Mexican fast food chain Guzman y Gomez set to open 24-hour restaurant in Mosman.

By ANNA USHER

A popular fast-food chain has lodged plans to open a 24-hour restaurant where residents can enjoy a taste of Mexico in the heart of Mosman village.

If approved, Guzman y Gomez – also known as GYG – will serve tacos, burritos and nachos from 890 Military Rd in 2024, making it their first franchise in NSW to trade around the clock, seven days a week.

The development application also seeks a liquor license to sell alcohol on the premises.

Plans submitted to Council show the split-level premises have a single storey fronting onto Military Road, with the lower rear level to accommodate a loading bay, storage, staff amenities and a freight elevator.

The main floor will provide a shop front/dining area of 220 sqm, with a staff of 12 preparing and serving meals for take away customers.

There will also be seating for 18 people.

Internal alterations and additions to the $506,638 project include a food delivery counter, kitchen with cook line, café station, and French-fries station.

A report prepared by SLR Consulting says the site, located across the road from Mosman High School, will feature GYG’s distinctive yellow branding in “a darker conservative tone”.

“The development is considered to have minimal impact on the heritage significance of the surrounding Military Road Heritage Conservation Area due to the minor nature of work proposed and the toning down of the buildings colour scheme,” a Statement of Environmental Effects says.

“The alterations and additions have been designed to respect the existing aesthetic established along Military Road and the broader Mosman commercial area.”

The proposal includes three staff parking positions at the rear of the building, with local customers able to use the Raglan St East car park.

GYG sold more than 39 million burritos and bowls last year, and according to its website, a burrito is rolled every two seconds across its stores on average, while more than 700,000 people eat at a GYG restaurant every week.

The Mexican food chain now has 205 restaurants, including 171 in Australia, after opening 22 new local and five overseas locations in the past twelve months.

A Plan of Management submitted to the Council shows the open-all-hours restaurant – if approved – will see all staff trained in security measures.

“Training will ensure that in the event of a robbery, theft or anti-social behaviour, staff act in a manner to best protect customers, fellow staff members and themselves,” the document says.

“Employees will be encouraged to report any suspicious activity or persons in and around the area to the Management and / or Local Police.”

CCTV and special graffiti-resistant materials will also be used in some parts of the premises.

“Given the proposed operational hours of the GYG operation are 24 hours, seven days a week, there is potential for increased opportunity for crimes or anti-social behaviour (e.g. vandalism, graffiti, litter, excessive noise) at the site, particularly during night-time hours,” the D.A states.

“GYG seeks to make their operations as attractive as possible and maintain their sites to a high standard so that customers continue to visit both during the day and night periods.

“Routine maintenance checks and reporting will be carried out to ensure the property is maintained and to reduce the likelihood of crime or vandalism.”

Speaking exclusively with Mosman Collective, a Guzman y Gomez spokesperson confirmed “there’s nothing team GYG love doing more than opening new restaurants.”

“We recently submitted a DA for a new restaurant in Mosman with plans to open in mid 2024.

“GYG is on a mission to reinvent fast food because we genuinely believe that fast food doesn’t have to be bad food.

“We’re excited to show local community that it’s possible to serve good food, fast, without compromising on quality or nutrition.”

The new restaurant will create an additional 100 jobs in the community, the spokesperson said, and while they’ve applied for a 24 hour license, GYG doesn’t anticipate the restaurant being open for a full 24 hours each day.

“We’re always looking for people who share our same obsession with delicious fresh food have great energy and love working with real food, you can head to our website for more info.”

Apply for a job, HERE.