Mexican fast food chain Guzman y Gomez has just welcomed on board new CMO, Lara Thom who previously worked as general manager of digital and marketing for Vittoria Food and Beverage.

Thom takes over from Anna Jones, who held the role for 15 months and departed from the company in December.

“Lara is industry leading talent who can leverage the GYG story with our customers in a disruptive way and with technology at the heart of it. We were overwhelmed by the quality of applicants who wanted to work with GYG” said Guzman y Gomez’s CEO for ANZ, Mark Hawthorne.

“In ten years, GYG has opened 79 taquerias in Australia, as well as five in Singapore and four in Japan. We’re not slowing down, with plans to open 20 more across Australia in 2017 and most will be drive-thru.”  

“As we grow, we’re adding new members of the GYG family who understand and share our vision for serving Australians healthy, quality food that can be just as quick and convenient as fast food. Lara has the perfect combination of digital know-how, food expertise and personality to help make GYG the industry leader.”

During her career, Thom has also launched several successful businesses, including digital agency Be.Interactive which was sold to Salmat in 2010, babywear brand L’il Fraser Collection and the Junior MasterChef range of kids cookwear and aprons.

“Anyone who has spent more than a few seconds speaking with Guzman y Gomez founders, Steven Marks and Robert Hazan & CEO Mark Hawthorne will understand why I have joined GYG. Their uncompromising approach to quality, entrepreneurial spirit, founder led passion, agility and operational expertise are a rare combination,” said Thom.