
Guzman y Gomez (ASX:GYG) has served up a record-breaking financial performance for the first half of fiscal year 2026, driven by an aggressive expansion strategy and surging consumer demand.
The fast-casual Mexican chain reported a massive 18% increase in global network sales, reaching $681.8 million for the six months ended Dec. 31, 2025.
The company's profitability metrics were equally impressive, with group segment underlying EBITDA jumping 23.3% to $33 million.
The growth was spearheaded by the powerhouse Australia segment, which contributed $41.3 million in underlying EBITDA.
A standout highlight for investors was the performance of the drive-thru model, which achieved a 22% average restaurant margin, proving the efficiency of GYG’s high-speed service format.
The network continues to scale rapidly, with 17 new restaurants opened during the half—comprising 14 in Australia, two in the US, and one in Singapore—bringing the total global count to 272.
With a "debt-free" balance sheet and a pipeline of 108 upcoming Australian locations, GYG appears primed for sustained dominance.
Shareholders will also benefit from a fully franked interim dividend of 7.4 cents per share.