A business co-owned by ex-Adelaide 36ers player Tyson Hoffman and 2024 Miss Universe finalist Jess Davis, Mr Potato, is facing allegations of owing a family-run firm significant money. The Adelaide-based fast-food franchise has reportedly failed to pay around $55,000 in outstanding invoices to Luxury Projects, a company that provided fit-out services for one of their stores earlier this year.
Owner of Luxury Projects, Allie Burns, has expressed her frustration, stating, “Pay your bills, that’s all I’m asking,” highlighting the financial strain her business has endured due to the unpaid debt. She described the situation as distressing, saying it has severely impacted her family’s wellbeing. Compounding the issue, Mr Potato is also being taken to court by the Australian Tax Office for unpaid debts projected to exceed $150,000.
Despite Ms Burns’ claims, Mr Potato’s founders, Hoffman and Davis, recently enjoyed holidays and launched a promotional tour across Australia for their franchise. The situation has taken a turn for the worse, as two Mr Potato locations—in Glenelg and Parafield—have closed down.
As per reports, Hoffman mentioned they had sold the Parafield franchise for a substantial amount, yet the debt owed to Luxury Projects remains unsettled. Burns voiced her disbelief about the ongoing struggle to reclaim owed funds, remarking, “We shouldn’t have to be fighting two years for our money; it’s a joke.”
While facing a liquidation threat, Hoffman asserted that the impending legal matters would not affect their debt obligations to Luxury Projects. He insisted that they are making every effort to rectify the situation, acknowledging the challenges businesses are currently navigating. When asked about the strategy for repaying Luxury Projects, Hoffman indicated that they would use revenue from their remaining operational stores to settle the debt.
This unfolding saga raises questions about the integrity and management of Mr Potato, as Hoffman and Davis’s public persona contrasts sharply with the financial troubles faced by their suppliers.