Voodoo Brewing Co.

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/voodoo-brewery?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-voodoo-brewing-coo-touts-importance-of-community-connection-2726150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Voodoo Franchise Group</a>, franchisor of 22-unit brewpub concept&nbsp;<a href="https://voodoofranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-voodoo-brewing-coo-touts-importance-of-community-connection-2726150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Voodoo Brewing Co.</a>, welcomed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-ivey-371a0618?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-voodoo-brewing-coo-touts-importance-of-community-connection-2726150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Erik Ivey</a> as chief operating officer in January, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_talent/voodoo-brewing-coo-touts-importance-of-community-connection/article_4b8a0798-00e9-11ef-abf5-e3c0fcb52e69.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-voodoo-brewing-coo-touts-importance-of-community-connection-2726150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a recent Franchise Times article</a>.Ivey brings with him a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco/voodoo-franchise-group-announces-erik-ivey-as-new-coo-2725310#trending">wealth of experience</a> from renowned brands like Quiznos, Noodles &amp; Company and Yum Brands. What drew him to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco">Voodoo Brewing Co.</a> was not just its catchy name, but its profound emphasis on community. Founder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/voodoo-brewery_voodoo-brewing-co-meet-matteo-rachocki-activity-6902620736041947136-2iCi?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-voodoo-brewing-coo-touts-importance-of-community-connection-2726150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Matteo Rachocki's</a> assertion that "craft without community is just beer" resonated deeply with Ivey, inspiring him to join a brand that prioritizes community values.One of Ivey's primary focuses as COO is integrating community-centric elements into every aspect of Voodoo Brewing's operations, including its menu offerings.“Aside from connecting the beer to our communities, we also connect our food to the communities,” Ivey told Franchise Times. “Having a menu that does that, that is unique and special and memorable, is one thing that we’re working on.”&nbsp;By balancing consumer preferences with sustainability and quality, Ivey aims to create a menu that reflects the unique flavors and culture of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco/crafting-a-new-chapter-homebuilding-couple-becomes-voodoo-brewing-franchisees-2725631#featured">each local community</a> while still adhering to the standards of a franchised brand.Central to Voodoo Brewing's approach is its "anti-franchise franchise" model, which allows franchisees considerable freedom in shaping their individual pub experiences while maintaining core brand values. This strategy fosters a sense of ownership and authenticity while enabling Voodoo to establish strong community relationships at the local level.“The whole heart of what we do and how we do things is wrapped in the community,” Ivey told Franchise Times. “If we can focus our restaurants on building relationships within our communities, then the business will succeed as well.”In addition to menu development, Ivey is implementing various strategies to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco/fastest-growing-brewpub-franchise-on-the-planet-voodoo-brewing-co-awards-23-franchises-in-2023-2723763#stories">support franchisee success</a>, including navigating the challenging real estate market to secure prime locations for new establishments. As Voodoo Brewing enters a phase of expansion, Ivey's vision for the brand revolves around building strong community connections, ensuring that each pub becomes a hub for local engagement and enjoyment.“Right now, we’re in the building stage,” Ivey told Franchise Times. “We’re very new to what we’re doing, but we’re doing something very unique that is different from a lot of the breweries out there.”Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_talent/voodoo-brewing-coo-touts-importance-of-community-connection/article_4b8a0798-00e9-11ef-abf5-e3c0fcb52e69.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-voodoo-brewing-coo-touts-importance-of-community-connection-2726150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.&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&nbsp;<a href="https://voodoofranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-times-voodoo-brewing-coo-touts-importance-of-community-connection-2726150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://voodoofranchising.com/.</a>&nbsp;

Voodoo Brewing Co. COO Erik Ivey’s Focus on Community

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Erik Ivey brings years of restaurant experience to his new role and plans to leverage both this expertise and his passion for connection to strengthen the franchise system.

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Franchise Times: Voodoo Brewing COO Touts Importance of Community Connection 

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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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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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Franchise Times: Voodoo Brewing COO Touts Importance of Community Connection

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