New Toowoomba Guzman Y Gomez proposed near Wilsonton Shopping Centre

It’s a Toowoomba fast food precinct worth more than $55m in 2021 and featuring now less than 10 major brands. Now a new outlet has been proposed for a franchise already with two locations.

Mexican fast food chain Guzman y Gomez is slated to build a new location in Toowoomba. Picture: Guzman y Gomez via NCA NewsWire

Yet another top franchise is expected to set up shop in an area already considered Toowoomba’s $55m fast food precinct.

Popular Mexican eatery Guzman Y Gomez has been listed as the tenant for a new drive-through food and drink outlet on the corner of Bridge Street and Richmond Drive in Wilsonton.

The plans were submitted by Toowoomba firm FKG Group to the council last week.

This would be the franchise’s third outlet in Toowoomba and would be the 10th major fast food location within the area around the Wilsonton Shopping Centre.

The precinct already features a McDonald’s, Red Rooster, Super Rooster, Hungry Jack’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, the Cheesecake Shop and Subway.

A Starbucks has also been slated for the second stage of the shopping centre’s refurbishment, while upstart company Mad Burger has lodged plans with the council.

According to the planning report, the new GYG restaurant will replace an existing building on the site.

Concept art for the new Toowoomba Guzman Y Gomez drive-through Mexican restaurant, which has been proposed for a site on Bridge Street in Wilsonton.

“The built form of the proposed outlet is to comprise a total of 260 sqm, with 31 sqm of this area comprising outdoor dining space,” the report said.

The applicant also submitted an economic needs assessment report by Ethos Urban, which estimated the new restaurant would turn over $2.5m in sales in 2026 and support nearly 30 jobs during construction and operation.

Ethos Urban also put the food spending for the precinct would hit $59m in 2026, up from $55m last year.

The report also said the GYG would achieve a market share within the immediate area of 3.9 per cent.

“The level of impact the proposed development is expected to have on the Wilsonton centre is considered to be negligible,” it said.

“Potential sales for the GYG at the subject site in 2026 have been calculated to be approximately of $2.5m.

“Overall, development of a fat-food outlet at the site is not expected to result in a lower level of MTA food catering spending available to other retailers compared to 2021 levels.”

Darling Downs Health data last year revealed a third of adults in the region were obese, with less than half of the population getting enough physical activity.