What is Guzman y Gomez?
Guzman y Gomez is an Australian Mexican-inspired restaurant chain founded in Sydney in 2006 by Steven Marks and Robert Hazan. Known as GYG, it has grown rapidly and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2024.
Steven Marks, a former hedge fund trader from New York, missed the Mexican food he had grown up with in the United States. He opened the first restaurant in Newtown, Sydney, with the goal of offering fresh, high-quality Mexican food at fast food speed.
The menu includes burritos, tacos, nachos and bowls. The restaurant emphasizes fresh ingredients and food free from added preservatives.
Drive-thrus and growth
GYG has expanded quickly, opening drive-thru restaurants to compete with global fast food chains. It now has restaurants across Australia, as well as in Singapore, Japan and the United States.
The company's listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in June 2024 was one of the most successful floats of the year, with shares rising sharply on the first day of trading.
Marks has stated ambitions to make GYG one of the biggest fast food companies in the world. The chain is especially popular with young Australians and has a strong presence on social media.
Did You Know?
GYG restaurants are known for their bright colors and Mexican street-style decor.