Feb 20 (Reuters) - Australia-listed Mexican fast-food chain Guzman y Gomez GYG.AX reported a 45% jump in first-half profit on Friday, driven by strong sales in its domestic market and the U.S., where it opened two new restaurants.

The company reported a net profit after tax of A$10.6 million ($7.48 million) for the half-year ended December 31, compared with A$7.3 million a year ago. It also beat an Visible Alpha consensus of A$9.2 million.

($1 = 1.4168 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda)

((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com;))