By Sonia Isaacs
A popular Mexican restaurant chain is expanding its Sunshine Coast footprint next Tuesday with the opening of Guzman y Gomez Glasshouse Mountains, delivering around 65 new local jobs and realising an eight-year dream for a local franchisee.
Opening on January 20, the new drive-thru restaurant marks GYG’s fifth location on the Sunshine Coast and has been positioned at the gateway to the hinterland to serve locals, commuters and travellers heading north and south along the Bruce Highway.
For franchisee Nestor Unigarro, the opening represents far more than a business milestone.
Mr Unigarro is a long-serving GYG team member who began his journey with the company as a crew member and worked his way through nearly every role in the business; cook, shift leader, assistant restaurant manager, restaurant manager, Sunshine Coast operations manager and corporate culinary coach – before achieving franchise ownership.
“Dreams come true if you work hard and you prove yourself,” Mr Unigarro said.
“I’ve done it with eight years of hard work, and now I’m here. Opening this restaurant is a dream come true.”
Originally from Colombia, Mr Unigarro came to Australia during a period of unrest in his home country, initially planning to stay only long enough to learn English. Instead, he built a career, a family and a future on the Sunshine Coast.
“This is my home now, for my family as well,” he said.
“I wanted to create something that gives back to the community that welcomed me.”
Located on the Bruce Highway at Glass House Mountains, the new GYG Glasshouse Mountains Drive Thru has taken more than eight months to build and features indoor and outdoor seating, along with a full drive-thru service. The restaurant will trade seven days a week from 6am to 11pm, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner for dine-in, takeaway and drive-thru customers.
While the highway location is expected to attract strong passing traffic, Mr Unigarro said the restaurant was designed first and foremost with the local community in mind.
“This restaurant is built for the community,” he said.
“My main focus is to support Glasshouse Mountains, Beerwah and the surrounding areas. I want locals to feel welcome, and I want young people to see opportunities to grow here.”
The opening has already generated strong interest from locals, both as customers and prospective employees. Around 65 new jobs have been created across kitchen, crew and support roles, with recruitment still underway.
“We’ve had a huge response from locals wanting to work here,” Mr Unigarro said.
“We’ve built a team with people from all walks of life. What connects us is our pride in the food, our teamwork and our commitment to giving every guest a great experience.”
Community engagement will remain central to the restaurant’s operation, with Mr Unigarro planning to support local sporting clubs and community groups, beginning with a well-known local soccer club.
“It’s about creating good memories, opportunities and a real hub for the community,” he said. “If the locals feel proud of this place and feel welcome here, then I know we’ve done something right.”
To celebrate opening day, GYG Glasshouse Mountains will offer $5 breakfast burritos and bowls from 7am to 10.30am, followed by $5 burritos and bowls until 10pm, along with free coffee all day. Opening-day offers are available in-restaurant only.
“Whether you’re heading out early for a hike, road-tripping to the coast, or grabbing a relaxed family meal, this is your new go-to stop,” Mr Unigarro said.
The opening further expands GYG’s presence on the Sunshine Coast, adding another high-profile location while embedding a locally driven business into the heart of the hinterland.
“Opening GYG Glasshouse Mountains is something I’m incredibly proud of,” Mr Unigarro said.
“This store is about community, opportunity and delivering great food every single day.”
Opening details:
• When: Tuesday, 20 January 2026
• Time: 7am–10pm
• Where: 4249 Bruce Highway, Glasshouse Mountains QLD 4518