Guzman Y Gomez, the five-strong Sydney restaurant chain including a new store in the bustling MLC Centre, is planning to expand nationally as a franchise late October.

The business that started from an initial 15-staff operation in Newtown in 2006 now has 100 staff and $4 million annual revenue. Founder Steven Marks revealed expansion plans are focused initially on NSW and then interstate.

“We plan to have the first franchises open around our existing hub in Sydney, probably west and north shore. We are also considering selling franchises for a few of our existing locations,” Marks told Franchising.

“This is a big step for us, and we want to give franchisees as much attention as possible.

“We had such a great response to our launch and many inquiries for franchise opportunities soon followed. We then realised just how many potentially great owner/operators were out there that were passionate about Mexican food and Mexican culture, and GyG! We feel the pairing of this passion and an owner/operator is a winning combination.”

However Marks plans to limit franchise openings within the first 12 months to just four outlets.

The Guzman & GomezÍ business model was purpose-built for the current economy, Marks said. We have found our niche which is the fast-casual revolution that has taken hold in the US; that is, restaurant quality food served fast. Australia has high quality, expensive restaurants or Hungry Jacks, nothing in between.

The key is contemporary branded, high quality affordable food made fast in an open kitchen to show the diner the produce and the cooking processes.

A health message is the latest promotional stance for the brand which will concentrate on highlighting the nutritional aspects of the menu.