Guzman y Gomez cracks $1.2b sales as it pushes to reinvent fast food

Guzman y Gomez has smashed through the billion-dollar barrier, posting $1.2 billion in network sales for FY25, up 23% on the previous year as the Mexican fast food chain leans hard into a mission to “reinvent fast food” at scale.

The milestone makes GYG one of the most disruptive players in Australia’s quick-service category, built on a promise of clean food and a challenger ethos that has resonated with both customers and investors.

“Our mission has always been to show that fast food can be done better – clean, fresh and actually good for you – at the speed and value people expect,” said founder and co-CEO Steven Marks.

“This is not just about food or convenience. Guests today want quality, speed, customisation and values. That’s what fuels our ambition to be the best and biggest restaurant company in the world.”

The year marked the company’s first full year as a public business, during which it opened 39 new restaurants – including 32 in Australia – bringing its global footprint to 256. The company says it sees potential for 1,000 restaurants in Australia alone.

Australia remains the growth engine, with comparable sales in Australia up 9.6%. Drive-thru stores were also a growth driver, averaging $6.7 million in annual sales.

The brand’s disruption push is not limited to its menu. Its “Clean is the New Healthy” campaign, expansion into all-day parts such as breakfast and late-night, and investment in digital ordering and its own delivery service all point to a business intent on reshaping QSR economics.

Co-CEO Hilton Brett said the growth story is only beginning. “We’ve proven the model in Australia, but the global fast food industry is a trillion-dollar category ready for disruption. Consumers have been sold over-processed, additive-laden food for too long. GYG is showing there is another way – and that it can be scaled,” he said.

The US and Singapore are early testing grounds. In the US, the company has set a target of US$3 million average unit volumes to achieve a sustainable model, pointing to the long runway ahead. “Building a brand takes time and focus. We’ve been here before in Australia and we know how this story unfolds,” Brett added.

The Mexican fast food chain is also accelerating its 24/7 model, with 18 outlets now operating around the clock as GYG tests how far convenience can stretch in the category.