Story perspectives

Guzman y Gomez shuts all Chicago locations, cancels expansion.

5/24/2026

Summary

Guzman y Gomez Closes

On May 22 2026, Australia-based Guzman y Gomez announced that it closed all nine U.S. Chicago restaurants.
The closures include the 2020 Naperville flagship and the 2023 Des Plaines 2,700-sq-ft restaurant.
Co-CEO Steven Marks said the U.S. operation missed financial targets and needed more capital than expected, leading the board to halt further investment.
The company also cancelled planned expansions to Lincoln Square, Lakeview and a second Naperville store slated for fall 2026.

Summary

Guzman y Gomez Exits

Shares jumped up to 20% after Guzman y Gomez announced a U.S. exit.
The exit incurs a one-time FY26 profit-and-loss charge of US$30-40 million and cash costs of about US$15 million.
Management said the FY26 dividend and share-buyback will remain unchanged.
GYG raised its Australia-segment EBITDA guidance to roughly A$85 million, a 29% rise.
Analysts noted the U.S. shutdown could free capital for 32 new restaurants and boost gross profit by about 15%.

History

Historical Context

McDonald’s exit from Iceland in 2009 came after a decade of high-profile disputes, such as the 1990 McLibel libel case that ended with the activists ordered to pay £60,000 in 1997. Similarly, Guzman y Gomez announced in 2026, via co-CEO Steven Marks, that it will pull out of the U.S., shifting investment to 32 Australian sites.

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Guzman y Gomez Closes

On May 22 2026, Australia-based Guzman y Gomez announced that it closed all nine U.S. Chicago restaurants.
The closures include the 2020 Naperville flagship and the 2023 Des Plaines 2,700-sq-ft restaurant.
Co-CEO Steven Marks said the U.S. operation missed financial targets and needed more capital than expected, leading the board to halt further investment.
The company also cancelled planned expansions to Lincoln Square, Lakeview and a second Naperville store slated for fall 2026.

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