Voodoo Brewing Co., the 20-unit brewpub franchise, maintained steady expansion throughout 2024, averaging over one opening per month to end the year with 15 new pubs. The company strategically focused on strengthening operations at existing locations while carefully managing new growth to maintain a healthy system that can support steady growth in the coming years.
“A big focus of ours last year was to slow down a little bit on growth and put more effort into the pubs that are currently open or in active development and opening soon,” said Matt Hass, director of marketing at Voodoo Franchise Group. “Florida is proving to be one of our biggest markets. We cemented our footprint there, which is really cool because we have a lot more Florida locations coming."
Beyond Florida, Voodoo Brewing Co. entered several first-time markets, including Virginia, Georgia and Meridian, Idaho, while also deepening its presence in existing territories like Texas, Ohio and South Carolina. The brand also continued to strengthen its position in core markets, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Carolinas.
In the realm of product development, 2024 marked a significant milestone with the enhanced distribution of the prestigious Barrel Room Collection (BRC) to franchise locations.
“We’ve been aging these beers for 24 to 44 months and some as long as 50 months,” said Tom Guzick, chief marketing officer of Voodoo Brewing Company & Digital Field Marketing & Brand Standards Manager of Voodoo Franchise Group. “It’s spending a lot of time in different bourbon barrels, and limited access to those barrels makes it difficult to distribute the BRC in bulk. It’s such a regimented process, but opening up access to the BRC for franchisees has been really exciting.”
The food service segment saw remarkable growth throughout 2024, with many locations reporting food sales outpacing beverage sales.
"When we started this whole thing about six years ago, the liquid was what everybody was ordering," Hass said. "But, slowly but surely, the food is starting to catch up to the beer in terms of overall sales percentage. And, in a lot of cases, we sell more food in our tap rooms than we do beer."
To keep up with the varied and growing demand from guests, Voodoo Brewing Co. will continue to evolve its menus through 2025, creating an even more unique and localized experience at each brewpub.
Voodoo's unique approach to franchising continued to set it apart in the industry throughout 2024.
"We have a saying that we plaster almost everywhere: 'Craft beer without community is just beer,'" Hass said. “This philosophy is reflected in how each location operates.”
"We may be a national brand, but the pubs are locally owned by people who live in and love their communities,” Guzick said. “Our franchise owners are deeply connected to their neighborhoods, creating a true hometown experience in every location."
Each location has its own identity while maintaining brand consistency. Each location gets its own icon, and owners have the opportunity to customize 25% of the food menu and bring in local guest taps. Still, with the franchise model, owners continue to receive guidance from the corporate team, ensuring they’re set up for success.
Looking Forward to 2025
As Voodoo Brewing Co. moves into 2025, several exciting initiatives are on the horizon. The beer program will expand with new core offerings, including what Guzick describes as "a whole new series of beers called Crick Crushers,” which are all different styles, low ABV and easy to drink.
Keeping in line with the measured growth it displayed last year, Voodoo Brewing Co. has set a growth target of 15 to 20 new brewpub openings this year.
“Given the current team we have, we plan to maintain a reasonable growth trajectory this year, too,” Hass said. “This will allow us to continue directing the majority of our energy to our existing pubs, prioritizing quality over quantity and nurturing the support and connection that makes craft beer more than just beer.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco.
Voodoo Brewing Co.
SPONSORED
The brewpub franchise focused on sustainable expansion, operational excellence and community-driven success to maintain a healthy system leading into 2025.
Voodoo Brewing Co., the 20-unit brewpub franchise, maintained steady expansion throughout 2024, averaging over one opening per month to end the year with 15 new pubs. The company strategically focused on strengthening operations at existing locations while carefully managing new growth to maintain a healthy system that can support steady growth in the coming years.
“A big focus of ours last year was to slow down a little bit on growth and put more effort into the pubs that are currently open or in active development and opening soon,” said Matt Hass, director of marketing at Voodoo Franchise Group. “Florida is proving to be one of our biggest markets. We cemented our footprint there, which is really cool because we have a lot more Florida locations coming."
Beyond Florida, Voodoo Brewing Co. entered several first-time markets, including Virginia, Georgia and Meridian, Idaho, while also deepening its presence in existing territories like Texas, Ohio and South Carolina. The brand also continued to strengthen its position in core markets, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Carolinas.
In the realm of product development, 2024 marked a significant milestone with the enhanced distribution of the prestigious Barrel Room Collection (BRC) to franchise locations.
“We’ve been aging these beers for 24 to 44 months and some as long as 50 months,” said Tom Guzick, chief marketing officer of Voodoo Brewing Company & Digital Field Marketing & Brand Standards Manager of Voodoo Franchise Group. “It’s spending a lot of time in different bourbon barrels, and limited access to those barrels makes it difficult to distribute the BRC in bulk. It’s such a regimented process, but opening up access to the BRC for franchisees has been really exciting.”
The food service segment saw remarkable growth throughout 2024, with many locations reporting food sales outpacing beverage sales.
"When we started this whole thing about six years ago, the liquid was what everybody was ordering," Hass said. "But, slowly but surely, the food is starting to catch up to the beer in terms of overall sales percentage. And, in a lot of cases, we sell more food in our tap rooms than we do beer."
To keep up with the varied and growing demand from guests, Voodoo Brewing Co. will continue to evolve its menus through 2025, creating an even more unique and localized experience at each brewpub.
Voodoo's unique approach to franchising continued to set it apart in the industry throughout 2024.
"We have a saying that we plaster almost everywhere: 'Craft beer without community is just beer,'" Hass said. “This philosophy is reflected in how each location operates.”
"We may be a national brand, but the pubs are locally owned by people who live in and love their communities,” Guzick said. “Our franchise owners are deeply connected to their neighborhoods, creating a true hometown experience in every location."
Each location has its own identity while maintaining brand consistency. Each location gets its own icon, and owners have the opportunity to customize 25% of the food menu and bring in local guest taps. Still, with the franchise model, owners continue to receive guidance from the corporate team, ensuring they’re set up for success.
Looking Forward to 2025
As Voodoo Brewing Co. moves into 2025, several exciting initiatives are on the horizon. The beer program will expand with new core offerings, including what Guzick describes as "a whole new series of beers called Crick Crushers,” which are all different styles, low ABV and easy to drink.
Keeping in line with the measured growth it displayed last year, Voodoo Brewing Co. has set a growth target of 15 to 20 new brewpub openings this year.
“Given the current team we have, we plan to maintain a reasonable growth trajectory this year, too,” Hass said. “This will allow us to continue directing the majority of our energy to our existing pubs, prioritizing quality over quantity and nurturing the support and connection that makes craft beer more than just beer.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/voodoobrewingco.
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