Voodoo 101: Get your burning questions answered in our new beer franchise overview video!

Still on the fence about spending yet another year at the same corporate job? If you think launching a career with a beer franchise and owning a business that is actually fun sounds too good to be true, you’re definitely going to want to watch this video.

Sit back and let the soothing sound of Voodoo Chairman AND Denver, CO Franchise Owner Brent Dowling’s magical Aussie accent tell you everything you need to know about a beer franchise that can only be described as “one-of-a-kind.” Check it out here:

Just in case you’re stuck in your cubicle and unable to watch videos with sound without the office tattletale snitching on you (thanks a lot, Chad!), here’s a transcript of the video so you don’t miss a single thing (except, sadly, Brent’s accent.)

Hey there! I’m Brent Dowling of Voodoo Brewing Company! Congrats on taking the first step towards earning your craft brewery business.

Let’s start with you, I’m gonna take a guess that you’re reading this today because the monotony of corporate life has worn you down. Maybe you’ve reached a point where you are ready to make a fortune for yourself and not for anyone else. Or, if you’re anything like me, you have some big financial goals but you don’t want to feel like you have to sell your soul to get them. 

You simply want less BS in your career and more fun in your life. That’s what led me and most of our Franchise Owners to Voodoo Brewing Company. In this video, we’re going to provide you with the info you need to understand if you fit the tribe of Franchise Owners that we’re building here.

We’re going to talk about why now is a great time to open a brewpub, how you can make a really solid return on your investment, show you why Voodoo is the best and most fun franchise opportunity available, and also explain how our model makes owning a pub super simple for you. And of course, talk about our award-winning beer. 

Ever since the founding Voodoo crew opened our first location, they knew they were onto something big. It seemed the whole town of Meadville, Pennsylvania had turned out. With a crowd of people literally coming out the doors of this new pub. 

Matteo, our CEO, and Jake, our president, and all the employees and Owners of Voodoo have spent the last 15 years testing and perfecting our products and business model, quietly creating a cult-like following for our beers and food in the background. And now in 2021, we believe it’s finally the perfect time to finally unleash Voodoo across the country. 

I, for one, am buying into the hype and possibilities ahead. I’ve developed over 30 franchise concepts over the last decade including brands like Jamba Juice and Famous Dave’s. And the truth is, Voodoo Brewing is the first brand that I’ve personally invested into as a Franchise Owner.  I’ll share the magic I see in the future of this brand and this model as we continue to go along here. 

But before you can decide whether the Voodoo business model fits into your vision for franchise ownership,  let’s start with some insight into the craft brewing, restaurant, and bar industries, since Voodoo fits into all 3!

People Really Love Craft Beer

It’s not breaking news that people love beer. But do you know how much they love it? The craft beer industry is currently valued at $33.3 billion per year. And is anticipated to grow by around 15% over the next five years. Americans consume more than half of the beer in the entire world. Additionally, the restaurant industry stands to make a major comeback this year. 

While people might be hesitant about buying into the food and beverage industry, the fact is, that the average American is beyond pumped to get out there and be social again. We believe that the entrepreneurs who recognize this now are likely to capitalize on a level of restaurant and bar profitability that’s unlike anything we’ve seen in recent history.

Why Voodoo? 

So by now, you might be thinking, “Okay Brent, it’s an excellent time to open a brewpub. But why Voodoo?” Let me tell you the biggest reason, you’ll earn a world-class brewery without any of the brewing. Brewing is an incredibly complex process. Matteo and our master brewer Kurt have clocked thousands of hours over the last 15 years in the endless pursuit of crafting some of the world’s best liquid. 

As a new Franchise Owner, you’ll avoid all the blood sweat, and tears here. We give you the opportunity to serve world-class brewed by one of the best brewing teams in the country. It’s always been about the liquid for us, our product team puts some insane amount of care into crafting some of the finest beers on the planet. And we’ve got the awards and reputation to prove it.

A Bad-Ass Established Brand

Winning numerous awards, participating in international beer festivals, and a combined 40K followers on Facebook and Instagram has earned Voodoo Brewing a strong brand reputation. We’ve built a following of raving fans who enjoy our beer and food, wear our threads, and spread positive vibes about us everywhere they go. 

In line with keeping everything as simple as possible, you’ll also get to serve ridiculously good food without having to stress over the menu or worry about the expense of wait staff, since everything is ordered at the bar.

A Stellar Pub Menu – Curated for Your Community

Our eclectic pub food is familiar, but it’s also completely different than what everyone else serves. Culinary Director and Executive Chef, Nate, creates and curates the dishes and incorporates Voodoo beer in them whenever possible. He will work with you to determine the best menu for your space and community, and incorporate as many of the local options as possible.

Here’s a few more reasons as to why you’re going to love your new Voodoo beer franchise business:

1 ) You’ll immediately get a brand with global support

Voodoo boasts a cult-like following around the world. While we don’t have any international locations, we are present at the top-tier international beer festivals. This recognition has led us to be considered a top 50 brewery. Which gives our franchise not only bragging rights but also credibility in the industry. 

2 ) The model takes virtually all of the headaches out of owning a pub but leaves all the fun!

Just like a European beer hall, at Voodoo, customers order and pick up food and drinks from a counter. This allows beer Franchise Owners to run a brewpub with a lean staff of around six employees. As we all know, the fewer the employees, the fewer the headaches. And the increased ability for our earners to maximize their ROI. 

3 ) This ain’t no cookie-cutter, soul-crushing franchise. (Quite the opposite actually.) 

For all the consistency and simplicity, one of the best parts of earning a Voodoo Brewing Co. beer franchise is the flexibility to really make it your own. We give you the freedom, and encouragement, to incorporate elements of your local community into your space. From decorations to additional craft beer and spirits offerings, to the food that’s served, there’s a chance to take everything you love about your town and incorporate it into your new overall feel. 

4 ) We brew for YOU!

Our resident beer wizards work tirelessly to perfect some of the best-tasting craft beer in the world and ship it to your location. All you do is sell it, and take the credit as the hero who provides the liquid gold to your community.

Our Costs are ¼ of our Closest Competitor 

A lot of folks who apply to Voodoo make one mistake: they overestimate the cost to open their own voodoo brewing company franchise. Many folks assume that owning a world-class pub may cost over a million dollars or more. 

But they’re wrong. We’re able to keep investment costs far more affordable than this. 

In fact, one of our newest owners in Pennsylvania converted an old bar and opened up their Voodoo brewpub location for a total investment of around $150K, all in. Our investment is a quarter of the cost of our closest competitors. Here’s the investment range: $293,750 – $671,500. 

The total investment includes various real estate and construction costs, including permits, liquor licensing, fixtures, signage, furniture, kitchen equipment, the list goes on, training expenses, advertising, marketing expenses, technology equipment, software, initial food and beverage inventory, and a whole list of other things that come with opening your brewpub. 

As you go through the Discovery Process, you’ll see how our business model leads to lower overhead and quicker returns than the competition.

Supportive AF 

One of the best things about earning a voodoo franchise is the level of support you’ll receive from Matt, Jake, Taco Cat, and the rest of the support squad here at Voodoo. Once you’re in our tribe, you’re one of us, we’ll take care of you like family from day one. 

Here’s what you can expect from your support team as a Voodoo Brewing Franchise Owner:

• Training: You’ll get 6.5 hours of classroom training and 60 hours of on-the-job practice to prepare you for opening the doors of your own brewpub.
• Real Estate and Construction: We know what type of location works and how to get it built as affordably as possible. We’ll be there with you every step of the way.
• Menu Creation Support: Nate will help you build an easy-to-execute mouth-watering localized menu and help keep things cranking in the kitchen
• Marketing Support: We’ll provide creative marketing support like pub events to drive revenue and generate serious buzz.

Curt (the Mad Scientist Brewer)

Curt is one of the top master brewers of the world. Curt is behind the scenes working his mad scientist magic with his team to brew your beer and deliver it to you every week.

One of Us! One of Us!

It’s important to note that we don’t award franchises to just anyone. We’re looking for a special connection and a magical spark that shows us that something amazing is about to happen. 

Here’s some characteristics you should have as a candidate for Voodoo Franchise Owner: 

• You should be a craft beer lover
• You should be community-minded and ready to be the new hero in your hometown
• You should be someone who works hard but also knows how to have some fun
• You should not be a **** (you can guess what we mean here)

Does This Sound Like You? Want to Learn More?

Now if you think you fit this description, you might just be Voodoo Franchise Owner material! So if you think you might match our culture, I invite you to complete a brief 5-minute questionnaire so we can learn a bit more about each other and start to see if you qualify to earn a Voodoo brewing franchise.

 There’s no cost and no obligation for either of us. Just a quick way to help us both to understand if the partnership makes sense at this initial stage. 

Keep in mind that we do have some financial requirements for our prospective owners. We ask that our candidates come to us with a minimum of 150k in liquid capital and a minimum net worth of 350,000. In order to qualify to begin our process. 

Once you complete the questionnaire and get approved as a qualified applicant to start on our Discovery Process…well, that’s when the real fun begins! 

We will start sending you a bunch of franchise information that’s not made publicly available including our Franchise Disclosure Document, the opportunity to speak with our franchise owners about how their businesses are performing, and potentially an invitation to visit us at our Voodoo Brewing Company HQ in Meadville, Pennsylvania for a Discovery Day. 

Good luck filling out that questionnaire, I hope you qualify. I hope to sit down and share a beer with you soon. Cheers!

Dave and Kim Simons are Living the Dream as Voodoo Franchise Owners…and So Can YOU!

Meet Dave and Kim Simons, two of Voodoo’s newest Franchise Owners! They are living their best life and doing what they love… and so can you!

Are you thinking to yourself, “but I don’t have any restaurant industry experience”? With Voodoo, you don’t need to have prior restaurant or business ownership experience because we take all of the heavy lifting out of operating your own successful brewpub. We keep our operations as simple as possible while brewing all of the product for you! What could be better than that?

But don’t just take our word for it. Take a look at Dave and Kim, whose Voodoo brewpub is scheduled to open its doors in Fountain Inn, South Carolina in early 2022. They are looking forward to spending more time together with the family, making great profits, and having fun doing it!

No Restaurant Experience? No Problem!

Dave Simons spent 30 years of his career working with insurance and financial services sales in a leadership position while Kim became a stay-at-home mom to their three children after having a successful career in psychology. While Dave has enjoyed his corporate position throughout the years, the couple felt like it was time for a change and wanted to do something together.

Did Dave and Kim feel that a lack of restaurant industry experience might slow them down coming into this franchise opportunity? Heck no!

In fact, Dave’s leadership experience in the finance realm helped them realize that Voodoo’s franchise opportunity was the best way for the family to own their own business with little upfront investment… and a huge opportunity to return that investment more quickly.

Dave’s advice to new Franchise Owners is this:

“Find a professional team that specializes in franchises to help you through the process.” 

They’re absolutely right- we are laser-focused on making sure our Franchise Owners feel like the whole Voodoo tribe is behind them in all they do. Our unique business model provides Franchise Owners with all the support they need from day one, including a 30,000 square foot taproom cranking out some of the world’s best beer. Our Master Brewer and his team spend each day putting their blood, sweat, and tears into every Voodoo craft brew they create (not literally..that’s gross.) All our Franchise Owners have to do is sell it in a fun, laid-back brewpub that inspires conversation and gathering. Not a bad deal, right?

If owning your own business has always been a lifetime dream of yours like it was for Dave and Kim, having a strong team to help guide you along the way in terms of real estate, legalities, and contracts, not to mention the creation and distribution of the product you’re selling, will save you tons of time and money in the long run. After all, we only have one life to live- might as well maximize our experience!

Right Motivation + Right Time = Beer Franchise Success

When we asked Dave what the inspiration and motivation for becoming a Voodoo Brewing Co. Franchise Owner, he said that it was Kim who steered them in this direction, and they are very excited about their newest partnership. Being able to spend time together while having fun was high on the priority list, and with Voodoo Brewing Co., they were able to make it happen!

Dave and Kim have some pretty amazing insight about the restaurant industry and the current environment of the market in a post-pandemic world. Here’s what he says is his secret weapon for future success:

“I believe it’s the right time and economic environment combined with the right business model and team for tremendous growth potential. Throw in hard work and passion and the stage is set for success.”

While some may be wary about opening a new restaurant or brewpub due to ongoing concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we totally get it. However, it’s actually the perfect time to open up a franchise brewpub with an already established brand that has a cult-like following, like Voodoo! As the fallout from Omicron begins to settle down and the world is able to return to a closer version of what we remember from life before the pandemic, hitting a favorite restaurant or pub with their long-lost crew is at the top of most people’s to-do lists!

Also, this is the perfect time to pick up “turn-key” real estate that is already set up for your ideal brewpub. If you can find a recently closed restaurant or bar in your area you may be able to get furniture and other necessary items at a discount- not to mention prime real estate in a happening area, for a whole lot less than it would have cost in 2019.

We already have a globally recognized brand with a combined social media tally of over 45,000 followers. We’ve spent the last decade promoting our beer by attending national and international beer festivals, and we’ve actually won quite a few awards for our delicious liquid. We put a ton of care into brewing our product and it shows with the accolades we’ve received. Check out the full list here.

Why Dave and Kim Chose Voodoo

Our franchise is not only a quarter of the cost of the initial investment of our competitors, but we stand behind our product 100%. Dave said it best when asked why he chose Voodoo over other franchise opportunities:

“They have great people and really great products they are producing. Kim and I are very excited by the opportunity to be part of the Voodoo team.” 

Dave’s right, we are a team. And we treat each one of our Franchise Owners like family. Dave also said that another reason he chose Voodoo was because of our simplified business model. We take the guesswork and complications out of owning a brewpub, mainly with our European beer-hall style of service and lean staff requirements. 

All products are ordered and picked up from a counter which leaves the rest of your staff available to interact with guests and efficiently serve beer and other drinks to the patrons. This allows you to operate with an efficient and tight-knit staff, removing many of the complications of “normal” restaurant service. Compared with traditional sit-down restaurants that are currently struggling with staffing shortages, our simple operations are tailor-made to save Franchise Owners all kinds of headaches down the road. In fact, many business owners are transitioning to this simplified model of service and seeing huge success- we’re thinking maybe we started a trend!

As they made their way through our Franchise Discovery Process, Dave and Kim were invited to our Voodoo HQ in Meadville, PA for their Approval Day, where they got a chance to meet some of our other Voodoo Franchise Owners and talk with our Founder, our CEO, and the rest of the support team.

“ It was great getting to meet the team and see how they work together as a family. We also enjoyed getting the opportunity to try all the beer and food.”

At Voodoo, we are all about having fun! Seriously, it’s literally written into our ethos and mission statements. We want you to feel good about starting your journey with Voodoo Brewing Co. and we love inviting our Franchise Owners to all sit around the same table and share a beer together.

We want you to have the opportunity to love our product as much as we do- that’s why we encourage you to drink Voodoo beer (as if you’ll need much encouragement there) and think outside the box when it comes to decorating your unique Voodoo brewpub space with local flair. Creating your space to your personal touch and with homage to local culture is not only allowed but encouraged (!!) at Voodoo. So, if you’re more into those cookie-cutter pub chains that look identical in every city, right down to their hokey knickknacks, you’re in the wrong place.

We say this very enthusiastically because we mean it! Giving props to your local community is high on our priority list and we want your location to feel like the only Voodoo brewpub in the world, not just one of many clones.

Want to Be Like Dave and Kim?

(Of Course You Do! They’re Awesome)

Does this sound like a dream come true? This could happen for you too! Dave and Kim are getting to spend more time together, along with their badass dog, while making people happy by serving great craft brews and food. They are truly embodying the phrase, “living your best life” and we couldn’t be happier for them!

Does this pique your interest? Have you always dreamed of owning your own brewpub, but you don’t want to start completely from scratch? If you want to be a part of a team behind making the world’s greatest craft brews (without actually brewing a single batch yourself), this could be your chance! 

We don’t pick just anybody, though. We’re in this for more than the money- it’s important to us that everyone on our team has the same mindset of serving great brews, having tons of fun, and not being a ******. 

If this sounds like the time of your life and a team you can’t wait to be a part of, get more information about Voodoo Brewing Franchise Opportunities here!

It’s the Summer of Voodoo: Why We’re Looking Forward to Patio Season

We used to think there was nothing better than kicking back with an ice-cold beer on an amazing patio of our favorite pub franchise. Turns out there is something better- enjoying a beer at our favorite pub franchise with friends and family we haven’t gotten to see all year long! 

We’re gearing up for the Summer of Voodoo. Patio season is OUR season- and, if you’ve got what it takes to become a member of our tight-knit pub franchise crew,  it can be yours too! 

We’re BACK, Baby!

Consider how great summer patio season can be for boosting neighborhood morale and having a fun place to hang out during the evenings and weekends. Especially now, when it’s finally getting back to “normal” again. Imagine being the hero who provides your community with the ultimate summer gathering place, in a year when gathering has never been more important. For our Franchise Owners, this is their reality!

Being a Franchise Owner with Voodoo Brewing Co. not only sets you up for great times as a proprietor of a popular brewpub. It also gives you excellent potential for profitability. 

Fun fact: we have a lower ROI percentage than any of our competitors’  pub franchise opportunities.** How do we do it? By keeping operations simple and reducing the need for more staff than is necessary, which lowers your operational overhead significantly. 

We are all about inclusivity at Voodoo and we love bringing on new members of the tribe. Each time we award a new pub franchise, another passionate beer lover gets to become a business owner – without ever having to brew their own beer. We provide everything you need to get started with your own Voodoo brewpub, including chef-inspired menu items, localized merchandise, and of course – award-winning beer delivered straight to you! 

Here at Voodoo Brewing Co., we cannot wait for summer patio season and letting the good times roll once again. It sure feels good to be back – this summer is going to be OUR summer. Without further ado…

Here are 6 Reasons we are Stoked for the Summer of Voodoo (and Why Patio Season ROCKS at Voodoo Brewing Co.):

#1: People are SUPER excited to be able to get out of the house after a year-plus in quarantine

Maybe you’ve felt the itch too, or noticed it now that things are opening back up to full capacity: people are dining out! And beer gardens and patios are no exception, after a year plus in quarantine, people are ready to get back out there and have some fun. The summer of patio season is here and in full swing, my friends. Now that restrictions are lightened in many states and COVID-19 cases are lowering, people are flocking to outdoor patios and places to dine and drink outdoors! This is the perfect time to capitalize on an industry that is continuing to grow rapidly. 

Voodoo Brewing Co. pub franchise locations are the perfect place to have that long-awaited reunion with the crew, since we also offer excellent food and non-alcoholic options so everyone can enjoy! For Franchise Owners, this helps increase ticket prices while keeping people happy for a longer period of time. Patios are excellent for large groups because everyone can feel comfortable while taking up as much space as they need to. Happy hour is about to get a whole lot happier in communities with a Voodoo brewpub!

#2: Patio = Social Distancing

Although things are (mostly) getting back to the way they were in the Before Times, after an entire year of social distancing and restrictions, people are pretty conditioned to this new way of life. It’s instinctual now that people will want to keep their distance from others, and patios are a great way to social distance!

And we’ll keep our fingers crossed, but if we were to go into strict dining restrictions again, you’ll be glad you own a pub franchise with outdoor seating. Patio and outdoor seating helped keep many Voodoo pub franchise locations afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdowns. Several of our locations were able to pivot to socially distant trivia nights, stand-up comedy shows, and even live music on their patios- a tradition that is continuing throughout Summer 2021 and beyond.

Patios are an excellent way to keep your customers spread out, socially distanced, and feeling comfortable as we navigate these very uncertain post-pandemic times. Many people, vaccinated or not, may still feel uncomfortable being close together in smaller, indoor spaces. Give your guests the option of a patio and notice how your profits soar because your customers are comfortable and enjoy your space.

#3: Lots of Second-Generation Real Estate Available

Sadly, many restaurants and bars were forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic due to extended quarantines and dining restrictions. However, this gives you a chance to maximize your opportunity to find an affordable and perfectly designed second-generation real estate to start your Voodoo pub franchise. This helps increase your profits and your ROI within the first few years when you’re able to find cost-effective real estate. 

While we don’t love profiting off of others’ misfortune, we see this as an opportunity to revamp and revive neighborhood hot spots in your community – with a business model that works! Serving high-quality craft beer, as well as fresh and delicious foods, is our top priority. 

If you know of some restaurants or bars in your area with excellent patio space that recently shut down, this may be your sign to open your own Voodoo brewpub in that location! Keep the vibe alive before it gets bought out and torn down by a corporate entity that wants to turn it into something boring like coworking office spaces or apartments.

#4: Our Beer is the Perfect Thirst Quencher on Hot Summer Days

Voodoo craft beer is literally made to be the perfect thirst quencher when the temperature starts rising We have many varieties such as our seltzers, blonde or brown ales, and pilsners. And that’s not even scratching the surface of what we offer at our various Voodoo pub franchise locations. Our award-winning catalog of world-class brews and more can be yours when you become a Franchise Owner. 

We’re constantly concocting new flavor combinations and innovative blends in our 30,000 square-foot taproom back in Meadville, PA. The variety of beer at our pub franchise locations is top-notch, making it ideal for even the toughest craft beer connoisseur to relax with an ice-cold Voodoo brew on a gorgeous sunny day. 

Don’t just take our word for it, check out our available beer list here. (Disclaimer: you may drool on yourself after reading. We just did. Sorry for oversharing.)

#5: It’s More Than Just Great Beer…It’s ART

Here at Voodoo Brewing Co., we don’t just allow our Franchise Owners to add their own style and flair- we encourage it! One of our locally-commissioned muralists just finished an amazing mural at our Homestead, PA location, and people are talking. 

We commissioned local Pittsburgh artist and urban beautifier Jeremy Raymer to create his chosen “hometown hero” piece. He chose baseball legend Josh Gibson, known as one of the greatest power hitters of all time. He played during the 1930s for the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords. Although at the time, Gibson was only allowed to play for the Negro Leagues, he’s recently been recognized for holding the record for the highest single-season batting average of .441.  

We encourage all of our locations to celebrate their hometown legacies and culture by decking out their patios and interior with plenty of local decor and pride. Even our merchandise is created specifically for each of our locations, so you can show off your hometown swag and create lifelong fans. 

As a Franchise Owner, you can show off your hometown pride by making your Voodoo pub franchise your own! We love to show off local flair and pride ourselves on having locations that look different, while all keeping the Voodoo Brewing Ethos alive: serve great beer, have fun, and make profits!

#6: Did We Mention Our Award-Winning Craft Beer?

For over a decade, our brew master Curt Rachocki has experimented with different flavor combinations and perfected his formula for crafting the ultimate beer. It shows with the awards we’ve won and clout we’ve earned over the years. People truly love our beer, you might even call it a “cult following”. You’ll see what we mean when you become a Franchise Owner yourself, people will know your beer the moment you start serving it and they will be excited. 

We’ve won several awards for our beer including the world-renowned ManBeerPig (which we’ve DQed for now, we’re on to new horizons) and keep pushing the boundaries to create the world’s greatest beer. We have no plans of stopping any time soon and you get to reap the benefits of years of expertise on your side! 

Let us do what we do best: creating the beer. And you do what you do best: serving your community and interacting with your guests. We’ve narrowed down our operations to keep things simple, and if you have the characteristics of a successful franchise bar owner, this opportunity was made for you!

Here are some of the awards we’ve won for Voodoo Brewing Craft Beer: 

• Best Local Brewery
• Best Locally Made Beer
• Best Stout in Pennsylvania
• Runner Up for Best Beer in Pittsburgh
• Best Winter Beer 2015
• Product of the Year
• Winslow Award
• Best Food Truck
• Top Beers of the Year
• Thrillist Awards (Best New Brewery)
• Great American Beer Festival Best Beer of the Week
• Best Brunch
• Best Brewery
• Best Locally Made Beer
• Best Burger
• 50 Best IPAS in the Country

This is OUR summer and we’re here to reclaim summer nights, patio beers, and to enjoy making new memories with the people who matter most in our lives. Why not be the one to bring those great times to your community? Patio real estate is popping up all over and there are now innovative ways to make patio space due to COVID-19 pandemic changes.

These patios provide social distancing space as well as open-air areas for your customers to interact and mingle in a post-pandemic environment. Everyone is looking to get back out there, meet new people, and enjoy being social once again! 

There are many reasons to consider owning your own Voodoo Brewing Franchise, and while you’re going to have tons of fun creating a community space for the fellow beer lovers in your community – we also offer the lowest investments and the highest return in comparison to other brewing franchises.** 

If you are someone who has always envisioned themselves as a business owner, is passionate about excellent craft beer, and like fast-paced and efficient operations, owning a Voodoo Brewing Co. may be the future career move for you! We keep operations simple and to the point: we employ European Beer Hall style of service in which customers order from a counter and pick up their food. This allows you to scale down your employees and keep overhead low. 

If any (or all) of these reasons sound great to you and you are itching to get started as a Voodoo pub Franchise Owner, please visit our franchise website for more information.

**Numbers obtained from our 2021 FDD

Painting the Town: The Story Behind Voodoo’s Brewpub Murals

Here at Voodoo Brewing Co., we celebrate diversity and encourage our pub franchise locations to show off their individual style while paying tribute to their local flavor. One of the ways we do this is by commissioning local artists to paint a one-of-a-kind mural on the wall at each Voodoo brewpub we open. 

Our Homestead, PA location is the latest Voodoo brewpub to unveil its unique, locally-inspired artwork: a mural of local baseball legend Josh Gibson. The artist, Jeremy Raymer, recently completed this mural in May 2021 and is also a member of the local community. The finished work of art has been spotlighted on local TV news outlet WTAE-Pittsburgh, along with feature articles in local publications. 

Voodoo is all about building up the local communities where our brewpubs are located. We want to bring our award-winning craft beer and mesh with the local style and flavor of your cities and hometowns. We aren’t into the corporate, cookie-cutter, ancient practices of franchises past – we want to see your individual and local pride shine through your store!

Voodoo’s Ethos

At Voodoo, we pride ourselves in our individualism and want our Franchise Owners to feel like their store is their own, not just some out-of-the-box pub franchise like everywhere else. We not only allow but encourage our Franchise Owners to give their locations lots of local flair and pay tribute to their cities. We provide the blueprint and the framework and let you do the rest! 

For each of our pub franchise locations, we fund original murals by local artists that showcase the city’s heritage and culture. We love celebrating our Franchise Owners’ individual style and flair while supporting the local art communities. Each pub is versatile – they all look different from each other and feature local art inside and out. The Homestead location, for example, has both the outer mural of Josh Gibson and a variety of local art inside that pays tribute to other historical figures of the city.

Reclaiming Old Neighborhood Spots

You don’t have to start from scratch with a Voodoo Brewing Co. pub franchise- we love reclaiming restaurants or bars that are for sale in the area. Second-generation real estate is the name of our game! We can help reinvent favorite neighborhood joints with our world-renowned and award-winning craft beer. If you know of a nearby restaurant or bar that is up for sale – that is the ideal location for an up-and-coming Voodoo Brewing Co. pub franchise. We thrive best in urban and industrial areas where there is a lot of foot traffic. 

Reclaiming an existing bar or restaurant greatly reduces overhead costs, gives each location its own personality, and fits in with the local architecture. We strive to keep it simple – so you can keep the profits. We enjoy reusing and reclaiming existing local architecture and just adding some Voodoo flavor to existing historic buildings in the city.

Pittsburgh’s Homage to Local Heroes

We recently commissioned local artist Jeremy Raymer to create a mural at our Pittsburgh Voodoo Brewing location that celebrates the local flavor of the city. He chose local baseball legend, Josh Gibson, because he wanted to beautify the community while inspiring others to research Gibson as well as other historical figures. Gibson is known as one of the best power hitters of all time and played for the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords.

The building that houses Voodoo-Homestead has its own history as well. The labor activist known as “Mother Jones” spent time in a jail cell inside of the building. A secret door leads to a room with more of Raymer’s artwork, including a mural of Mother Jones herself. The Josh Gibson mural can be seen from the Homestead Grays Bridge.

About Josh Gibson 

Joshua Gibson (1911 – 1947) was an American baseball catcher who primarily played for the Negro Leagues and had great success in leading his team to the World Series. He’s known as one of the greatest power hitters of all time and was the second Negro League player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 

He played for the Homestead Grays from 1931-32, then for the Pittsburgh Crawfords from 1932-36, and then returned to the Grays for a second stint. He also played for the Mexican League and became a manager for the Santurce Crabbers, a Puerto Rican baseball team. He’s known as the “black Babe Ruth,” though some called Babe Ruth “ the white Josh Gibson.”

Recently the MLB announced that it will recognize Negro League Records for the all-time baseball major league records, which earns Gibson the record for his single-season batting average of .441 – as of December 2020. His Hall of Fame plaque says that he “hit almost 800 home runs … during his 17-year career”. Josh Gibson was a proud member of the Pittsburgh Community and is a historical figure to inspire those who view it that anything is possible.

About Jeremy Raymer 

Jeremy Raymer quit his job as an engineer to pursue art because he wants to beautify his city one mural at a time. Raymer has already painted on over 100,000 square feet of public space in Pittsburgh, and says he has “no plans of stopping”. 

He’s recognized as a pillar in the community who is improving his city with his art and inspiring a younger generation of artists in the city. This is one of Raymer’s most ambitious projects to date using intricate colors and adding 3D elements to the building to make the baseball cap stand out. 

Raymer says, “This is what I live for, when I got that can in my hand and I get to paint a piece this large, I feel like Superman. I feel like a superhero to an extent and it’s a great opportunity to be able to be out here and create a piece this large for Pittsburghers and beyond to enjoy.” (WTAE)

Bringing Local Art to the Community 

We know that having art in the local communities can move mountains and inspire others to pursue their creative dreams. That’s why we’ve partnered with local artists in each of our Voodoo pub franchise locations to promote and celebrate the local culture of the cities. Preserving local heritage is a major part of our ethos and company culture. 

People who live in the neighboring communities of the Josh Gibson mural have praised Rayner for bringing some much-needed inspiration and beauty to their city. These murals are more than an urban masterpiece, they are a staple for the people in those communities who commute and walk by these pieces every day. It’s a symbol of strength and hope for the neighboring communities and the people who live there. 

We want each location to spotlight local art inside and outside of the building. We love using historical locations that tell a story so that we can continue to preserve and celebrate that memory. We don’t want to take away from the community vibe, we just want to add amazing award-winning beer to the local offerings.

Why Own a Voodoo Pub Franchise?

Voodoo Brewing Co. offers the most simple, yet successful operations possible. Besides, why overcomplicate things? We’re selling beer to people who want to have a good time and hang out in a comfortable atmosphere. And we do it with style! 

Voodoo offers the lowest minimum investment and the highest percentage of sales-to-investment ratio in comparison to our competitors. We keep it simple and operate in the most efficient manner possible, 

We don’t just sell beer and alcohol, either- unlike other pub franchise competitors who seem to include mediocre food on their menu as an afterthought, our chef-inspired menu items are as popular as our brews. There are multiple revenue streams for Franchise Owners to enjoy: approximately 60-70% of our sales come from alcohol (and that’s including top-notch cocktails and other liquor/wine sales in addition to our craft beer), 25-35% are in food sales, and 3-5% merchandise sales. The average ticket price is around $27-30 which averages 2 beers and a meal.

Take the Guesswork Out of Owning Your Own Pub

We take the heavy lifting and major expense out of owning a brewery: brewing and storing the product at our 30,000 square foot taproom at our Meadville, PA headquarters. When you’re a Voodoo pub Franchise Owner, you’ll get award-winning beer delivered straight to you and ready for customers’ consumption. 

Without having to worry about the fine-tuning that comes with brewing your own beer, you can still enjoy all of the perks of a craft brewpub with Voodoo. This gives you time to focus on more important aspects of operations and maximizing your ROI. We take the headaches out of owning a brewery for you! 

This also gives you a chance to focus on your decor and make your Voodoo brewpub your own! We highly encourage each of our Franchise Owners to put their own style into creating their space and paying tribute to the local heroes in their communities. We also offer customized Voodoo merchandise that’s specialized to your location to really bring in those fans who just can’t get enough of your store!

Serve Award-Winning Beer 

We call our Brew Master, Curt Rachocki, the “mad scientist” for a reason! For over a decade, he’s crafted some insanely unique and flavorful beer combinations and doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. His experience and expertise give Voodoo Brewing an edge that other pub franchise bars don’t have – an award-winning, masterfully crafted product. 

Not to brag or anything, but we’ve won a crazy amount of awards. 

Our Most Notable Awards:

• Best Local Brewery
• Best Locally Made Beer
• Best Stout in Pennsylvania
• Runner Up for Best Beer in Pittsburgh
• Best Winter Beer 2015
• Product of the Year
• Winslow Award
• Best Food Truck
• Top Beers of the Year
• Thrillist Awards (Best New Brewery)
• Great American Beer Festival Best Beer of the Week
• Best Brunch
• Best Brewery
• Best Locally Made Beer
• Best Burger
• 50 Best IPAS in the Country

A Pub Franchise With Built-In Street Cred

We come with a national following and cult-like fans of our beer. We have a combined 40K followers across our social media channels and consistently interact with our customer base. You’ll already be ahead of the competitors by jumping on board with an established brand – with a pretty kick-ass marketing team. 

When you’re a part of the Voodoo pub franchise community, you’ll be a part of an award-winning brand with a cult-like following. What can we say? People love our beer and vibe. We keep our operations simple and run with a tight-knit staff. We pride ourselves on maintaining an atmosphere of fun and comfort, people love going to our locations because it feels like home. 

Ready to Make Your Dreams Come True?

If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own bar or restaurant but didn’t quite have the insane amount of capital it takes to start from scratch, or you just needed a little bit more support – Voodoo franchising is the opportunity for you! What are you waiting for? Stop putting your dreams on the back burner and take a chance on yourself. 

We’re here to answer any questions you may have and can walk you through the entire process to begin your journey as a Voodoo Brewing Franchise Owner. Where you can make amazing profits, showcase your local style, and have a ton of fun doing it! Visit our pub franchise website for more information.

Raising the Bar: Choosing a Bar Franchise That Stands Out in Your Community

Are you considering purchasing your own bar, but held back by how overwhelmingly expensive it can be to start your own independent brewery? Do you love beer and want to make people happy by providing it for them, but don’t know how to brew your own? Are you interested in the idea of being a part of an award-winning company that makes an amazing product? Do you want to have fun and make money doing it?

If you answered yes to these questions – Voodoo has the opportunity of a lifetime for you! Becoming a part of the Voodoo bar franchise community means you’ll have all of the resources of an award-winning craft brewery without ever having to brew your own beer! 

We make owning a bar franchise easy and fun with our streamlined process. With scaled operations, a tight-knit crew, and a product that practically sells itself, you’ll be shocked at how easy it is to make serious profits with Voodoo Brewing Co. Franchise Opportunities.

Here are 7 reasons why Voodoo Brewing is THE bar franchise opportunity you’ll want to be a part of: 

#1 You get to have your own brewery – without brewing any of the beer!

We call our Brew Master Curt Rachocki the “mad scientist” for a reason! For over a decade, he’s crafted some insanely unique and flavorful beer combinations and doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. His experience and expertise give Voodoo an edge that other franchise bars don’t have – an award-winning, masterfully crafted product. 

We take the heavy lifting and major expense out of owning a brewery: brewing and storing the product. When you’re a Voodoo bar Franchise Owner, you’ll get award-winning beer delivered straight to you and ready for customers’ consumption. 

Without having to worry about the fine-tuning that comes with brewing your own beer, you can still enjoy all of the perks of a taproom with Voodoo. This gives you time to focus on more important aspects of operations and maximizing your ROI. We take the headaches out of owning a brewery for you!

#2 We keep operations simple.

We’ve modeled our pub operations after European Beer Halls, which means customers order and pick up their food and drinks from a counter. This allows you to operate with a smaller number of staff (around 6 people). As you can imagine, the fewer staff you have, the fewer issues to worry about. Not quite convinced?

Let’s put it this way: fewer employees = less overhead = higher ROI. When we developed our Franchise Opportunities business model, we wanted to strip down all of the unnecessary headaches and bring fun back into the taproom. 

This is why Voodoo offers the most simple, yet successful operations possible. Besides, why overcomplicate things? We’re selling beer to people who want to have a good time and hang out in a comfortable atmosphere. And we do it with style!

#3 Low franchise investment = maximum ROI

The initial investment to start your own Voodoo bar franchise is lower than that of our competitors. This is because we keep it simple and operate in the most efficient manner possible. The average gross sales of a Voodoo Brewing Franchise are around $586,202*, and the average gross sales of our top location? $1,143,971*. The sky’s the limit, my friends, and the possibilities are endless!

We allow our Franchise Owners to create true financial freedom for themselves and their families without being upside down in debt. Our sales-to-investment percentage is 115%, which means that you can make all of your money back and see profits quicker than other bar franchise concepts. While we all do this because we love craft beer, it’s nice to make some profits while owning the business of your dreams – am I right?! 

#4 Beer isn’t the only thing on the menu. 

While Voodoo does offer the greatest beer on the planet at a perfect temperature in frosty mugs, there are so many other ways to make money from your Voodoo bar franchise. 

Our sales breakdown is as follows: 60-70% of our sales come from alcohol (and that’s including top-notch cocktails and other liquor/wine sales), 25-35% are in food sales, and 3-5% merchandise sales. The average ticket price is around $27-30 which averages 2 beers and a meal. 

People have options to purchase food, drinks, and, if they love your brewery, they’ll also deck themselves out in official Voodoo merch! There are several different revenue streams to reach your profit goals and numbers, and there are so many marketing opportunities to lift these sales off the ground! We also serve non-alcoholic drinks such as nitro coffee and nitro tea, and all of our merchandise is specific to each location, making it much more special than typical, run-of-the-mill chain restaurant gear.

#5 Our food is straight-up delicious. 

I know we brag about our beer a lot, but the food at Voodoo Brewing Co. is something to write home about! How many times have you loved a certain pub but stopped going because their food is just so-so? You won’t have that trouble as a Voodoo bar Franchise Owner. 

All of our menu items and ingredients are made from locally sourced and fresh foods. Our menu includes eclectic hand-picked items that pair perfectly with our beers. We use unique flavor combinations and new takes on old classics. We love creating fun fusions with classic pub food – we have fun menu items such as Asian shrimp tacos, buffalo chicken grilled cheese, and brunch with bacon pancakes. This is not your average bar food! We take everything to a higher tier of quality at Voodoo.

#6 We’ve got some pretty serious clout… 

It probably sounds like we’re really bragging now, but come on… we’ve earned the right to a humblebrag now and again….and so will you! When you’re a part of the Voodoo bar franchise community, you’ll be a part of an award-winning brand with a cult-like following. What can we say? People love our beer and vibe. We’ve won a major variety of awards. The beer that put us on the map, ManBearPig, was once one of the most sought-after beers in the world.

Some of our most notable awards: 

• Best Local Brewery
• Best Locally Made Beer
• Best Stout in Pennsylvania
• Runner Up for Best Beer in Pittsburgh
• Best Winter Beer 2015
• Product of the Year
• Winslow Award
• Best Food Truck
• Top Beers of the Year
• Thrillist Awards (Best New Brewery)
• Great American Beer Festival Best Beer of the Week
• Best Brunch
• Best Brewery
• Best Locally Made Beer
• Best Burger
• 50 Best IPAs in the Country

Our brand recognition is strong. People know us, people love us. We have a strong online presence with over 40,000 followers across our social channels. Become part of the Voodoo bar franchise movement and know that you have a special part in making this vision happen. We want to share our love of craft beers and a successful business model with you. 

Instead of going out all on your own, be a part of a family of people who’ve got your back and give you the tools for success. Our Franchise Owners never feel left in the dark because they know they have the Voodoo tribe to back them up every step of the way.

#7 People love our eclectic and laid-back atmosphere

At Voodoo Brewing Co., we are all about letting our Franchise Owners express their individual styles and embrace the differences that make you unique. That’s why our customers feel so at home at Voodoo pubs – every single one of them has a piece of their Owner’s personal style and flair. 

We encourage all of our Franchise Owners to make their location unique while still vibing with the Voodoo ethos of serving bad-ass products to amazing people and having fun while doing it. We love incorporating local styles and supporting the surrounding cultural areas. 

Voodoo pubs thrive in urban and industrial locations that offer lots of foot traffic, we are the perfect place to stop and have a beer and a bite to eat before continuing your adventure. Our eclectic decor and comfortable community vibe are what keeps customers coming back and why they choose Voodoo again and again.

Next Stop.. Voodoo-ville!

If you have a dream of owning your own pub, bar, brewery, or restaurant but don’t want to feel like you’re out on an island alone, Voodoo has your back! We aren’t like other cookie-cutter corporate franchises- we actually care about our Franchise Owners and consider each location part of one big community and family. We’re with you from conception to launch, to serving your first customers, and beyond! 

We love to watch you create a major profit from the well-established and loved Voodoo bar franchise brand. If you enjoy award-winning craft beer and want to create a financially stable future for yourself without letting go of your identity, owning a Voodoo Brewing Co. bar franchise is the opportunity that you’ve been waiting for! 

Voodoo Brewing Co. sets itself far apart from the rest – it’s a no-brainer! If you like to have fun and want to make some serious profits doing it, take a look at our franchise opportunities today! 

*Numbers obtained from our 2020 FDD