Meet the Gen Z entrepreneurs behind Noosa’s viral Chip ‘N’ Mix

Eight months ago, three childhood friends had an idea to combine loaded fries with a self-serve business model. Now the line is out the door.

Co-Founders of Chip 'N' Mix Josh Leach and Bella Tyree.

Less than 12 months ago, three childhood friends had an idea to combine loaded fries with a self-serve business model.

Now the line for their Noosa restaurant is out the door.

Dreamt up by 25-year-old local friends, Bella Tyree, Rhiannon Pearce and Josh Leach along with Bella’s mum, Lisa Tyree, Chip ‘N’ Mix officially welcomed its first customers over the weekend.

The restaurant on Hastings St, Noosa Heads, offers chip-lovers endless loaded fries combinations through a self-serve buffet.

Ms Pearce said the atmosphere surrounding the much-anticipated restaurant’s opening filled Hastings St.

“There is a lot of excitement, it feels like we are bringing a new lease on life back to this side of Hastings St, there is a lot of buzz,” Ms Pearce said.

Ms Pearce it was her love of loaded fries and the popularity of self-serve hospitality business models that persuaded the group to take the plunge into the unknown with Chip ‘N’ Mix.

“The idea genuinely came about from my own desire to have loaded fries that were customisable to me, I’m a picky eater and I love loaded fries,” Ms Pearce said.

“As soon as I mentioned it out loud it was realised how good of an idea it was, because everyone loves chips and the self-service model is prominent right now.”

Chip 'N' Mix Noosa.

Chip 'N' Mix co-founders Bella Tyree and Rhiannon Pearce.

Queues for Chip 'N' Mix lined Hastings St over the weekend.

Ms Pearce said the idea took about eight months to come to fruition with plenty of “pinch me” moments, including an ideal store availability on Noosa’s bustling retail strip.

“We came up with the business idea and then decided we wanted it on Hastings St as our first location,” Ms Pearce said.

“We were in the early stages when we saw the place on Hastings St available and everything rolled from there.”

Ms Pearce said people are often shocked at how young the team behind the restaurant are.

“There have been some funny situations with building and doing the fit-out, we had many builders walk straight past and not really recognise we were the owners, but when they have proper conversations with us it becomes more of a “oh I see it now” moment,” Ms Pearce said.

The group said they don’t intend to stop at just one Chip ‘N’ Mix store, with plans to expand the business in the pipeline.

Originally published as Meet the Gen Z entrepreneurs behind Noosa’s viral Chip ‘N’ Mix