Craft Beer Enthusiast and Design Engineer Enters World of Franchising with Voodoo Brewing

After 30 years of working in the electronic design and manufacturing industry, Bob Skepnek decided it was time for a new adventure. In searching for entrepreneurial opportunities, he came across Voodoo Brewing and was immediately impressed by the brand’s infrastructure, business model and franchisee support. All of that, and of course, great beer.

“The whole idea of pub food that’s more elevated with a little twist on it, served alongside great beer and in a great atmosphere, made Voodoo the perfect fit for me,” he said. 

He looks forward to welcoming the members of his community in St. Petersburg, Florida, catering to the interests of everyone and looks forward to making his location unique, while still offering the beloved vibe of Voodoo.

“My goal is to serve great beer, great food and provide a great space,” he said. “My chef has a background in fine dining, so we will introduce some things you might not expect at a pub. I want this to be a place where people want to hang out. There’s a lot of seating, there’s a game room and music. There’s something for everyone.”

1851 Franchise spoke with Skepnek about his journey into franchising and his plans for the future.  

FEATURE 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?

Skepnek: I spent almost a lifetime at my previous company; I started with them right out of college. I was in the electronic design and manufacturing industry. I became a design engineer and I spent about 30 years there, and soon became engineering manager pretty early in my career, and then general manager later on. It was a great experience, but as with a lot of good things, the time came for me to move on.

I left my company and, right around that same time, my wife got a job offer in Florida, so we decided to make the move from Chicago.

I was researching different business opportunities and considering my next move when I came across Voodoo. I've been a craft beer enthusiast for a long time. I've been brewing my own beer since the 80s and I've often considered opening up my own where I do it all myself, but there are some pretty substantial barriers to entry, even though brewing is enjoyable. 

There's a lot of infrastructure in place in partnering with Voodoo, which allowed me to enter the industry quickly. The whole idea of pub food that’s more elevated with a little twist on it, served alongside great beer and in a great atmosphere, made Voodoo the perfect fit for me.

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?

Skepnek: There’s a lot to be said for being part of a larger organization. Small business owners, I imagine, feel like they’re out on an island. With a franchise like Voodoo, you receive support and there is always someone there to help you solve any problems you encounter.

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

Skepnek: I love the beer, the atmosphere and the vibe. They market themselves as a sort of “unfranchised franchise.” It is not as rigid as other concepts; it’s more of a cooperative collaboration. The products, services, food and beer are all great. That, partnered with more flexibility to create my own space, is ideal. 

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

Skepnek: My goal is to serve great beer, great food and provide a great space. My chef has a background in fine dining, so we will introduce some things you might not expect at a pub. I want this to be a place where people want to hang out. There’s a lot of seating, there’s a game room and music. There’s something for everyone.

I am currently focused on, and obsessed with, getting this first one off the ground. Eventually, maybe I can take a step back and open another location. 

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

Skepnek: What I’ve taken from my career background is the ability to manage chaos and crisis. I don’t panic when faced with a problem. This is a new industry for me, but I can confidently address challenges as they come. Those who work for me will appreciate this, and my customers hopefully will benefit too.

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

Skepnek: You’ve got to have a strong stomach; you might face a lot of adversity at first and spend a lot of money. You need to accept that, for a while, the money is only going in one direction. It’s a risk, but the rewards can be great. 

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/