A jet-setting Miss Universe model is begging for millions to bankroll a tropical resort while former franchisees of her failing Mr Potato chain are losing homes and going bankrupt.

Aussie model Jess Davis posted on Instagram seeking $50,000 investments for she and her partner Tyson Hoffman’s $4million island getaway.

Davis and Hoffmann acquired a 100hectare slice of beachfront land on the Tongan island of Nomuka where they plan to build an ‘eco resort’, dubbed Oseni.

However, the Mr Potato founders are seeking others to invest millions into their latest ambitious project.

According to the couple’s Instagram, their plans for the resort will include ’30 private, luxurious and eco-friendly villas’ on the remote beach.

The couple also plan to build a seaplane wharf to help ferry guests from mainland Tonga to the island getaway.

But the $4million resort plan has been met with fury by financially-ruined franchisees of Davis and Hoffmann’s diminishing healthy fast food chain Mr Potato.

Mr Potato, a healthy potato themed chain eatery, closed its final Queensland shops at Broadbeach and Mermaid Waters last week.

Miss Universe model Jess Davis and partner Tyson Hoffmann are under fire after several Mr Potato stores closed down

Davis was a Miss Universe contender

Davis was a Miss Universe contender

Mr Potato, a baked potato themed chain eatery, closed its final Queensland shops at Broadbeach and Mermaid Waters last week

Mr Potato, a baked potato themed chain eatery, closed its final Queensland shops at Broadbeach and Mermaid Waters last week

The recent closures come off the back of mass Mr Potato franchises shutting down across Australia in the past 12 months. These include stores in Queensland, New South Wales  and Western Australia.

It’s understood Hoffmann’s sister Shanay Hoffmann closed her two Mr Potato stores and declared bankruptcy. 

A confidential email obtained by the Daily Mail Australia confirmed Davis stepped down from her role as co-CEO of Mr Potato in June last year.

‘As a CEO, building this business from the ground up over the last five years has been the most challenging, yet rewarding, adventure of my life,’ she said.

‘From DIY-ing our first ever store, to baking our first potato to creating an Australian-wide spud empire, it’s been a wild ride.’

The ‘spud empire’ is now dwindling with just six Mr Potato stores remaining including two stores in the couple’s home state of South Australia. 

In the email, Davis said Hoffmann will remain as the sole CEO while she will take the role of ‘head of brand’.

The couple recently announced it will take Mr Potato on a 'national food truck tour' to promote the brand

The couple recently announced it will take Mr Potato on a ‘national food truck tour’ to promote the brand

Davis (pictured) said she will take the role of 'head of brand' at Mr Potato

Davis (pictured) said she will take the role of ‘head of brand’ at Mr Potato

The couple recently announced it will take Mr Potato on a ‘national food truck tour’ to promote the brand.

A spokesperson representing affected franchisees told the Daily Mail Australia potential investors should be warned-off buying into Mr Potato and the proposed Oseni resort. 

‘Authorities need to look closely at what they’re doing,’ the former franchisee said.

‘We want to come forward in the hopes no one else in the future buys into the Mr Potato brand or invests in their upcoming travels and resort build.’

The whistleblower said franchisees were hung out to dry by Davis and Hoffmann who they claim failed to provide adequate training or assistance and were hard to reach when issues arose.

The ex-franchisee also claimed Hoffmann, a former Adelaide 36ers NBL player, owed money to suppliers and other creditors and constantly requested franchise operators pay their royalties.

‘We invested and loss our time, health, mentality and family and we even had to borrow money to support a non-profitable business while trying to keep a roof over our heads,’ he said.

‘To think anyone else could be put in this position like a lot of the other Mr Potato franchisees who have lost everything, lost their homes [and] gone bankrupt, would be criminal.’

Mr Potato is marketed as a 'healthy' fast food chain

Mr Potato is marketed as a ‘healthy’ fast food chain

The whistleblower also said Hoffmann contacted franchisees after word broke in the media multiple Mr Potato stores had closed down.

In a text message obtained by the Daily Mail Australia, Hoffmann told franchisees the stores at Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach closed down due to ‘health reasons’.

The couple also allegedly blamed failing franchises on poor management. 

‘You cannot keep saying ‘poor health’ is why franchisees are walking away, that is totally wrong,’ the whistleblower said.

‘They are simply in it for their profile, Miss Universe and the Tongan resort and no one should be funding their lifestyle while many Mr Potato franchisees are going bankrupt.

‘We believe Jess Davis promotes products around NSW and QLD and those deals should be torn up in our opinion.’

The whistleblower, a Mr Potato franchisee for almost 12 months, confirmed he and others had consulted lawyers on possible legal action against Davis and Hoffmann.   

Another ex-franchisee who did not wish to be named said ‘many who invested into the brand have lost everything they had by investing hundreds of thousands of dollars’.

‘Contrary to what you see on social media, stores are closing due to unprofitability, lack of franchise support, and suppliers not wanting to work with Jessica and Tyson,’ she said. 

‘There are franchisees who have had to sell properties and some declaring bankruptcy to save themselves from the Mr Potato brand taking them down.

‘We advise with urgency as we don’t want to see another person invest into the brand and end up losing everything because the franchisors make the brand seem as if it  something it is not.’

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Hoffman insisted: ‘Each store is responsible for its own financial obligations to suppliers.

The glamorous couple are planning to build a $4 million island resort

The glamorous couple are planning to build a $4 million island resort

‘At Mr Potato, we remain committed to transparency, franchisee success, and the strength of our brand.

‘While we respect the experiences of former franchisees, it’s important to clarify key points and address misinformation. 

‘Business performance varies due to multiple factors, and we encourage all franchisees to conduct thorough due diligence before making financial commitments. 

‘It is devastating when a store doesn’t succeed, as we genuinely want every franchisee to thrive. 

‘We care deeply about our franchisees and want them to succeed. We provide support not only in business but also in navigating the various challenges that life presents. 

‘Like any business, the success of a franchise ultimately depends on the business management, effort, and execution of the individual franchisee. 

‘Various factors, including personal, family, and health challenges, that can affect all of us at times may also impact one’s ability to successfully operate a franchise or any business.’

Hoffman also confirmed the Mermaid Waters and Broadbeach stores are ‘in the process of being taken over by HQ’ and ‘we aim to resume trading next week’.

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk