Latest news with #MrPotato
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside the crash of Mr Potato empire - as staff reveal the chaos that saw workers rely on UBER EATS for vital ingredients
A teenage worker left jobless by the failed Mr Potato fast food chain has described the chaotic months leading up to her store's closure and the business's total collapse. Maggie - not her real name - worked for Mr Potato at Newtown in Sydney 's inner-west from last year until the store finally closed its doors in late June. She watched on as basic ingredients for popular menu items had to be bought from Woolworths via Uber Eats because the usual suppliers had not been paid. Mr Potato had also stopped paying for its garbage to be collected and rubbish piled up outside the shop, while employees such as Maggie are still owed wages. When Maggie took a job at the Newtown store 'it was pretty normal for most of the time' but she soon realised there were 'issues paying people'. One manager left, and the operation began falling apart when its founders, Miss Universe entrant Jess Davis and her basketballer husband Tyson Hoffman, took over running the store. 'It just became clear that they didn't really know what they were doing,' Maggie said. Before the closed sign went up at the King Street premises - Mr Potato's only outlet in Sydney - Davis and Hoffman went on a marathon food truck tour around Australia. Franchisees were left facing bankruptcy when Mr Potato went into liquidation on July 4 after the Australian Tax Office brought wind-up action over a $150,000 debt. Phil Robinson of Deloitte was appointed as the Adelaide-based company's liquidator during a deliberation which took less than two minutes to be heard. Davis and Hoffman - also known as Tyson Finau - established Mr Potato in 2018 to capitalise on what they saw as a gap in the market for healthy fast food with a 'modern spin' on baked potatoes. Hoffman, who had played for the 36ers NBL team, suggested the idea of selling spuds loaded with savoury toppings to his then-fiancée as 'a joke' a few weeks after they began dating. Mr Potato grew from the first Adelaide store to other locations in South Australia before expanding into Queensland, with plans in 2022 to open 20 more restaurants across the nation. The Newtown store opened in April 2023 but there were clear signs the Mr Potato business was in big trouble later that year. By October 2023, Gold Coast franchises at Palm Beach, Upper Coomera and Mermaid Waters had gone bust and were taken over by head office in Adelaide. The number of franchises had fallen from 13 to just four by June this year, as Davis and Hoffman spent much of their time on their national tour promoting the brand. Davis sparked controversy earlier this year when she posted on Instagram her intention to seek investors for a $4million tropical resort. She and Hoffman acquired a 100-hectare slice of beachfront land on the Tongan island of Nomuka where they planned to build an 'eco resort', dubbed Oseni. According to the couple's Instagram, their plans for the resort included '30 private, luxurious and eco-friendly villas' on the remote beach. The couple also intended to build a seaplane wharf to help ferry guests from mainland Tonga to the island getaway. At the Newtown store, Maggie said the first time she was paid late was in November last year but only by a day so she wasn't particularly worried. When a shift leader resigned, she was left to open the restaurant on her own despite having never been trained to do so. Davis and Hoffman were acting as the store managers from December until late January and commenced their Mr Potato road trip in March. 'It became clear that they must have been struggling with the financial side of things,' Maggie said. 'We would start getting different suppliers than usual and we would start getting more and more emergency deliveries on most stocks. 'And then they decided that the best option to deal with all of this was to start a food truck.' In February, Davis and Hoffman threw a lavish Christmas party for their staff, hiring a yacht for a fully-catered cruise on Sydney Harbour, followed by Uber rides to karaoke. 'We were all kind of like, "What? How are you doing this? How are you paying for this?"' said Maggie. Daily Mail Australia has seen staff WhatsApp group messages from about March in which staff noted ingredients were being ordered from Woolworths every day and the 'run out list is getting longer'. One list of products not in stock featured two types of cheese, bacon, chipotle, mayonnaise, beans, jalapeno, beetroot, roasted peppers, vegan butter, lentils, hummus and tomato sauce. Maggie's pay was by then coming a couple of days late but other employees - international students - were waiting longer. 'They were still on tour,' Maggie said of Davis and Hoffman. 'And it quickly went downhill because they weren't contactable as much. 'Eventually we kept getting banned from our suppliers for not paying them. So we had to get the majority of our stock from Coles and Woolworths on Uber Eats. 'We kept getting into trouble with the council because we had the bins out the back, but they weren't paying for the bins to be picked up.' Easter brought more pay delays, including for lucrative public holidays. Maggie complained to Hoffman in a WhatsApp group chat in which she wrote: 'It's just disrespectful. A fortnight late? Come on.' Hoffman responded with an 'insane' message Maggie found 'a little bit threatening'. 'Obviously it's a tough time financially for us,' he wrote. 'Options are either we close the store and no one even has a job, any income or we find the solutions to keep things going. 'Anyone that thinks we have an immediate solution, is unfortunately incorrect. I do have solutions to make this never happen again. But they take time. This social media user and baked potato fan was unimpressed by the offerings at Mr Potato 'We have large funds landing any day now so we can ensure this doesn't happen again. 'We will remember who's on our team and who's not.' That pay problem was resolved but wages were late again in May and Maggie had had enough. Word began spreading the ATO was circling Mr Potato but Davis and Hoffman said nothing to staff. On June 26, Hoffman said in another group WhatsApp message the store would be closing 'for a few days', from that Friday to Sunday. 'We're currently waiting on some funds that are due to land on Monday,' Hoffman wrote. 'Once received, we'll be able to fully restock the store and resume normal trade from Tuesday. Apologies for the recent sporadic ordering and stock levels. 'In the meantime, please enjoy a well-deserved short break. Pays will be processed and in your accounts tomorrow.' On July 1, after repeated requests from staff for their pay, Hoffman responded on WhatsApp. 'At this stage, we won't be reopening the store,' he wrote. 'We know how hard this is to hear, and it's incredibly difficult for us to say. 'Jess and I have poured absolutely everything we have into Mr Potato - our time, our energy, our hearts. 'We've fought so hard to keep things going, and while we don't plan to give up, the reality is we're in a very tough spot right now. ' Hoffman revealed 'all of our other sites have either stopped trading or are still open but no longer paying us'. 'We're still exploring options, but we feel it's only fair to be transparent and not leave you all waiting in limbo,' he wrote. 'As painful as it is to say, we encourage you to look for other employment. 'In regards to wages and super, we're doing absolutely everything in our power to make sure everyone is paid. We don't have a clear timeline, but we promise to update you the moment we have more information. 'We're truly sorry. Thank you for everything you've given to Mr Potato - it's meant the world to us.' Maggie has heard nothing more from Hoffman since then and remains owed about $1,100 in wages. She said some of her ten or so workmates - as young as 15 - are owed much more. In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Hoffman previously insisted: 'Each store is responsible for its own financial obligations to suppliers.' 'At Mr Potato, we remain committed to transparency, franchisee success, and the strength of our brand. 'Business performance varies due to multiple factors, and we encourage all franchisees to conduct thorough due diligence before making financial commitments. 'We care deeply about our franchisees and want them to succeed. We provide support not only in business but also in navigating the various challenges that life presents. 'Like any business, the success of a franchise ultimately depends on the business management, effort, and execution of the individual franchisee.'
Sky News AU
10-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
'Had to apply for loan to cover my expenses': Influencer owners of collapsed fast food chain leave workers unpaid and in limbo as they go AWOL
A high-flying glam influencer couple has been accused of hiding behind their collapsed fast food business Mr Potato, as text messages show the pair ignoring the desperate pleas of an entire team of unpaid workers, left without more than two weeks of wages. The popular potato food chain founded by former beauty queen Jess Davis and her Adelaide 36ers basketball husband Tyson Hoffman, has been caught in a media storm in recent months after going bust and owing thousands of dollars, while the couple holidayed at luxury destinations. The entrepreneurial pair has been travelling around Australia on a food truck tour since March this year, but on July 4 the failing company came to a halt after it was ordered into liquidation. Two days prior to the liquidation order, Mr Hoffman reached out to one of his stores and advised staff to seek new work as the restaurant would be shutting down, before he cut all forms of communication with the restaurant manager, who wishes to remain anonymous due to legal proceedings against Mr Potato. In text messages seen exclusively by Mr Hoffman told the restaurant manager on June 21 the store "definitely" won't be shutting down after they raised concerns about unpaid wages, super and weeks of no stock from suppliers. "I found out (April 2) that we were banned from our biggest supplier because of unpaid invoices, some stores have been buying 90 per cent of stock from Woollies, Coles, or IGA," the manager told "Wages for the team was delayed and the restaurant has been on and off open, closing early or shutting down for days due to no stock to sell." Further messages on WhatsApp shows Mr Hoffman reached out to the team on the night of June 26 when staff were expecting their fortnightly wages, and advised the restaurant would be shutting down for four days but wages should be processed and in their bank accounts by the next day (June 27). As of Friday, staff members are yet to be paid more than two weeks of wages with many now forced to seek alternative methods to make up the lost income. Multiple concerned team members addressed Mr Hoffman directly in the work group chat since June 26 enquiring about their wages, but their pleas were neglected for days. "It's Monday, I have rent and bills due, can you please do our pay without ignoring us please?'' one message read. "Please don't ignore us here and you need to keep your words - you said Friday even though we legally need the money in our bank account on Thursday, it's already Sunday!!!" another team member said. "I really cannot wait anymore," another message read. Five days later on July 1, Mr Hoffman responded to the team confirming the restaurant wouldn't be re-opening. He also told the distressed staff that he did not 'yet have a clear timeline" on when wages and super would be paid out to the team. "All of our other sites have either stopped trading or are still open but no longer paying us. It's been an incredibly challenging time, and despite doing everything we can behind the scenes, the path forward in uncertain," he wrote in a message. After the announcement, the restaurant manager unloaded on Mr Hoffman in the WhatsApp group. They accused him of failing to properly communicate with the team. "You made us work for the last two weeks, making sales and now you're telling me we won't open again and there's no eta for our wages," the manager wrote. "You told me last week that we are definitely not closing and things are changing. "You knew these are coming and we would appreciate it more if you have communicated this way earlier." Shortly after, the restaurant manager was removed from the group. It has been more than a week since the Sydney team has not been paid their wages or super, and on Tuesday all staff members were advised by the Fair Works Ombudsman to lodge Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) forms, which is a last resort for financial assistance for unpaid workers. It has been alleged the Sydney team has never been paid their super in the duration of their career with Mr Potato. It is understood the restaurant manager is also working with Fair Work to commence their own legal action against Mr Potato. The team of 12 staff members are now required to look for new work in an already sticky job market as they anxiously scramble for money to pay rent and overdue bills. The restaurant manager told the shutdown and unpaid wages has been so difficult they have been forced to apply for a loan to cover expenses. "I feel like I was (and the my entire team) deceived by Tyson who made us work, made sales until the end just to tell us we are not re-opening anymore," the restaurant manager said, adding this was not the first time the team has not been paid. "He made me believe that we are not shutting down, broken his many promises that wages will be in our account and nothing was paid. "To the last day, telling us no timeline for our wages and super. I'm beyond disappointed to the whole situation." Mr Hoffman and Ms Davis have both been unreachable in recent days as a staff member tried contacting them about their wages multiple times. Deloitte partners David Ian Mansfield and Philip Andrew Robinson have been appointed as Mr Potato's liquidators, as the company's future now hangs in limbo. Several struggling chain franchisees have previously claimed they had been forced to sell their homes after facing bankruptcy due to the inability to make profits from the company. Franchisees said they were sold a "dream" by the fresh-faced couple about the potential of the brand but the reality was far from the truth. Ms Davis and Mr Hoffman have remained adamant they adhered to the Australian Franchise Code and had provided franchisees 'tools, operational framework, and ongoing support needed to operate their businesses successfully'. Mr Potato's website has been down since shutting some of its restaurants. Social media comments have also been turned off and both Mr Hoffman and his wife have made their Instagram accounts private. The company's last two stores in Queensland closed in February, and the first ever store in Adelaide has also been shut down. Ms Davis and Mr Hoffman have been contacted for comment.
7NEWS
09-07-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Mr Potato Management goes into liquidation after court action over tax debts
Australian fast food chain Mr Potato has collapsed, with its management arm now in the hands of liquidators. David Mansfield and Philip Robinson from Deloitte took control on Friday following wind-up action against Mr Potato Management. The court proceedings were brought by the ATO over a $151,000 debt, the Courier Mail reported. Former Miss Universe entrant Jess Davis launched the potato-themed business with her husband, former Adelaide 36ers basketballer Tyson Hoffman, aka Tyson Finau, in Adelaide in 2018. It was sold as an eatery offering fast and healthy meal options for people on the run. But struggling chain franchisees have said they had been forced to sell their home and faced bankruptcy after their stores failed to make money. Davis and her partner said they had adhered to the Australian Franchise Code, provided franchisees the tools and support to be successful, and 'go above and beyond to assist when needed'. By June this year, the number of franchises in the network had been trimmed from 13 across the country to just four. Mr Potato's last two stores in Queensland closed in February, and the first ever store in Adelaide has also been shuttered. The glamorous couple spent a significant part of the year touring the country in a food truck to promote the brand, and had sought investments for an eco resort they wanted to build in Tonga. The Mr Potato website has been taken down.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Mr Potato collapses: Popular fast food chain goes into liquidation
Aussie fast food chain Mr Potato has collapsed, leaving its management company in liquidation and franchisees facing bankruptcy. The Adelaide-based franchise was appointed Phil Robinson of Deloitte as liquidator at a court hearing on Friday for wind-up action brought by the ATO over a $151,000 debt. Miss Universe entrant Jess Davis, who founded the chain with husband Tyson Hoffman, aka Tyson Finau, who played for the 36ers NBL team, is the sole director of Mr Potato Management. More to come.
9 News
03-07-2025
- Business
- 9 News
Family business 'owed thousands' by power couple's fast food franchise
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here A company owned by a former Adelaide 36ers player and a Miss Universe finalist is accused of owing tens of thousands of dollars to a small family business. Adelaide-based fast food franchise Mr Potato is accused of failing to settle outstanding invoices with Luxury Projects, a business that fitted out one of their stores in 2023. Mr Potato was co-founded by former Adelaide 36ers player Tyson Hoffman and 2024 Miss Universe finalist Jess Davis, who have recently been on luxury holidays and even began a tour of Australia spruiking the franchise. Mr Potato was co-founded by former Adelaide 36ers player Tyson Hoffman and 2024 Miss Universe finalist Jess Davis (9News) However, Luxury Projects owner Allie Burns claims she's owed about $55,000 by the couple's company. "Pay your bills, that's all I'm asking, just pay your bills," Burns said. "I literally broke for my family because I thought this is it for us." Hoffman and Davis' holiday now appears to be on hold as the Australian Tax Office tomorrow takes Mr Potato to the Federal Court over unpaid debts, believed to total more than $150,000. Mr Potato franchises in Glenelg and Parafield have closed down. Luxury Projects owner Allie Burns claims she's owed about $55,000 by the couple's company (9News) The couple sold the franchise in Parafield for what 9News has been told was a significant amount of money, but still the debt to Luxury Projects wasn't paid. "We shouldn't have to be fighting two years for our money, it's a joke," Burns said. Hoffman says tomorrow's looming liquidation threat won't affect the debt owed to Luxury Projects. "We are trying our hardest to resolve it and do everything we can, but as you know business is tough right now," he told 9News. When questioned how Luxury Projects would be repaid, he said, "We have other stores trading still, so we will pay that through there". This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress . national Australia South Australia Adelaide business Tax courts 9ExPress CONTACT US Property News: The suburbs where workers on $300,000 can't afford a house.
