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.
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.
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.
