Why is GYG leaving the US?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: September 2026

Guzman y Gomez is leaving the United States market because its local restaurant operations failed to achieve acceptable financial performance or meet growth projections within a crowded American fast-casual landscape. Operating primarily in the Chicago and suburban Illinois areas, the stores struggled to establish a strong enough brand presence against entrenched domestic competitors. Executives acknowledged that continuing operations in the country would demand disproportionate capital and time commitments, prompting the abrupt corporate decision to shut down all US storefronts and focus expansion efforts elsewhere.

Related FAQs

Guzman y Gomez shares significant operational and culinary similarities with Chipotle Mexican Grill, as both operate within the fast-casual Mexican restaurant sector, offering custom-built burritos, bowls, tacos, and nachos prepared in open-kitchen f...

Guzman y Gomez commands a multi-billion dollar corporate valuation, with its public market capitalization on the Australian Securities Exchange fluctuating around 2.4 billion Australian dollars (approximately 1.7 to 2.2 billion US dollars).

The healthiest menu options at Guzman y Gomez (GYG) typically include their burrito bowls or salads customized with grilled chicken or seared steak, black beans, fresh pico de gallo, and lettuce, while omitting heavy ingredients like cheese, sour cre...

Yes, Guzman y Gomez completely closed all of its operating restaurants in the United States.

Guzman y Gomez positions itself around the concept of clean fast food, utilizing fresh, high-grade ingredients free from added preservatives, artificial additives, or added colors.

The healthiest options within Mexican cuisine generally focus on whole, minimally processed ingredients prepared with lean proteins, fiber-rich legumes, and fresh vegetables rather than heavy fats and deep-frying.

Kentucky Fried Chicken is generally not considered a healthy fast-food option because the vast majority of its core menu features heavily battered, deep-fried chicken pieces, high-sodium side dishes, and fat-laden gravies.

Guzman y Gomez is not limited exclusively to Australia, although the Australian market serves as its foundational home base and hosts the vast majority of its restaurant locations.

Guzman y Gomez operates as a profitable, rapidly scaling enterprise characterized by strong system-wide restaurant sales and consistent revenue expansion across its franchise and corporate store networks.

When feeling unwell, individuals in Mexican culture traditionally turn to comforting, easily digestible, and nourishing home-cooked foods designed to soothe the digestive tract and restore hydration.

Guzman y Gomez operates as a publicly traded corporate entity listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, meaning it is collectively owned by public retail investors, mutual funds, and large institutional asset management firms.

Guzman y Gomez maintains a multi-billion dollar corporate valuation, with its public market capitalization on the Australian Securities Exchange fluctuating around 2.4 billion Australian dollars.

Identifying the absolute healthiest fast-food chain is challenging because menu healthfulness varies widely based on individual selections, but brands like Sweetgreen, Cava, and Chipotle frequently top consumer health rankings.

The classic burrito stands out as the most popular and iconic menu item at Guzman y Gomez, having captured the hearts and loyalty of customers since the company's inception.

Menu items at Guzman y Gomez can sometimes appear relatively costly compared to traditional fast-food competitors because the brand strictly prioritizes clean, fresh, premium-grade ingredients, authentic Mexican recipes, and sustainable sourcing.

Interestingly, Guzman y Gomez is not actually named after its corporate founders Steven Marks and Robert Hazan. Instead, the name was chosen by the co-founders to honor the fathers of two close childhood friends of Steven Marks.

Mexican dishes that are gentle and easy on the stomach typically feature simple, bland, non-greasy ingredients such as plain grilled chicken, white rice, soft corn tortillas, plain black or pinto beans, and mild, unspiced broths.

Guzman y Gomez operates select international locations in the United States, alongside its massive primary footprints in Australia, Singapore, and Japan.

The largest Mexican-inspired fast-food restaurant chain in the world is Taco Bell, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, boasting thousands of locations globally and commanding an immense share of the fast-food market.

Guzman y Gomez decided to close its United States business operations—consisting of its restaurants located around the Chicago area in Illinois—after struggling to establish a profitable foothold in a hyper-competitive American market saturated with ...

Guzman y Gomez experienced a major corporate pivot when it officially announced its decision to completely exit the United States market, shutting down its entire network of American storefronts clustered around the Chicago area.

Comparing the nutritional health profiles of Chick-fil-A and McDonald's reveals that both fast-food giants offer a wide spectrum of items ranging from calorie-dense, heavy fried options to lighter, protein-conscious choices.

The co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Guzman y Gomez is Steven Marks, an American-born former hedge fund manager who launched the fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain alongside co-founder Robert Hazan.

Yes, Guzman y Gomez has shut down every single restaurant it operated within the United States.

Guzman y Gomez is not from Mexico, despite specializing in Mexican-inspired fast-casual cuisine such as burritos, tacos, and nachos.