Voodoo Brewing Co.

After 30 years of working in the electronic design and manufacturing industry,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-skepnek-a85ab3177/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=craft-beer-enthusiast-and-design-engineer-enters-world-of-franchising-with-voodoo-brewing-2725537" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bob Skepnek</a> decided it was time for a new adventure. In searching for entrepreneurial opportunities, he came across&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco">Voodoo Brewing</a> and was immediately impressed by the brand’s infrastructure, business model and franchisee support. All of that, and of course, great beer.“The whole idea of pub food that’s more elevated with a little twist on it, served alongside great beer and in a great atmosphere, made&nbsp;<a href="https://voodoofranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=craft-beer-enthusiast-and-design-engineer-enters-world-of-franchising-with-voodoo-brewing-2725537" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Voodoo</a> the perfect fit for me,” he said.&nbsp;He looks forward to welcoming the members of his community in St. Petersburg, Florida, catering to the interests of everyone and looks forward to making his location unique, while still offering the beloved vibe of Voodoo.“My goal is to serve great beer, great food and provide a great space,” he said. “My chef has a background in fine dining, so we will introduce some things you might not expect at a pub. I want this to be a place where people want to hang out. There’s a lot of seating, there’s a game room and music. There’s something for everyone.”1851 Franchise spoke with Skepnek about his journey into franchising and his plans for the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;FEATURE QUESTIONS1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Skepnek:&nbsp;I spent almost a lifetime at my previous company; I started with them right out of college. I was in the electronic design and manufacturing industry. I became a design engineer and I spent about 30 years there, and soon became engineering manager pretty early in my career, and then general manager later on. It was a great experience, but as with a lot of good things, the time came for me to move on.I left my company and, right around that same time, my wife got a job offer in Florida, so we decided to make the move from Chicago.I was researching different business opportunities and considering my next move when I came across Voodoo. I've been a craft beer enthusiast for a long time. I've been brewing my own beer since the 80s and I've often considered opening up my own where I do it all myself, but there are some pretty substantial barriers to entry, even though brewing is enjoyable.&nbsp;There's a lot of infrastructure in place in partnering with Voodoo, which allowed me to enter the industry quickly. The whole idea of pub food that’s more elevated with a little twist on it, served alongside great beer and in a great atmosphere, made Voodoo the perfect fit for me.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?Skepnek:&nbsp;There’s a lot to be said for being part of a larger organization. Small business owners, I imagine, feel like they’re out on an island. With a franchise like Voodoo, you receive support and there is always someone there to help you solve any problems you encounter.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Skepnek:&nbsp;I love the beer, the atmosphere and the vibe. They market themselves as a sort of “unfranchised franchise.” It is not as rigid as other concepts; it’s more of a cooperative collaboration. The products, services, food and beer are all great. That, partnered with more flexibility to create my own space, is ideal.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Skepnek:&nbsp;My goal is to serve great beer, great food and provide a great space. My chef has a background in fine dining, so we will introduce some things you might not expect at a pub. I want this to be a place where people want to hang out. There’s a lot of seating, there’s a game room and music. There’s something for everyone.I am currently focused on, and obsessed with, getting this first one off the ground. Eventually, maybe I can take a step back and open another location.&nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?Skepnek:&nbsp;What I’ve taken from my career background is the ability to manage chaos and crisis. I don’t panic when faced with a problem. This is a new industry for me, but I can confidently address challenges as they come. Those who work for me will appreciate this, and my customers hopefully will benefit too.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Skepnek:&nbsp;You’ve got to have a strong stomach; you might face a lot of adversity at first and spend a lot of money. You need to accept that, for a while, the money is only going in one direction. It’s a risk, but the rewards can be great.&nbsp;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 <a href="https://voodoofranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=craft-beer-enthusiast-and-design-engineer-enters-world-of-franchising-with-voodoo-brewing-2725537" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://voodoofranchising.com/</a>&nbsp;

Voodoo Brewing Franchisee Opening New Brewpub in St Petersburg

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Bob Skepnek, who has been brewing his own craft beer since the 80s, has finally decided to turn his passion into a career as a Voodoo Brewing franchisee in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Craft Beer Enthusiast and Design Engineer Enters World of Franchising with Voodoo Brewing

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As&nbsp;<a href="https://www.voodoobrewery.com/about">Voodoo Franchise Group</a> accelerates its national expansion, the brewpub franchise is giving its owners new tools to deepen relationships with guests who already know the brand and its beer best.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco/info">Voodoo</a> recently launched a new loyalty program designed to drive repeat visits and local engagement across its network of franchised restaurants. The program uses Toast to power in-store rewards and Popmenu to support loyalty in terms of online pickup and delivery (along with built-in text and email marketing capabilities). The new initiative fills a long-standing gap in terms of how the brand connects with its most engaged customers.“I think it’s a direct line to giving back to people who are loyal to our brand” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-ivey-ph-d-371a0618/">Erik Ivey</a>, chief operating officer. “We haven’t done this in the past. But it’s probably the most important thing we can do right now to really engage the guests we know are loyal members.”<h2>Empowering Franchisees to Market Locally</h2>Voodoo’s franchise model has always leaned into flexibility and local ownership. Each location follows core brand standards but features menus, events and programming shaped by its community, empowering owners looking to build deeper connections at the local level. Until now, however, franchisees lacked a simple way to communicate those local experiences directly to the guests who visit most.But the new loyalty program changes that. It gives Voodoo Franchise Group operators a direct line to their customers, equipping them with the ability to promote everything from new menu items to live music and other weekly events.“We like to call ourselves an ‘anti-franchise’ company because we give freedom to franchise owners,” Ivey said. “We have a core menu, plus local flair menus created by chefs in each community. So, every Voodoo franchise is unique to its market because we’re a unique brand.”<h2>Turning Loyalty Data Into Smarter Decisions</h2>While the new loyalty program operates across both Toast and Popmenu, ease of use has led Voodoo more heavily toward the latter as local franchisees get comfortable with the new marketing efforts (particularly those without dedicated marketing teams).Beyond communication though, the loyalty program is also beginning to generate data that franchise owners can use to make better, smarter marketing decisions. Tracking loyalty member growth and engagement now for several months, Voodoo plans to share the insights gleaned systemwide.“If you’re going to spend money on marketing, would you rather market directly to people already engaged with your business — or send it to the general population with a return rate of less than 1%?” Ivey said. “I’d rather have a higher return by going directly to loyalty members.”<h2>A Franchisee-Driven Approach to Innovation</h2>Early feedback from franchise owners has been positive (especially as they experience clearer engagement and are able to exert more control over how each local community is reached). At a broader level, the loyalty program reflects Voodoo’s franchisee-first approach to innovation. After spending the past year visiting every location and gathering feedback directly from local operators, Voodoo corporate identified guest engagement as a priority.“This didn’t come from a magical idea,” Ivey said. “Franchise owners were asking, ‘How do we better engage our communities? How do we get more people through our doors?’ That led us here.”&nbsp;<h2>The Value of Loyalty</h2>Looking ahead, Ivey said the real value of the loyalty program lies in its ability to turn strong in-store experiences into sustained growth across the greater Voodoo franchise system.“If you bring loyalty members back and they have a great experience, they’ll transfer that experience to people who aren’t members yet,” Ivey said. “That creates upward momentum and more loyalty members over time.”For Voodoo and its franchise owners, that momentum is built not through cookie-cutter marketing, but by giving local operators the tools to keep their communities elevated, engaged and coming back.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco">https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco</a>.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 over 20 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&nbsp;<a href="https://voodoofranchising.com/">https://voodoofranchising.com/</a>.

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Voodoo Brewing Co. Launches New Loyalty Program to Boost Franchise Sales, Aid Customer Retention

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Football season is back, and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco/info">Voodoo Brewing Co.</a> — the brewpub franchise with 26 locations across multiple states — is kicking it off with a partnership built for fans who take their Saturdays seriously. Back in September,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco/info">Voodoo Brewing Co.</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://tailgating-challenge.com/">Tailgating Challenge</a> launched lil’ vibes as the official beer of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-tailgating-day-first-saturday-in-september">National Tailgating Day</a> — complete with special-edition cans, brewery events and activations timed with some of the biggest college matchups of the season.&nbsp;This collaboration gives franchise owners a new way to plug into local fan culture while giving tailgaters a flavorful, sessionable beer to bring to the lot.<h2>How the Partnership Started</h2>Like many good stories, this one began on Instagram.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukelorick/">Luke Lorick</a>, founder of Tailgating Challenge, first came across Voodoo’s beer after visiting the brand’s Colorado Springs location. “He DM’d on Instagram,” said Chief Marketing Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-guzick-jr-595016293/">Tom Guzick</a>. “He said, ‘Hey, you know, I’m interested in maybe doing something with your product … Here’s what I do tailgating-wise. I’ve been to your Colorado space. I love your branding.’”That simple message kicked off a year-long conversation about what a beer-driven tailgate collaboration could look like. “He’d just tried Lacto-Kooler, and we reshared his story,” Guzick said. “He said, ‘If you ever want to collab on a beer for National Tailgating Day, let me know.’”With National Tailgating Day landing on the first Saturday of college football season each year, it felt like a natural fit.<h2>Choosing the Official Beer of Tailgating Season</h2>Once conversations became serious, Voodoo sent Lorick a lineup of products to test at various tailgates. There were some obvious candidates — including Empty Calories, the brand’s light lager — but Luke gravitated toward something a little more flavorful.“We had just created lil’ vibes this year as the counterpart to our good vibes West Coast IPA," Guzick said. "It has the same big flavor as good vibes, but only 4.3% ABV.”lil’ vibes became the perfect match: a session IPA built for long days, big crowds and hot grills. Voodoo Brewing Co. created a run of limited-edition lil’ vibes cans featuring Tailgating Challenge’s logo as a “hidden Easter egg” and shipped them to markets with strong fan bases and active Tailgating Challenge events.<h2>Launching the Collaboration</h2>The campaign officially launched in early September, coinciding with the first weeks of the college football season. The Tailgating Challenge celebrated National Tailgating Day in Oklahoma and is hosting events in Colorado, Texas and South Carolina throughout the season.Voodoo has already shipped special lil’ vibes cans to these markets where it distributes and the team at Tailgate Challenge even took some to Oklahoma to support its tailgate, even though Voodoo does not currently distribute there.&nbsp;&nbsp;The partnership even sparked ideas for future years, including a possible full custom label rollout for the 2026 season.<h2>What This Means for Voodoo Franchise Owners</h2>For franchise owners, the partnership creates a new entry point into football culture — one of the most passionate, reliable, and social consumer groups in the country.“It gives them opportunities to market lil’ vibes as the official tailgating beer,” Guzick said. “It gives them ways to connect with Luke and his whole community … especially those with big college football programs nearby.”<h2>What’s Next</h2>Both teams see this first season as the foundation for something bigger.“This was the best way we could get it into our lineup,” Guzick said. “Start small, see what the market says, and grow from there.”With Luke traveling to games across the country, Voodoo selling out of special cans in select markets, and franchise owners leaning into the excitement, the partnership has already shown how far a good idea — and a great beer — can go.For now, tailgaters everywhere can toast the season with lil’ vibes, the official beer of National Tailgating Day, and maybe the start of a long-running football tradition.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco">https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco</a>.

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Voodoo Brewing October Drink Pink cocktail

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Flavor That Falls Into Place: Voodoo Brewing’s Bold New Seasonal Menu

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MEADVILLE, Pa.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://www.voodoobrewery.com/">Voodoo Brewing Co.</a> is wrapping up a momentous year marked by substantial expansion, operational improvements and deeper engagement. The craft beer brand ended 2025 with 27 locations nationwide, up from 21 at the start of the year. Reflecting on the growth, Chief Operating Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-ivey-ph-d-371a0618/">Erik Ivey</a> said the company approached 2025 with a clear plan to strengthen both relationships and operational foundations.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We came up with a game plan at the beginning of the year to embed ourselves in building relationships, first and foremost with our franchise owners, listening to them, understanding what was going well, what wasn’t and what we needed to do differently,” Ivey said. “We also wanted to listen to our communities and understand how we could improve for them. By the end of 2025, we’d built relationships, redesigned our model, opened quite a few locations, rewarded loyalty and moved in the right direction.”In 2025,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco/info">Voodoo</a> launched a loyalty program designed to deepen guest engagement while supporting franchisees in marketing directly to their communities.“It allows us to tell our story to loyalty members, provide offers and engage guests more meaningfully,” Ivey said. “It also attracts more loyalty members.”This year, the company supported franchise owners with training and marketing tools through Popmenu, a platform that streamlines communication with loyalty members and provides actionable data and insights.Voodoo also focused on optimizing its economic model. Underperforming locations were evaluated and supported, resulting in a substantial increase in average unit volume. New openings across smaller communities — including Sneads Ferry, North Carolina; Delafield, Wisconsin; Toledo, Ohio; and Lexington, South Carolina — exceeded expectations, attracting elevated local engagement from the start.Looking ahead to 2026, Voodoo plans to further expand its focus on hospitality and support for Voodoo franchisees. The company will further elevate the guest experience both in-house and through community engagement while providing franchise owners with more tools, resources and continuous support.&nbsp;“We’re emphasizing hospitality in three areas: back-of-house execution, front-of-house guest experience and community engagement outside the four walls,” Ivey said. “We’re focused on making it easier for Voodoo franchisees and guests alike.”&nbsp;By listening to franchise owners and engaging directly at the local level, Voodoo has positioned itself for continued growth (while maintaining the uniquely elevated, community-oriented identity that differentiates the brand in the competitive craft beer and restaurant industry).As 2026 approaches, Voodoo Franchise Group is prepared to continue its expansion trajectory. The new year will also see a focus on innovation and operational excellence. Voodoo will build on last year’s momentum with a focus on improving the guest experience and community connection driven by great beer at each local establishment.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco">https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco</a>.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 over 20 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&nbsp;<a href="https://voodoofranchising.com/">https://voodoofranchising.com/</a>.

Voodoo Brewing Co. Grows Its Footprint by Nearly 30% in 2025, Setting the Stage for an Elevated 2026

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Craft Beer Enthusiast and Design Engineer Enters World of Franchising with Voodoo Brewing

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