GyG reported FY25 network sales growth of 23% and EBITDA at $65.1 million, up 46%. The company reported a step-down in comparable sales growth to 3.7% in the first seven weeks of 1Q26 vs 8.6% in 4Q25. The debate will be whether this lower growth persists and tempers expectations for margin expansion. While operating leverage may soften, the store rollout is skewed toward higher earning drive-thru sites and favourable moves in input costs will offset lower sales expectations in FY26e. The rebasing of comparable sales growth may be scrutinised, but even 4%-5% comp growth is still market leading.

GyG reported 1H25 network sales growth of 23% and network EBITDA growth of 28%. The strong sales have been helped by growth of breakfast sales and after 9pm. In addition, delivery sales have grown as a share of the business. While there was less operating leverage than hoped, the primary driver is additional store openings, which are a drag on margins in their first 12 months. While near-term leverage is softer, the company’s scope for store growth and margin expansion remains strong.

We have initiated coverage of Guzman y Gomez (GyG), a fast-food retailer offering Mexican-style cuisine that has exhibited strong like-for-like growth in recent years with a targeted store rollout in the Australian market.  Accelerating store openings combined with margin expansion are the key elements to this growth story. GyG’s Australian store productivity is industry leading and the scope to add more drive-thru stores is substantial. Moreover, fixed cost leverage and higher franchise royalty rates will support a doubling of EBITDA margins over the next four years.