Guzman y Gomez has reaffirmed its full-year comparable sales guidance of mid-single-digit growth after first-quarter network sales rose to $387.5 million, Business News Australia reported. The quarterly figures exclude discontinued US operations.
Australia contributed $363 million in network sales for the quarter, up from $305.5 million in the prior corresponding period, while Asia contributed $24.5 million, up from $20.8 million. The company recorded 7.1% comparable sales growth for the quarter, above its full-year guidance range. GYG ended the quarter with 286 restaurants in total, compared with 254 a year earlier.
The company noted that comparable growth in FY27's first seven weeks ran at high-single-digit levels, which it attributed to delivery campaign timing and a softer base in the prior corresponding period. Three new Australian restaurants opened during the quarter, matching the prior year's tally, set against a full-year new-opening target of 35 excluding the South Australian master franchise market. GYG anticipates approximately 12 Australian restaurant openings in the second quarter.
Australia's 258 restaurants broke down into 94 corporate and 164 franchise sites, with one site shifting from corporate to franchise ownership across the quarter. One closure notwithstanding, Singapore's restaurant count rose to 23 from 22 a year earlier, while Japan remained unchanged at five. Restaurants operating around the clock numbered 40 at quarter end, compared with 36 at 30 June 2026.
Founder and co-CEO Steven Marks, speaking at the FY26 result in August, said that even though the company held menu price increases below the rate of cost growth, the overall network restaurant margin widened by 20 basis points to 20.3%. Marks said the company kept prioritising value for customers and was rewarded with transaction growth that outpaced sales comparable growth, along with improved guest visit frequency. GYG's US operations, which the company resolved to close in May this year, resulted in a statutory net loss of $26.7 million for FY26.
Reporting: Business News Australia, Yahoo Finance, ABC News
Background: The Motley Fool Australia
Written by Pick & Scroll News from the reporting and documents linked above.
