Guzman y Gomez, an Australian fast-casual Mexican chain once aiming to expand widely in the U.S., has permanently closed all eight of its American restaurants in the Chicago area after six years of operations.

The company said the decision followed weak sales performance and a reassessment that further expansion would require more time and investment than expected.

Despite earlier ambitions to open hundreds of U.S. locations, leadership concluded the market conditions and financial outlook did not justify continued growth.

The closure marks a full exit from the U.S. market, allowing the company to refocus on expansion in Australia and other international markets, Fox Business has reported.

Analysts noted that the move may strengthen the company’s finances by cutting an underperforming segment, even as the broader U.S. restaurant industry faces rising costs and slowing consumer spending.