Our Story

About Guzman y Gomez

We're on a mission to prove that fast food can be fresh, flavourful, and made with real ingredients — every single day.

Inside a Guzman y Gomez restaurant with vibrant Mexican decor
Est. 2006 — Sydney, Australia

Born from a Passion for Real Mexican Food

It all started in 2006 with a single restaurant in Sydney's Newtown. Two childhood friends, Steven Marks and Robert Hazan, shared a dream: bring the bold, vibrant flavours of authentic Mexican street food to Australia — without the compromise of frozen ingredients or artificial shortcuts.

Frustrated that Australians had little access to the real thing, they flew to Mexico, ate their way through markets, taquerías, and family kitchens, and came back with recipes, stories, and an unwavering commitment to freshness.

Today, GYG operates hundreds of locations across Australia, Singapore, and Japan — but the heart of what we do hasn't changed one bit. Every burrito, every taco, every bowl is made fresh to order, every single day.

Fresh, never frozen
Locally sourced produce
Authentic Mexican recipes
Made with love
200+
Locations Worldwide
3,000+
Team Members
18M+
Meals Served
18
Years of Fresh Food

Our Mission & Values

Everything we do starts with three words: Fresh. Fast. Flavourful. These aren't marketing buzzwords — they're the standards we hold ourselves to every single day.

Freshness First

Every ingredient is sourced fresh and never frozen. We prep in-house daily because we believe food should taste as good as it looks.

Authentic Flavour

Our recipes are rooted in real Mexican culinary tradition — not Tex-Mex approximations. We honour the culture through every dish.

Sustainability

We're committed to reducing our environmental footprint through responsible sourcing, minimal packaging, and ongoing sustainability initiatives.

Community

We invest in the communities we serve — supporting local farmers, sponsoring youth programs, and giving back wherever we operate.

Our Journey Through Time

Milestone
2006

The First Burrito

Steven Marks and Robert Hazan open the very first GYG in Newtown, Sydney. Long queues from day one signal that Australians are hungry for something different.

Expansion
2010

Franchise Model Launches

GYG introduces its franchise model, enabling passionate food entrepreneurs to bring authentic Mexican flavour to their own communities across Australia.

Innovation
2013

Drive-Thru Revolution

GYG opens its first drive-thru location, challenging the notion that fresh, made-to-order food can't be fast. The format becomes a national favourite.

Global
2016

Going International

GYG takes the leap into Asia, opening locations in Singapore and Japan — bringing Australian-Mexican food culture to international audiences for the first time.

Digital
2020

App & Digital Ordering

GYG launches its mobile app and digital ordering platform, making it easier than ever to customise, order, and enjoy your favourite Mexican dishes.

Today
2024

200+ Locations & Growing

GYG now operates over 200 restaurants worldwide, with thousands of team members committed to delivering fresh, flavourful Mexican food every day.

Meet Our Team

Our leadership team brings together decades of experience in food, hospitality, and business — all united by a love of great Mexican food.

Steven Marks, Co-Founder and CEO of Guzman y Gomez
Co-Founder & CEO

Steven Marks

Steven co-founded GYG with a vision to change what Australians expect from fast food. His passion for Mexico's food culture drives the brand's relentless pursuit of authenticity.

Maria Gonzalez, Head Chef and Culinary Director
Culinary Director

Maria Gonzalez

Raised in Oaxaca and trained in Mexico City, Maria brings authentic regional Mexican expertise to every menu item. She oversees all recipe development and ingredient sourcing.

James Okafor, Head of Operations
Head of Operations

James Okafor

With 15+ years in multi-site restaurant management, James ensures every GYG location delivers the same exceptional experience — from Darwin to downtown Tokyo.

Priya Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer
Chief Marketing Officer

Priya Sharma

Priya has been the creative force behind GYG's bold brand identity since 2015. She leads a team dedicated to connecting the GYG story with food lovers across the globe.

Want to be part of our story? We're always looking for passionate people to join the team.

Join Our Team

Fresh Mexican Food Delivered to You

Skip the trip and bring the bold flavours of GYG straight to your door. Order online in minutes and we'll handle the rest.