Meet Todd, the passionate and dedicated force behind Guzman y Gomez (GYG) in Leopold! As someone with deep roots in Geelong and a love for fresh, flavour-packed food, Todd is all about bringing the ultimate GYG experience to this amazing community.

From creating local jobs to sharing his favourite menu items and funny customer encounters, Todd's journey is all about making Leopold a happier and tastier place. Let’s dive into some of his thoughts and experiences!

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Can you tell us a little about what inspired you to open a GYG in Leopold?
Opening Guzman y Gomez (GYG) in Leopold was an easy choice for our family. With years of experience in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry, we saw a fantastic opportunity to bring fresh, tasty Mexican food to the community. Since I grew up in Geelong, returning here felt like the perfect way to reconnect with the area while raising our kids in a place we truly love.

GYG is a brand known for its quality, speed, and fun, and Gateway Plaza has become the perfect spot for locals to enjoy this experience. We’re proud to be part of this vibrant shopping centre and to have partnered with Gateway Plaza, Charter Hall. We love welcoming shoppers with our delicious menu and friendly atmosphere!

What’s is the funniest or most unusual request this customer has had from a shopper?
Being a big yellow and black pad site, customers often think we are a JB HiFi store. We also get requests for the old school take away language of ‘minimum chips’ as the Geelong customer learns about our Mexican inspired menu.

What is your favourite thing on the menu?
It’s such a hard decision as I adore all the food here and eat it day and night! Asking me to choose is like asking me to choose a favourite kid!

At breakfast you’ll find me enjoying a BIG brekkie burrito with Chorizo, Bacon and Smokey Chipotle BBQ sauce alongside a small cappuccino. Any other time of the day my current favourite is a Burrito Bowl with sauteed veggies, chicken, guacamole, sour cream and extra corn chips with a side of Chipotle seasoned fries and a Jarritos Cola.

(Next time you’re ordering, give Todd’s order a try! Sounds delicious!)

What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job is being part of this incredible community and bringing a smile to our customers' faces every day. Seeing people enjoy our clean, fresh, flavour-packed Mexican food and creating a place where families and friends can come together is truly special.

Another thing that brings me so much joy is working with an amazing team of locals. We've given 55 young people their start here at GYG, and watching them grow in confidence, develop their skills, and bring their energy and passion to everything they do is incredibly rewarding. It's their enthusiasm and hard work that make GYG such a fun and welcoming place for everyone.

Being able to do what I love, right here in a place that means so much to me, is the most fulfilling part of it all.