and Transparency: Jordan Meinster’s Approach to Financial Stewardship at PickUp USA

In the fast-paced world of franchising, the ability to manage finances with precision and foresight can be the difference between success and failure. For Jordan Meinster, overseeing both the franchisor budget and the financial performance of the prototype club has been a critical part of the company’s growth and sustainability.

As CEO, Meinster’s role requires constant attention to cash flow, sales trends, and resource allocation. He doesn’t just look at the numbers—he lives them. “I track cash flow, forecast based on sales trends, and make resource allocation decisions monthly,” he explains. This level of hands-on financial management ensures that every decision is aligned with the company’s long-term vision while also staying agile enough to navigate the challenges of rapid growth.

PickUp USA has experienced both lean times and aggressive periods of expansion, and in both scenarios, the key to success has been discipline and transparency. “We’ve been through both extremes, and in every case, maintaining a clear and honest financial outlook has been critical,” says Meinster. During lean times, this transparency allowed the company to make tough but necessary decisions. During periods of expansion, the discipline to carefully allocate resources fueled the company’s growth without sacrificing financial health.

For Meinster, financial stewardship is about more than just managing numbers; it’s about creating a culture of accountability and trust. His approach to managing risk, combined with a focus on long-term growth, has positioned PickUp USA for sustainable success in the competitive fitness industry.

Jordan Meinster’s leadership serves as a testament to the power of discipline and transparency in driving both stability and growth. It’s not always easy, but when you manage your resources wisely, the rewards are far-reaching.

Navigating Challenges, Fueling Growth: How Jordan Meinster Steered PickUp USA Through Tough Times to Achieve Sustainable Success

In every business journey, there are moments when growth slows, and challenges mount. For Jordan Meinster, CEO of PickUp USA Fitness, 2023–2024 presented such a period—a time marked by slower franchise growth and mounting cost pressures, two common hurdles for scaling companies.

Rather than shy away from these challenges, Meinster saw them as an opportunity to refine and strengthen the foundation of the business. “It prompted us to take a hard look at our operations and make key improvements,” he explains. This period of introspection led to a complete overhaul of their systems, allowing the company to streamline operations, reduce overhead, and increase efficiency.

One of the most pivotal changes came in the form of reorganization. Team roles were redefined to ensure maximum efficiency and accountability, and franchisee support was ramped up to provide the tools and resources needed for continued success. Additionally, PickUp USA doubled down on sales efforts, investing heavily in franchisee training, support, and marketing to ensure long-term stability and growth.

The results speak for themselves. Not only did these actions stabilize the company’s finances, but they also laid the groundwork for a new era of sustainable growth. What was once a challenging period became a transformative one—a chance to reinforce the company’s resilience and position PickUp USA for the future.

Jordan Meinster’s leadership during this critical time exemplifies the power of agility and strategic decision-making. By embracing the tough moments and making calculated adjustments, PickUp USA has emerged stronger, more focused, and ready for the next phase of expansion.

Leading with Purpose: Jordan Meinster’s Approach to Leadership at PickUp USA

Decisive. Focused. Strategic. These words define Jordan Meinster’s leadership style at PickUp USA. As CEO, he believes in leading from the front—setting the tone through work ethic, clarity, and execution.

“I’ve always believed in leading from the front,” Meinster says. “Team members know I’ll make the tough calls, but I’m also the first to give credit and celebrate wins.” This balanced approach creates a culture where high expectations are met with unwavering support.

For Meinster, leadership isn’t just about making decisions—it’s about being present and accountable, showing the team what’s possible through action, and recognizing their achievements along the way. This dynamic approach fosters trust, boosts morale, and drives the collective success of PickUp USA.

Building a Winning Culture: Jordan Meinster’s Formula for Success at PickUp USA

At PickUp USA, success isn’t just about the skills on a resume—it’s about the values that guide every team member. “We hire for values, not just skills,” says Jordan Meinster. “We clearly define our expectations, and we coach consistently.”

The foundation of the company’s culture is built on accountability, guest experience, and an ownership mindset. Meinster emphasizes the importance of rewarding performance, investing in training, and fostering an environment where feedback flows in all directions.

For Meinster, culture isn’t a one-time initiative; it’s something that’s reinforced every day. “Culture isn’t set once—it’s something you reinforce daily,” he explains. By staying true to this approach, PickUp USA continues to create a thriving environment that drives both individual and collective success.

Turning Conflict Into Clarity: Jordan Meinster’s Approach to Building Strong Teams at PickUp USA

For Jordan Meinster, conflict isn’t something to be avoided—it’s an opportunity for clarity and progress. “Head-on. I don’t let small issues fester,” he says. “If there’s a misalignment, we address it with transparency and empathy.”

In his leadership approach, the focus is always on facts, not emotions. By keeping the conversation rooted in truth and seeking shared solutions, Meinster ensures that his team remains aligned and focused on what truly matters.

“Strong teams don’t avoid conflict—they use it as a tool for clarity and progress,” he explains. By addressing challenges head-on, PickUp USA fosters a culture of open communication, growth, and collective success.

Jordan Meinster’s Leadership Philosophy at PickUp USA

Trust is earned through consistent action, and for Jordan Meinster, it starts with doing what you say you’ll do. “I’m honest with our stakeholders, open with my team, and responsive to our franchisees,” he says.

Meinster believes in clear, transparent communication, especially during times of uncertainty. “I don’t sugarcoat problems, but I also don’t panic. I communicate early, often, and clearly,” he explains. This approach fosters a culture of trust, ensuring that every team member and partner feels heard, supported, and aligned with the company’s vision.

By leading with honesty and consistency, Meinster builds the foundation for a resilient, high-performing organization.

Leading with Transparency: Jordan Meinster’s Approach to Strategic Communication at PickUp USA

At PickUp USA, transparency is at the core of every decision, even without a formal board of directors. “We are a founder-led company and do not currently have an external board of directors,” says Jordan Meinster. “That said, I have worked closely with investors and advisors, and I prioritize transparency in all strategic communication.”

Though the company operates without a traditional board structure, Meinster ensures that clarity, openness, and alignment are always prioritized. Whether communicating with investors, advisors, or his internal leadership team, he brings the same level of structure and transparency.

For Meinster, it’s not about the formal structure—it’s about maintaining trust and ensuring everyone is aligned with the company’s vision and strategy.

Earning Trust Through Consistency and Authenticity: Jordan Meinster on Building a Strong Reputation

For Jordan Meinster, a strong reputation is built on consistency and authenticity. “Reputation is earned through consistency and authenticity,” he says. “I believe in transparency—owning our wins and learning from our losses.”

Meinster emphasizes the importance of investing in brand voice, monitoring how the company is perceived, and focusing on tangible results. “Reputation starts with how we treat our customers and franchisees,” he explains. By maintaining transparency and consistently delivering on promises, PickUp USA has built a reputation of trust and integrity.

For Meinster, a brand’s reputation isn’t just about marketing—it’s about real, meaningful connections and results that speak for themselves.

Navigating Risk with Strategy and Expertise: Jordan Meinster’s Approach to Safeguarding PickUp USA’s Future

For Jordan Meinster, managing risk is a proactive and strategic process. “We proactively assess risks across operations, financials, legal, and reputation,” he says. “We use structured review processes to identify potential issues and run multiple scenario models to prepare contingency plans.”

This approach allows Meinster to stay ahead of challenges and safeguard the company’s future. He also leans heavily on expert advisors, recognizing that navigating complex risk environments requires diverse perspectives and specialized knowledge.

By combining thorough risk assessments with expert guidance, PickUp USA remains agile and well-prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.

Jordan Meinster’s Commitment to Compliance at PickUp USA

As CEO of PickUp USA, Jordan Meinster understands that compliance is critical to the integrity and success of a franchise business. “Compliance is a constant focus,” he says. “We adhere to state-level FDD filing requirements, manage brand standards systemwide, and maintain tight documentation on all franchisee interactions.”

Meinster’s leadership ensures that PickUp USA not only meets legal requirements but also upholds the highest standards of consistency and quality across its entire network. The company also conducts regular audits of internal processes to ensure alignment with brand values and protect the franchise’s reputation.

By maintaining rigorous compliance protocols, PickUp USA continues to build trust with franchisees and customers, reinforcing its commitment to integrity and excellence.

Leading Through Crisis: Jordan Meinster’s Approach to Overcoming Challenges at PickUp USA

The challenges of the past few years—navigating the pandemic, shifting market dynamics, staffing shortages, and financial pressures—have tested businesses in ways never before seen. For Jordan Meinster, these crises have been opportunities to strengthen systems and demonstrate leadership.

“My approach has always been: stay calm, communicate clearly, and act decisively,” says Meinster. During times of uncertainty, he focuses on clear communication and making informed decisions that guide the company through turbulence.

“Crises reveal whether your systems are strong—and if not, they force you to build better ones,” he adds. Through these trials, PickUp USA has emerged stronger, with refined systems and a more resilient culture, proving that true leadership is about adaptability and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Jordan Meinster’s Approach to Continuous Improvement at PickUp USA

At PickUp USA, innovation isn’t just about cutting-edge technology or flashy new ideas—it’s about listening and responding to feedback. “We listen to our people and our customers,” says Jordan Meinster. “Innovation is built into our feedback loops, from franchisees to members.”

When recurring problems or opportunities arise, Meinster’s team quickly tests solutions and scales what works. “Innovation doesn’t have to be flashy—sometimes it’s just making a process smoother or a system clearer,” he explains.

This approach ensures that PickUp USA remains agile, constantly improving its operations based on real-world feedback and practical solutions. By focusing on continuous improvement, the company builds stronger relationships with its franchisees and customers while fostering a culture of innovation at every level.

Building for the Long Haul: Jordan Meinster’s Approach to Smart, Sustainable Growth at PickUp USA

PickUp USA’s success story is one of resourcefulness, discipline, and strategic growth. “We’re proudly self-funded and founder-led,” says Jordan Meinster. “We built this company from the ground up with limited resources and a relentless commitment to financial discipline.”

Unlike many fast-growing companies, PickUp USA has not relied on venture capital, private equity, or institutional investors. Instead, the company has grown by reinvesting its own revenue and making every dollar count. With zero debt and strong financial controls, the company operates with a lean, focused approach, staying nimble and accountable to its mission rather than outside interests.

This financial discipline extends to PickUp USA’s franchise model. “We help our franchisees build clubs that are financially sustainable from day one,” Meinster explains. By managing whitebox costs, controlling FF&E spending, and setting rent and loan benchmarks, the company ensures that each new club is set up for long-term viability.

For Meinster, it’s not just about rapid growth—it’s about smart, durable growth that ensures healthy unit-level economics and lasting success.

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Jordan Meinster’s Data-Driven Approach to Leadership at PickUp USA

For Jordan Meinster, staying competitive means staying informed. “I stay close to the data—consumer behavior, competitor strategies, franchise development benchmarks,” he says. This data-driven approach allows him to make informed, proactive decisions rather than reacting to market changes after they happen.

But data alone isn’t enough. Meinster also values direct input from those on the ground. “I talk regularly with franchisees, vendors, and advisors who provide ground-level insight.” This combination of data and real-world feedback ensures that PickUp USA remains agile, informed, and ready to adapt to changing market dynamics.

By focusing on both strategic data and authentic feedback, Meinster keeps PickUp USA ahead of the competition, ready to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities.

Building Sustainable Success: Jordan Meinster’s Vision for the Future of PickUp USA

For Jordan Meinster, success isn’t measured by the number of locations—it’s about creating a network of thriving franchisees. “I see PickUp USA as a network of thriving franchisees—each operating a high-performing club with strong unit-level economics, excellent guest experience, and deep local impact,” he says.

Meinster’s vision focuses on building sustainable businesses that succeed long-term. “Our focus isn’t just on expanding location count—it’s on building sustainable businesses that succeed long-term,” he explains.

By leading with discipline, operational precision, and a relentless commitment to franchisee success, Meinster ensures that every win for a franchisee is a win for the entire company. With this unwavering approach, PickUp USA is positioning itself for long-term growth and continued success.

Building a Legacy: Jordan Meinster’s Vision for PickUp USA’s Impact and Growth

Jordan Meinster, is driven by a deep passion for creating something meaningful. “I’m motivated by the idea of creating a brand that brings basketball-focused fitness clubs to communities across the country,” he says. His vision is to build spaces where both youth and adults can thrive through structured programs, high-quality coaching, and a strong sense of community.

Equally inspiring for Meinster is the opportunity to help franchisees achieve their dreams. “I’m inspired by our franchisees, many of whom are fulfilling lifelong dreams of business ownership through our system,” he explains. Helping them succeed and create meaningful local impact is what fuels his drive every day.

Through it all, Meinster remains committed to leading with integrity, creating lasting value, and building something that will outlive him—a legacy of positive, community-centered growth.