From a single kitchen in Sydney to a bold movement across Australia — discover the people, passion, and principles that define guzman y gomez and make GYG a place like no other.
Guzman y Gomez was founded with a single, uncompromising idea — that Australians deserved the real thing. Not a watered-down approximation, but vibrant, fresh Mexican food cooked with integrity and served fast, without sacrificing a single thing that makes it great.
In 2006, New Yorker Steven Marks arrived in Sydney with a hunger that local food courts simply could not satisfy. What he craved was the kind of Mexican he had grown up with — the taqueria food of New York's Lower East Side. Unable to find it, he decided to build it himself.
Partnering with restaurateur Robert Hazan, the pair opened the first Guzman y Gomez in Newtown, Sydney. The menu was simple, the tortillas handmade, the salsas fresh-ground every morning. Within months, word had spread across the city.
We never set out to build a chain. We set out to make the best burrito in Australia, and let everything else follow from that.
— Steven Marks, Co-Founder
Today, the guzman y gomez name stands for something far larger than a meal — it represents a commitment to quality ingredients, passionate people, and a dining experience that is bold, fast, and always honest. GYG continues to expand across Australia and beyond, carrying that original Newtown spirit into every new kitchen it opens.
Everything we do at guzman y gomez flows from a clear mission: to serve bold, authentic Mexican food that nourishes people and communities, without ever cutting corners on quality, honesty, or heart.
Order NowWe source fresh, high-quality produce every single day. No shortcuts, no frozen fillers — just honest food made with ingredients you can trust and taste.
Our crew brings genuine enthusiasm to every order. We hire for heart and train for skill — because the best food is always made by people who care about what they're doing.
GYG does not dilute. Our recipes draw from genuine Mexican culinary tradition, refined through years of craft and a relentless respect for flavour above all else.
From local sourcing to community sponsorships, Guzman y Gomez believes in giving back to the neighbourhoods that support us, building something that lasts well beyond the meal.
Every chapter of the guzman y gomez story has been driven by the same force — a refusal to accept ordinary food.
Steven Marks and Robert Hazan open the first Guzman y Gomez in Newtown, Sydney — a small, busy taqueria built on handmade tortillas, fresh salsas, and an obsessive attention to flavour.
Demand drives rapid growth. GYG expands to multiple Sydney locations, proving that fast food and genuine quality are not mutually exclusive — and building a loyal following that spans every suburb.
Guzman y Gomez crosses state lines, opening restaurants in Melbourne and Brisbane. The GYG brand earns national recognition as Australia's most exciting fast-casual dining concept.
The bold flavours of GYG reach Singapore and Japan, marking the brand's first international expansion. Global customers discover what Australians already know — guzman y gomez is unlike anything else.
With over 180 locations across Australia and growing, GYG cements its place as the country's leading Mexican food brand — still cooking with the same passion that lit the original Newtown burner in 2006.
Guzman y Gomez continues to innovate with expanded digital ordering, new menu categories, and a renewed commitment to sustainability — because the best version of GYG is always the next one.
Behind every great taco is a team of remarkable people. Our leadership brings together expertise in food, hospitality, and community — united by a shared belief that food should be bold, honest, and made with heart.
The New Yorker who brought genuine Mexican food to Australia. Steven's relentless pursuit of authentic flavour — and his refusal to compromise on ingredients — is the founding spirit of every GYG kitchen.
Trained in Oaxaca and seasoned in Sydney's best kitchens, Maria leads recipe development and flavour innovation at guzman y gomez — ensuring every dish on the menu earns its place with authority.
James oversees the day-to-day of 180+ GYG restaurants with a rare combination of operational rigour and genuine warmth. His philosophy: a great restaurant team is a great community in miniature.
Sophie brings the GYG story to life across every channel. With a background in cultural storytelling, she ensures that everything we say and show reflects the bold, human spirit at the core of this brand.
Want to join the GYG family? We are always looking for passionate people.
View Open Positions