Cruel reason popular booze-free Bottle-O Sans Drinks collapsed

The owner of a popular alcohol-free drinks business has revealed the real reason her business has collapsed.

The businesswoman whose alcohol-free bottle shop franchise has gone into voluntary administration has revealed the real reason for its demise.

Irene Falcone opened her franchise Sans Drinks in Freshwater, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, in May 2021.

She had plans to expand the business “really rapidly” and projected that it would make $20 million in the first five years.

However, she shut her original store in November and her second store at Warringah Mall last month.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Falcone said she had dreamt of rivalling Dan Murphy’s but her business floundered after it was copied by supermarkets.

Irene Falcone opened her non-alcoholic bottle shop franchise 'Sans Drinks' at Freshwater on Sydney's Northern Beaches in May 2021.

“I was shocked at how fast Woolworths and Dan Murphy’s jumped on my idea. They jumped on it so fast, with so much gusto,” she said.

“They went very hard after the brand that I was selling and my concept.”

Ms Falcone said that in previous years Feb Fast and Dry July, months where many Aussies abstain from booze, there had been queues out of the door of her store.

But once similar options were available in supermarkets she saw foot traffic plummet.

Ms Falcone said she once had dreams of rivalling Dan Murphy's but that her business took a hit after being “attacked” by supermarket giants.

“(I thought) two peak periods of not drinking were not turning a dial for me - I need to step in now until this snowballs into something out of my control,” she said.

Ms Falcone sought voluntary administration and hopes a restructure will save the business.

“I fought really hard. I genuinely thought I had a David and Goliath story against the big boys,” she said.

“I’m open to anyone coming to save me. I’m still so passionate.

“There is genuinely a place out there (for a business) that specialises in non alcoholic drinks.

“I’m hoping that I can ride through this storm and find a niche where I can survive alongside these big boys. I’m a fighter but I need help now.

“There’s very few people who could do it on their own. I bit off more than I can chew.”