Carla Mingari- Mingari+Co
Carla Mingari is the Owner and Operator of Mingari+Co, a family‑run quick‑service restaurant group in Southern Tasmania. Migrating from Portugal as a child with no English, her story is one of resilience, hard work, and deep community commitment. She now leads the business alongside her husband and daughters, maintaining a strong family‑centred and community‑focused culture, earning distinguished recognition as a finalist in the Medium to Large Business Category.
Q: What was Carla’s journey to Australia like?
A: Carla migrated to Australia in 1983 at five years old, arriving with her parents who spoke no English and initially found themselves in the wrong city without support. She adapted quickly, learning the language through school and daily life. These early challenges shaped her resilience, strong work ethic, and commitment to inclusion — values that continue to guide her leadership today.
Q: How did Carla start her career?
A: Carla studied teaching at Australian Catholic University but began her career at McDonald’s as a 15‑year‑old crew member. Her dedication saw her rise through management, running some of Sydney’s busiest restaurants before moving into a corporate training consultant role. This blend of operational expertise and people‑development experience later became a core foundation of her business success.
Q: What inspired Carla to start her own business?
A: Carla and her husband always dreamed of owning their own restaurants. In 2012 they made the life-changing decision to relocate from Sydney to Hobart to open the North Hobart McDonald’s — despite not knowing anyone in Tasmania. The move required significant financial risk, using family property assets and business loans to fund the opportunity, while also relocating their young family interstate.
Q: How has Mingari+Co grown since starting?
A: Carla opened the North Hobart restaurant with a team of 75, hiring and training the entire crew in a single weekend. Since then, the business has expanded rapidly — nearly tripling revenue at the original site and adding new locations in New Norfolk, Bridgewater, and Moonah. Today, Mingari+Co has grown its workforce by more than 600% since launch, reflecting the scale and momentum of Carla’s leadership.
Q: What makes Mingari+Co stand out?
A: Mingari+Co operates with a strong family-run philosophy while managing a large workforce. Carla’s hands-on leadership style and focus on people development help create a workplace culture that supports young employees, often giving them their first experience in the workforce. The business is also deeply embedded in the community, supporting local sporting clubs, fundraising events, and major charity initiatives across Tasmania.
Carla pictured with Joseph Assaf AO, Founder and Chairman of the EBA
Q: What impact has Carla and Mingari+Co made in the community?
A: Community involvement sits at the heart of the business. Mingari+Co supports initiatives including Relay for Life, St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout, McHappy Day, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities Gala Ball, which raises over $140,000 annually. Carla was also recognised for her charity work, receiving a Dame rank in the Order of St John and a bronze community award at the Tasmanian Hospitality Association Awards.
Q: What is Carla’s vision for the future?
A: Carla’s vision is to make Mingari+Co the leading employer of young people in Southern Tasmania by creating strong career pathways, leadership development opportunities, and supportive workplace culture. Future plans include expanding restaurant locations, continuing property development projects, and building a long-term financial and community legacy for future generations.
