James and Betsy Rouse’s journey into the world of franchising began with a heartfelt moment and a shared vision. Following the passing of James’ mother last year, the couple took a trip to Savannah, Georgia, where they visited a local brewery. For James, it was a transformative experience. “The kindness shown by the staff there — especially the brewmaster, Jen — deeply affected me,” he said. This visit sparked a desire in James to open a brewery of his own. Betsy was immediately on board with the idea, and the couple set off on a path to make it happen.

Despite their initial enthusiasm, the Rouses realized they lacked experience in the restaurant industry, a concern raised during the SBA loan application process. As they explored their options, Betsy stumbled upon Voodoo Brewing Company, a name that immediately clicked with her. 

“I thought, ‘Dang, that’s a good name,’” she said. “The brand resonated with me because I grew up in a metaphysical family, and I’ve been doing tea leaf readings and psychic readings for years. The connection to the brand felt natural.”

“It was a combination of Betsy’s interest in metaphysical things and my passion for craft beer,” James added. “It just felt like the right fit.”

Now, as franchisees of Voodoo Brewing’s first taproom in Georgia, the Rouses are focused on building a community space in Roswell. “Craft beer without community is just beer,” James said, echoing the philosophy of Voodoo’s founders, Matteo and Curtis Rachocki. The Rouses envision their brewery as a third place for people apart from work and home — somewhere to relax, enjoy great food and experience amazing beer. While they acknowledge the potential for future expansion, their current priority is becoming a trusted local establishment.

For James and Betsy, their business is rooted in three key elements: the liquid, the food, and the experience. Betsy calls this their “three-legged stool,” and it’s where they plan to channel their energy. Reflecting on their journey, James noted the importance of partnership in the process: “The easiest part of this whole process has been knowing I have the support of my partner. If you’re going into franchising as a couple, both of you need to be fully committed.”

The Rouses recently sat down with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what they had to say:

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

Betsy Rouse: My background is in chemistry. I worked for John Deere for 20 years before qualifying for an early voluntary separation program. That led me to Cumming, Georgia, about seven years ago. I then worked for a boutique software company called Octane5, supporting the brand licensing industry. After about five years, I joined a software company in the health care field, where I currently manage a customer support team of 20 people. I have over 30 years of corporate experience, and I’m passionate about using data and processes to build high-performance teams. But it was James’ journey that led us to Voodoo Brewing.

James Rouse: We moved to Cumming, Georgia, seven years ago from North Carolina. I started working at a lumber company at the bottom and eventually became a regional manager, helping scale the business to a billion dollars a year. After leaving that role, I joined a start-up where I managed logistics, security and operations. I was eventually tasked with building a full-blown manufacturing department. 

Last year, my mom, who had been diagnosed with dementia, passed away. After her passing, I took a trip with Betsy and visited a brewery in Savannah. The kindness shown by the staff there — especially the brewmaster, Jen — deeply affected me. That experience made me realize that I wanted to open a brewery and do it for myself. I shared this with Betsy, and without hesitation, she supported the idea.

Betsy: We started the process of finding a location and applying for an SBA loan. During that process, an advisor pointed out that we lacked experience in the restaurant industry. While researching other business opportunities, I came across Voodoo Brewing Company. It felt like the perfect fit, almost serendipitous.

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?

James: Initially, I thought of franchising as being mass-produced or even cheap. But after going through the process, I realized that franchising offers an incredible opportunity for local, hardworking individuals to start their own business. It provides a structure and support system that’s invaluable when you’re doing this for the first time. It’s not just about following a dream — it’s about having the right tools and support to make that dream a reality.

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

Betsy: When we decided to open a brewery, I researched brand names, and I came across Voodoo Brewing. I thought, “Dang, that’s a good name.” The brand resonated with me because I grew up in a metaphysical family, and I’ve been doing tea leaf readings and psychic readings for years. The connection to the brand felt natural.

James: It was a combination of Betsy’s interest in metaphysical things and my passion for craft beer. It just felt like the right fit.

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

James: For us, it’s about community. The founder of Voodoo Brewing said, “Craft beer without community is just beer,” and that resonated with me. We want to be a place where people can come to escape from work and feel at home — a third place for them. Our goal is to build trust with the community and offer great food, amazing beer and good vibes. While there might be opportunities to open another location in the future, our focus right now is on becoming a trusted part of the Roswell community.

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

Betsy: Our focus is on three things, which I call the three-legged stool: the liquid, the food and the experience. We’re going to channel our energy into delivering high-quality service around these three elements.

James: The easiest part of this whole process has been knowing I have the support of my partner. If you’re going into franchising as a couple, both of you need to be fully committed. Betsy has had my back every step of the way, and that has made all the difference.

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

James: Be ready to zig and zag. This isn’t just an investment — it’s a commitment. If you’re not fully dedicated, it’s going to be tough. You have to be prepared to roll up your sleeves and work hard. There’s always a lot to do, and it requires constant prioritization.

Betsy: You really have to know yourself and your partner if you’re doing this together. James and I love problem-solving and working with people. If you don’t enjoy those things, you might struggle.

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 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 https://voodoofranchising.com/.