Franchise Times: Voodoo Brewing COO Touts Importance of Community Connection

Voodoo Franchise Group, franchisor of 22-unit brewpub concept Voodoo Brewing Co., welcomed Erik Ivey as chief operating officer in January, according to a recent Franchise Times article.

Ivey brings with him a wealth of experience from renowned brands like Quiznos, Noodles & Company and Yum Brands. What drew him to Voodoo Brewing Co. was not just its catchy name, but its profound emphasis on community. Founder Matteo Rachocki's 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.” 

By balancing consumer preferences with sustainability and quality, Ivey aims to create a menu that reflects the unique flavors and culture of each local community 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 support franchisee success, 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 here. 

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/.