Australia's fast food sector is hitting a decade-high growth spurt, proving resilient despite the soaring popularity of appetite-suppressing medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
A new report from data firm GapMaps reveals a surge in development, with 359 outlets opening nationwide last year against just 109 closures.
The expansion is being fueled by rapid population growth and a "time-poor" workforce increasingly hunting for value amidst persistent cost-of-living pressures.
The battlefield has shifted primarily to drive-through locations, which are now described by industry experts as "extremely scarce" and "difficult to find."
Guzman y Gomez (ASX:GYG) is leading this charge, with founder Steven Marks confirming that 85% of future openings will focus on drive-throughs to capitalise on their superior performance.