Mr Potato couple vow to continue national expansion with 30 new outlets
The model and ex-basketball star have vowed to push on and expand their business into 30 new locations.
Food & Wine
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The couple behind Adelaide healthy fast food chain Mr Potato will continue to expand the company around Australia, despite the liquidation of a franchisee which operated three Gold Coast outlets.
Model Jess Davis and former 36ers basketball player Tyson Hoffmann, who started Mr Potato with one store at Glenelg in 2018, said they still plan to open another 30 outlets around the country by the end of 2024.
The former Adelaide couple, who married earlier this year, are now based in Sydney.
Their company headquarters, valued earlier this year at $12m, has taken over the failed Gold Coast franchise, which was owned by Mr Hoffmann’s sister Shanay Finau.
“We’ve actually acquired those stores now, so they are now being run under management by HQ,” Ms Davis said.
Mr Potato is developing new outlets in the Adelaide CBD and at Parafield DFO, to replace its Para Hills store.
The original Glenelg outlet will also relocate next year from Moseley Square to the new Colley Terrace Hotel.
Its first two Melbourne outlets will also open in coming months at Richmond and Maribyrnong.
Mr Potato has 13 outlets at present, and will have 16 operating by the end of this year, including stores in NSW and WA.
“On our current trajectory, we plan to open another 30 stores next year,” Ms Davis said.
“Tyson and I have really built this from absolutely nothing, and we’ve put our blood, sweat and tears into building what you see today as Mr Potato.
“It’s a testament to hard work and dedication.”
The Gold Coast franchise’s liquidator estimated it had up to $500,000 in debt to the Australian Taxation Office and suppliers.
“We have tried to absorb a lot of those costs just to keep things running smoothly … it is important that we keep all the team, so they have all been paid up to date by us,” Ms Davis said.
“This is the importance of making sure we have got the right team of franchisees on-board.”
One of the Gold Coast stores at Palm Beach had been closed before its planned relocation, while another is undergoing renovations before reopening.
Ms Davis said taking back control of the Gold Coast franchise was made more difficult because it involved family members.
“It’s been a little bit difficult but at the end of the day we have to look after the brand and its reputation.”
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