Crafting Community Connections: Voodoo Franchisee Couple Fulfill Business Ownership Dreams in their Hometown

Alicia and Joel Piccione have both been working in banking for nearly two decades, but when they stumbled upon the opportunity to franchise with Voodoo Brewing in their hometown of Meridian, Idaho, they decided it was time to fulfill their longtime entrepreneurial dreams.

“We’ve talked about owning our own business forever,” said Alicia. “This has been our dream for the 20 years we have been married. We just never took the leap until now.”

The beer-drinking couple has always loved the idea of owning a taphouse, but was drawn to Voodoo Brewing’s family-friendly environment, along with the brand’s core values of community.

“We are beer lovers and breweries are our thing. On vacation, we seek out breweries,” said Alicia. “ We wanted some sort of taphouse, but wanted it to be a restaurant so our youngest daughter, who is 12, could be there with us. She is super social and wants to be our official greeter.”

The Picciones are looking forward to opening their doors to their community on March 16, 2024. As a family-owned business, they’re grateful for the support they have received from their loved ones in getting the business off the ground, and look forward to building a new tight-knit community within their own brewpub.

1851 Franchise spoke with the Picciones about their journey into franchising and their plans for the future.  

FEATURE QUESTIONS

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Alicia: We have always worked in banking. Joel has been in it for 25 years, and I have been in it for 19.

We are beer lovers and breweries are our thing. On vacation, we seek out breweries. We love the vibe and feel. We wanted some sort of taphouse, but wanted it to be a restaurant so our youngest daughter, who is 12, could be there with us. She is super social and wants to be our official greeter.

Joel came across Voodoo as a franchise — which you don't see many breweries as franchises — and from there, we immediately fell in love with the brand. We liked the laid-back culture, the community feel and of course, the beers.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Joel: The pro of the franchise is that they help with the pieces you may not know. They bring in the expertise you need and a team to support you. 

Alicia: The kitchen component is something we wanted support and guidance on because we are not in that industry. The franchise concept was critically important for us in that respect.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Alicia: The culture and the vibe of the brand is really fun; the brand is a little wild and crazy and witty. It’s a place we would want to hang out so we want to provide that space for our community to gather and enjoy themselves.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Alicia: We want to get this first one open and do things right, creating a great space for those in our community to come and hang out and have a drink. 

We have signed for three locations, so we would love to grow in the future — but for now we are focused on the first one and making it the best it can be for our guests.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

Joel: We are family owned.

Alicia: We love the franchise because we love the support and guidelines they provide, but we are truly family-owned. We have so many friends and family locally, and every one of them has helped us get this off the ground. 

We talked about owning our own business forever. This has been our dream for the 20 years we have been married. We just never took the leap until now. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Alicia: If someone is looking at franchising, I think it's important to know if you have the same values as the brand you are franchising with. With Voodoo, we love what they stand for. They're all about community, and we are too. We're super active in the chamber in our community. It’s important to find shared core values.

ABOUT VOODOO BREWING CO.

More than just a brewery, Voodoo Brewing Co. is a community of passionate beer lovers dedicated to pushing the boundaries of craft beer. Alongside world-renowned “liquid gold,” provided directly from the brewery, local owners offer killer food, craft cocktails and hard seltzer in their community-focused brewpubs. Each location has a customized logo, locally inspired menu and consistent local events, allowing Voodoo Brewing Co. franchise partners to become truly immersed in their communities. With 18 locations across multiple states, Voodoo Brewing Co. has already captured the hearts of beer enthusiasts nationwide and has proven itself as the fastest-growing brewpub franchise in the world. Now, it is on track to quickly grow roots across the nation. For more information, visit https://voodoofranchising.com/