Australian Mexican food chain Guzman y Gomez has announced it will exit the United States market and close all of its Chicago-area restaurants after struggling to gain sales momentum. Company founder and co-chief executive Steven Marks said the US business required far more time and investment than expected, with the board concluding the expansion no longer justified continued shareholder spending. The decision is expected to result in a one-off financial hit of up to US$40 million, though investors reacted positively, sending company shares sharply higher. Guzman y Gomez will now focus on expanding its Australian operations and strengthening growth in Singapore and Japan.