The smartest ASX growth stock to buy with $5,000 right now

I'm very excited about the potential of these businesses.

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Key points

  • ASX growth stocks, including Guzman Y Gomez and Tuas, present long-term potential with significant revenue and profit growth drivers.
  • Guzman Y Gomez aims for 1,000 Australian restaurants in 20 years, with rising profit margins, while Tuas is enhancing profitability through market share expansion and strategic acquisitions.
  • Both companies are increasing shareholder value through initiatives like GYG's $100 million share buyback and Tuas' acquisition of competitor M1 to boost earnings per share.

ASX growth stocks are some of the most compelling ones to own for the long term. They can deliver strong earnings growth, which can enable very compelling capital growth over time.  

If I had $5,000 to invest today, I'd definitely think about putting that money into businesses with strong potential.

The businesses I'm going to talk about are two of my favourites. They are already delivering strong revenue growth, look set to increase their profit margins, and have long growth runways.

Let's get into it.

Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)

GYG is a Mexican food quick service (QSR) restaurant with a significant presence in Australia. At the end of the first quarter of FY26, GYG had 227 Australia restaurants, 22 Singapore restaurants, five Japan restaurants, and seven US restaurants.

The business reported that in the first quarter of FY26, its total network sales grew by 18.6% to $330.6 million, with Australian network sales increasing by 17.4% to $305.5 million, Asian network sales rising 29.1% to $20.8 million, and US sales increasing by 65%.

With comparable sales growth currently at mid-single digits, the existing restaurant network is growing sales at a pleasing pace.

Excitingly, the ASX growth stock is hoping to reach 1,000 Australian restaurants within the next 20 years, which could deliver significant growth for investors.

In FY26, the company's margins are expected to rise. Australia segment underlying operating profit (EBITDA) as a percentage of network sales is expected to expand to between 5.9% to 6.3% in FY26, up from 5.7% in FY25. With strong prospects for network sales growth and rising margins, I think the bottom line is headed a lot higher.

As a bonus, the recently announced $100 million share buyback can help increase the underlying value of each GYG share.

Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA)

Tuas is another ASX growth stock that I'm very bullish about. It's a telecommunications business based in Singapore.

It's growing really quickly, with the company attracting customers with its value proposition for mobile prices at various price points. In FY25 alone, revenue jumped 29% and EBITDA soared 38%, demonstrating how operating leverage is helping increase profit margins.

The rising profitability is one of the main reasons why I'm so bullish on the company's future. Not only can the company's revenue rise significantly, but the net profit could rise at a much faster pace.

Tuas is working on growing its market share organically, and it's acquiring the Singapore competitor M1. The acquisition is expected to significantly add to earnings per share (EPS) for owners of Tuas shares from year one. The business Tuas is acquiring made a net profit of S$74.3 million in the prior 12 months, excluding any synergy benefits between the two businesses.

I believe that Tuas and M1 can grow their combined market share in Singapore over the next few years, delivering scale benefits and strong growth in the bottom line.

If Tuas eventually expands in a meaningful way to another country, such as Malaysia or Indonesia, it could significantly increase the ASX growth stock's total addressable market.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Guzman Y Gomez and Tuas. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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