ArKay DD

Here are some sobering facts about alcohol consumption in the United States. Each year, more than one million people are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. According to a 2012 study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, close to 10,000 people died in drunk-driving related crashes during 2011 (that’s one person’s death every 53 minutes). Drunk-driving costs the United States $132 billion dollars a year, but the costs associated from the treating of health issues that arise from alcohol dependence & abuse annually costs this nation more than $200 billion, a dollar amount significantly higher than costs associated with the treating of obesity or cancer.

If only there was a way for consumers to shamelessly indulge in their favored flavored beverage without having to risk potential ramifications to their own health and safety, or the health and safety of others. Sylvie Grattagliano might just have devised the solution, or more appropriately, the formula, which not only offers an alternative in terms of consumption, but also something of a new business opportunity.

Sylvie is the President of Arkay, a product line of beverages that are whisky-flavored, but 100% free of alcohol. Though only recently introduced, demand for the beverage has generated sales throughout the world, and the company is building on current successes by introducing new lines of vodka, rum, gin and Tequila, which may taste like the real deal, but are totally free of alcohol.

A Triple Shot of Triumph

Arkay emerged on the market in November of 2011. Sold in cases by-the-bottle and soon by the can, the whiskey-flavored drink is being whisked away to distributors and retailers throughout the world. “In the beginning, I thought it would be good if we could move just one pallet a week, but now we’re moving more than 20 pallets a day,” says Sylvie. No surprise, States like Kentucky and Tennessee have generated the most demand, but Sylvie says orders come from all over the world.

The beverage’s popularity has allowed the company to expand upon its operations which began with the opening of a headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Arkay has since opened offices in Paris and Scotland, and has established manufacturing bases in Mexico (and soon in Oklahoma) for the bottle products while the canned concoctions are made in Miami.

She has secured distribution agreements in many countries around the world as well as some Middle Eastern countries where some nations have exceedingly strict rules governing the consumption of alcohol. Arkay, of course, poses no legal consequences for consumers. It also poses no health consequences as it is sugar-free, carb-free, sodium-free, and has zero calories.

What it does impart, says Sylvie, is the sense that one is actually drinking whiskey. “When you drink, it has a balanced flavor and feel. Even water has a certain taste… all drinks do. So when you drink Arkay, you have the impression of whiskey in your mouth… it has thatuumph, the aftertaste, just like whiskey, but without the alcohol.”

Arkay’s ability to mimic whisky flavoring is credited to the blending of flavors and creation of the new molecule. In the last year, representatives from some of the large soda companies have approached Sylvie and asked for samples. She suspects there are efforts to duplicate her formula, but she is not worried about it. “It would be hard for anyone to copy it… it might take years to crack the formula because no one has access to the molecule besides me and the scientists in Switzerland. Our agreement is that I have sole rights to use the molecule in all drinks we market.”

That molecule will now figure in other products Arkay is bringing to market. She is following her whisky-flavored success with a new line of alcohol-free vodka, tequila, gin, rums, brandy and Pina Colada mix. What O’Doul’s did for beer, Sylvie has done with spirits, but to another degree, she has essentially invented an entire new beverage category of alcohol-free liquors. She has also developed an expanding sales force, directly employing some two dozen people, but as much as 100 independent contractors. She is currently seeking additional sales representatives and distribution agreements. Licensed sales reps can garner up to 40% return from sales, and unlike alcohol, Arkay isn’t constrained by strict market regulations allowing it to be sold virtually anywhere. In fact, many sales have been generated via Arkay’s presence Online at www.arkaybeverages.com , the company is also offering free Arkay web sites for their distributors.

In a study of 147 countries conducted by the World Health Organization, it was determined, annually, there are more than two million deaths attributed to alcohol use. Though Arkay has already proven solid as a business model, if it can additionally serve to diminish such dire instances of death, it will further prove deserving for all to raise a glass and toast to its success.