Steven Marks
Co-Founder & CEOThe visionary behind GYG, Steven brought the dream of authentic Mexican food to Australia. His passion for freshness and quality set the standard for everything GYG does.
Our Story
About Guzman y Gomez — Fresh Food with Heart
Guzman y Gomez is Australia's passionate champion of fresh, bold Mexican-inspired flavours. Known as GYG to our loyal fans, we believe great food brings people together. From our humble beginnings in Sydney to hundreds of locations across Australia, our mission has never changed: serve real food, made fresh, every single day.
GYG by the Numbers
Why Australians Love GYG
From a single store in Sydney to a national icon — here's what GYG means to Australia's food scene.
200+
Locations Nationwide
18+
Years Serving Australia
100%
Fresh Ingredients Daily
50K+
Happy Customers Weekly
Our Origin
How Guzman y Gomez Began
It all started in 2006 when two American friends — Steven Marks and Robert Hazan — arrived in Sydney with a craving they couldn't shake: the vibrant, honest flavours of authentic Mexican street food. Unable to find anything close to what they loved back home, they decided to create it themselves.
They opened the first Guzman y Gomez in Newtown, NSW, committed to making Mexican food that never compromised on freshness or flavour. Every tortilla hand-pressed. Every salsa made in-house. Every burrito assembled to order. The name was a nod to the spirit of Mexican culture — warm, lively, and full of soul.
Word spread fast. Within a few years, GYG had earned a devoted following across Sydney, then Melbourne, Brisbane and beyond. Today, Guzman y Gomez is a beloved national institution, operating from Broadway Shopping Centre in Ultimo, NSW and serving guests across the country with the same passion that started it all.
View Our Menu
What We Stand For
Our Mission & Core Values
Everything we do at Guzman y Gomez is guided by a simple belief: food should be fresh, honest and made with genuine care for the people eating it.
Fresh Always
We never use frozen shortcuts. Every ingredient is prepared fresh every single day — because our guests deserve nothing less.
Made with Passion
From the kitchen to the counter, every member of our team brings authentic enthusiasm and care to every meal we serve.
Community First
We're proud to be part of the neighbourhoods we serve. GYG supports local suppliers and gives back to communities across Australia.
Sustainability
We're committed to reducing our environmental footprint — from sustainable packaging to responsible sourcing of every ingredient.
Our Journey
The GYG Story Through the Years
From one taqueria in Newtown to a national food movement — here are the moments that shaped Guzman y Gomez.
2006
The First Store Opens
Steven Marks and Robert Hazan open the original Guzman y Gomez in Newtown, Sydney, serving fresh hand-pressed burritos and salsas made from scratch.
2009
Sydney Expansion Begins
After rapid word-of-mouth growth, GYG opens three additional Sydney locations, establishing a loyal fanbase and cementing its reputation for quality Mexican food.
2012
National Rollout
Guzman y Gomez crosses state lines, opening in Melbourne and Brisbane. The brand's fresh-food philosophy resonates with Australians from coast to coast.
2015
GYG Drive-Through Launch
GYG innovates with its first drive-through location, bringing fresh Mexican food to a whole new audience and showing that fast food can be genuinely fresh.
2019
100+ Locations Milestone
Guzman y Gomez surpasses 100 restaurants across Australia, becoming one of the country's fastest-growing food brands and a true household name.
2024
200+ Locations & Beyond
Today, GYG operates over 200 locations including our flagship Broadway Shopping Centre restaurant, continuing to serve Australia's freshest Mexican food every day.
The People Behind GYG
Meet Our Team
Our team is our greatest ingredient. These are the passionate people who bring Guzman y Gomez to life every single day.
Maria Santos
Head ChefMaria leads our culinary team with two decades of Mexican and Latin American cooking experience. She is the guardian of GYG's authentic flavours and recipes.
James Chen
Operations DirectorJames ensures every GYG restaurant runs like clockwork. His operational expertise keeps the food fresh, the service fast and the experience consistently excellent.
Priya Sharma
Marketing ManagerPriya is the creative force behind the GYG brand. She connects our community of food lovers across Australia through storytelling, campaigns and authentic engagement.