After three decades in education, Chrissy and Alex Bergren knew it was time to write their next chapter — one that still focused on connection, passion and community, but with a refreshing twist: cold craft beer.

“My wife, Chrissy, and I are both educators and have done 30-plus years in the school system — I’ve been a teacher, principal, office administrator,” said Alex. “We decided we wanted to start thinking about what we were going to do next, and one of the things we both mutually love is draft beer.”

At first, the Bergrens considered opening a brewery from scratch or buying an existing one. But the realities of brewing beer at scale — combined with their desire to build something community-driven — led them to a different path: franchising with Voodoo Brewing Co.

“We were looking at and almost bought an operating brewery that was for sale,” Alex said. “As we looked around, Voodoo gave us a window and opportunity to enter into the craft beer world without having to know how to brew it. It was a really unique model — sell craft beer, brewed by them but close to home.”

That plug-and-play brewing model is a hallmark of Voodoo Brewing Co.’s “anti-franchise franchise” approach. It allows franchisees to focus on building a destination and a vibe, not managing the production process. That difference was huge for the Bergrens — especially after having owned a more traditional “cookie cutter” franchise in the past.

“I wanted to have more autonomy and flexibility within the brand,” said Alex. “Voodoo offered all of that. I was excited to be able to have a franchise that had a certain vibe and feel and culture, but at the same time gave you the opportunity to be creative and develop it in a way that made sense in the market and community we were a part of.”

The Bergrens opened their Voodoo Brewing Co. in Virginia Beach in January of 2024 — and the local response has been electric.

“I’ve been in Virginia Beach for nearly 40 years now,” said Alex. “We are local people and our connections within the community helped us a lot. The community has been super responsive — people like to support local businesses run by local people. They appreciate our story.”

Located in a city known for its strong tourism and military economy, the Virginia Beach brewpub offers a full menu, live music, and the welcoming, communal atmosphere Voodoo is known for.

“I have always had a love of music — I was a music journalist — so we’ve been able to create a live venue as well,” said Alex. “We love that people come in and spend a long time here. They can enjoy the events and each other’s company. It's become a really nice, vibrant new part of the community.”

Voodoo’s franchising model was also designed to support that local authenticity. Not only do franchisees get to customize elements like menus and branding to reflect their local flavor, but the absence of onsite brewing means owners like the Bergrens can put more energy into running the restaurant, curating events and building customer relationships.

“To be successful in this space, you have to work very hard, be very visible and connect with the community,” said Alex. “People who come into our place know the owners because the owners are always there.”

Fifteen months after opening, the Virginia Beach Voodoo location is outperforming its first year — and Alex and Chrissy aren’t done yet. They’re currently exploring options for a second location nearby, looking to expand their impact without losing the local-first feel that made their business special.

“We do want to open another location, but we value the local aspect of it,” said Alex. “The franchisor has been very responsive and supportive to our goals — I think that's really important.”

And while both Chrissy and Alex are still involved in education — Chrissy as a counselor, Alex as a teacher — they’re pouring just as much heart into the brewpub they’ve built together.

“We feel really good about what we’ve created thus far,” said Alex. “We offer something in the community that is truly unique and that people really like.”

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 store icon, locally inspired menu and consistent local events, allowing Voodoo Brewing Co. franchise partners to become truly immersed in their communities. With over 30 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/.