Tom Potter

Tom grew up in the country and left school at the age of 15 to commence his apprenticeship as a baker. After finishing his apprenticeship, he travelled and lived in Alice Springs, Melbourne and Adelaide and during this period working in technical services with Defiance Milling Company he came across the pizza industry and saw an opportunity.

In 1987 Tom opened his first Eagle Boys store in Albury, New South wales, with his partner/mother Barbara and proceeded to open further stores in Wagga and Dubbo in the following year. It was decided soon after that Eagle Boys being the phenomenal success that it was in the country towns would commence franchising.

Over the next 10 years Eagle Boys grew throughout regional New South wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Eagle Boys continued its successful growth establishing places in Brisbane, Perth and all throughout New Zealand, winning various awards including Queensland Retail Franchise of the Year, New South Wales Retail Franchise of the Year and Australian Master Franchise of the Year.

Over the 20 years Tom built and retained majority shareholding of the Eagle Boys Group, he consistently maintained a frontline approach staying hands-on with the retail aspects of the business overseeing in excess of over 200 store openings across Australia and New Zealand.

Tom’s creative ability saw him re-engineer Eagle Boys with the introduction of radical and creative new concepts including the introduction of the 2 minute pizza, the creation and successful implementation of the first ever Drive Thru pizza in Australia and in later years the introduction of Micro Solution Stores installed into outlets such as Brisbane and Sydney Airports

Tom was awarded Australian Young Business Person of the Year by the Australian Financial Review and was awarded a scholarship to attend Harvard Business School to complete a 3 year Owner President Manager program, of which he graduated Class Valedictorian and gave the valedictory speech.

Tom founded the highly successful group Crusty Devil Bakehouse in 2009. Alongside other master bakers, Steve and Sarah Thoms – the team have created a unique “must visit” bakery in Carina, Brisbane. Products baked fresh daily such as traditional pies, sourdoughs, vanilla slices and signature donuts.

Tom founded Galactic Donuts in 2021 opening the first store in Townsville, Queensland. The vision is to be the leading name in artisan donuts, known for fresh, innovative, and irresistible creations, crafted daily with excellence and enjoyed by customers across Australia and beyond. The team behind Galactic Donuts boasts over 30 years experience in the fast food, bakery and donut businesses. Stores can produce up to 30,000 donuts per week, maintaining high standards of capacity and consistency. Most of the stores are partner-managed, operating at the highest standards of quality and profitability.

Tom has served on several boards, including the Ports Corporation of Queensland (Government Owned Corporation), Wallace Bishop Jewellers, Brumby’s bakeries, Soul Origin and The Board of Brisbane and a Commissioner on the AFL Queensland. Tom has also been honored as an Australia day Patron (on more than one occasion) and was inducted into Australia’s Inaugural Franchising Hall of Frame in 2003 to be recognised as one of the 20 most successful and influential people in franchising in Australia.