Guzman y Gomez and Banjo’s bakery cafe lodge plans to build two fast food drive-through outlets on George Street

Not just one, but two fast food drive-through outlets, are proposed in plans lodged with Rockhampton Regional Council for the corner of George and Fitzroy street in the city’s CBD. Find out the full details here.

A drive-through Guzman y Gomez and Tasmanian franchise Banjo’s Bakery Cafe could be opening in Rockhampton by 2024 if new development plans are given the tick of approval by council and franchisors are secured.

Plans were submitted to Rockhampton Regional Council this week for two fast food drive-through outlets to be built on the corner site of Fitzroy and George streets, on the city’s highway strip.

The site was once home to family-owned Rockhampton restaurant Pacinos for many years before it relocated to the ground level of The Empire on Victoria Parade in 2014.

The former Project Mex site in Rockhampton where two fast food franchises are proposed to be built.

Project Mex moved into the site soon after but closed in September 2020, and the building has been vacant since.

The former restaurant building and a shed on an adjoining site will be demolished to make way for the dual fast food development.

Each outlet would have their own drive-through and carparking.

Plans for the Banjo's bakery cafe drive-through.

The documents and plans indicate Guzman y Gomez and Banjo’s would be the tenants however it should be noted the franchisors have not been secured and could be subject to change.

Banjo’s has been advertising on Facebook for someone to “be part of one of Australia’s most successful bakeries” with a franchise opportunity in Rockhampton.

The two outlets will be housed in two separate buildings with their own drive-through’s and parking.

The plans have the building that would potentially house GYG facing Fitzroy Street with alfresco dining, with Banjo’s behind it.

There are 27 on-site carparking spaces planned, along with drive-through waiting bays and space for 12 and 13 cars in the drive-through queue.

Entry and exit to the complex would be from George Street and Campbell Lane.

Operating hours aren’t specified in the planning documents however it is noted the development would operate during the day and night.

It is expected the development would be completed in 2024.

The properties sold last year to a company owned by two Rockhampton businessmen.

The Fitzroy Street site, which includes the former restaurant building, sold in December for $1.19 million.

The l-shaped site that wraps around the restaurant building, which includes vacant land on George Street and a shed structure on Fitzroy Street, sold in August but settled in December 2021 for $1.43 million.

The fast-food outlet development is now under assessment by council planning officers.

Banjo’s Bakery Cafe

A Banjo's bakery cafe drive-through built in 2019 by Hutchinsons Builders at Darra, Brisbane.

Banjo’s is a bakery cafe franchise that was founded in Tasmania in 1984 and has now grown to 41 stores across Australia.

The Rockhampton store would be the first store in Queensland outside of the southeast corner, aside from Cairns.

The brand sells freshly baked breads, cakes, handmade treats and coffee.

Guzman y Gomez (GYG)

The fast food chain came to Australia with a Sydney store in 2006 and opened its first Rockhampton store at Stockland’s The Terrace in 2016 and is very popular.

The business specialises in Mexican cuisine such as burritos, nachos, tacos, quesadillas and other foods.