From Mr Potato to pageant queen: The fast food entrepreneur who is vying to become Miss Universe Australia

From Mr Potato to pageant queen: Jess Davis put her modelling career on hold to launch a successful business. Now she’s hoping to be the oldest contestant to win Miss Universe Australia.

From Mr Potato to Miss Universe, model entrepreneur Jess Davis is determined to create her own recipe for success.

Davis, who is the founder and CEO of food chain Mr Potato, along with her husband Tyson Hoffmann, is now one of 25 women vying for the title of Miss Universe Australia.

Coincidentally, since opening in 2018 Mr Potato also has 25 franchises around the country including in Sydney’s Newtown.

“Humans are multifaceted. We are not one thing. We have so much to offer and that’s what I want to show,” said Davis.

Jess Davis is the founder and CEO of the Mr Potato franchise and she's also competing in the Miss Universe title. Pictured in her sash at the Newtown store. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Davis was modelling for the likes of Armani when she and Hoffmann, a former professional basketballer, had the idea for Mr Potato, which sees patrons load their sweet or baked potato with a range of toppings.

After being on the “no-carb train” for 10 years, Davis witnessed how much Hoffmann would eat potato with his training and the idea was born.

However as the business took flight, Davis’ modelling took a back seat and she missed the age cut off for Miss Universe Australia.

“My whole life people have asked why I haven’t applied so at 32 I finally entered, even though I knew the age limit was 28,” she said.

Tyson Hoffmann and Jess Davis (out the front of their Newtown store) started the healthy fast food chain Mr Potato. Picture: Richard Dobson

Davis at the opening of their first Sydney site of Mr Potato.

When she got the rejection letter, Davis sent an email to the head of the international organisation asking them to reconsider their stance.

“I believe women recreate themselves at any age or stage of life so I asked them why can women only have an impact at age 28. It felt like they were saying after the age of 28 that a woman’s opinion no longer mattered,” Davis said.

Months later, she found out the age limit had been lifted so reapplied. Now, the 34 year-old is one of 25 contestants who will compete to become Miss Universe Australia in August.

This week she will head to Vietnam with the women for photo shoots and training.

“I’m the oldest person competing and I’m up against women that have 20-year-old faces and bodies, but I’m really excited about the journey. Regardless of the outcome, I hope I’ve paved the way for women to go after their dreams,” she said.

For Mr Potato’s next step, Davis said they are looking at opening franchises in Bondi or Coogee.

“Everything in life is a journey whether that’s my career or being in a beauty pageant. There are always challenges to overcome but there is a lesson in everything,” she said.

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