Fast food chain Guzman Y Gomez to set up shop in Leopold

A popular Australian fast-food chain is coming to Geelong, with plans to create more than 100 jobs.

Todd and Danielle Knight are brining Franchise opening in Geelong. Franchisee GYG Leopold.

A popular Australian fast-food chain is coming to Geelong.

Mexican restaurant Guzman Y Gomez has announced its first store in Leopold, which is expected to open mid-year.

The new store, located at the Gateway Plaza on the Bellarine Highway, will hire more than 120 people.

Franchisee Todd Knight, who grew up in Geelong, said he was excited to move his family back to the region.

“I’ve got two young kids who I am excited to bring back home,” he said.

“But we’re also super excited by the brand and the business.

“I’ve been watching it from afar and when the opportunity for Geelong came up we jumped.”

The fast food chain – commonly known as GYG – offers a full menu including burritos, tacos, and quesadillas.

It was established in Sydney in 2006 and now boasts 150 restaurants around the world.

With the slab already laid, Mr Knight said the hiring process was already underway.

“We’ve gotten some great applicants and made some hires already,” he said.

“Group interviews are in the coming weeks and applications are still open.”

The restaurant chain is the latest big company to announce its plans for the Geelong region, with Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr announcing plans for locations in Norlane and Armstrong Creek.

Starbucks and another Taco Bell store were also announced as part of plans for a Grovedale Village Shopping Centre tabled with the City of Greater Geelong last December.

“The proposed development, ‘Grovedale Village’, seeks to capitalise on the strategic corner location of the site to provide a mixed-use development that will allow for a significant improvement in the range of retail and non-retail services available to the surrounding residents,” a planning report noted.

Originally published as Fast food chain Guzman Y Gomez to set up shop in Leopold