Las Vegas Mannequins CEO Bringing Las Vegas Some New Magic: Voodoo Brewing Co.

Las Vegas Mannequins CEO Alison Wainwright, who is no stranger to business ownership, has recently decided to expand her repertoire with a new title of Voodoo Brewing Co. franchisee. 

In a city that seemingly has it all, Wainwright looks forward to bringing something new to Las Vegas. She was initially drawn to the brand for its distinctive aesthetic and artwork, but was inspired to get involved upon seeing how the Voodoo crew treated everyone like one big family.

Not only does she plan to introduce Las Vegas to the craft beer brewery franchise, but she wants to “share Voodoo all over town” with two additional locations on the horizon. 

Wainwright spoke with 1851 Franchise to discuss her journey into franchising. 

PROFILE 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?

Wainwright: I have worked in the tradeshow industry since 1998. Previously, I lived in Boston and had a display and graphics business.  My travels brought me to Las Vegas where I grew my company to where I did everything from selling tradeshow booths and displays to store fixtures and mannequins. 

The company I started, Las Vegas Mannequins, sells and rents mannequins and store fixtures. After doing this most of my life, I wanted to do something a little different in addition to this business. I stumbled across Voodoo and thought the whole concept was really cool. I love their artwork, and it's just something that's very unique that I think would do really well in the Las Vegas market. 

Our upcoming opening should be pretty exciting. We have a large outdoor space and are planning some celebrity appearances, so there should be a pretty big turn out.

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?

Wainwright: I used to think franchising was a big corporate concept. It has turned out to be a lot more intimate and more of a family than I first realized. The Voodoo crew are good at creating that kind of atmosphere.

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

Wainwright: I'm excited to bring a new concept to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is a place that has almost everything already, but they don't have something quite like Voodoo.

The brand does a really great job with branding, and they have a really good product that I can stand behind. Their beers and their cocktail list are incredible and so is the food. It’s a unique concept, and the artwork is awesome, too.

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

Wainwright: I am currently committed to opening three locations. The first location I am opening is in the Arts District, which means I can get away with not having a huge kitchen. A lot of places down on brewery row where I'm opening do not have that and they rely on food trucks. This is a great way for me to ease into the brand.

I am hoping to open locations that are about triple the size of the space of my first location more on the outskirts of Las Vegas. That way I can share Voodoo all over town.

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

Wainwright: I've had to learn patience. With my current business, I make things happen. I don't sit back and wait for them to happen. It’s definitely a big learning curve for me having to wait for permits and other things that are out of my control. I am really looking forward to everything I’ve been working for coming to fruition.

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

Wainwright: Do your homework. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

If you need to take a lot of time before you sign on, that’s totally okay. I think a lot of people feel hesitant and they don't think their questions are warranted, but you should do whatever feels good for you and trust your gut. 

I don't think Voodoo can be compared to any other franchise, and I mean that in a really positive way. You really get to know everybody and it's a big family. You feel like everybody really cares. 

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco. 

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/