Dairy Queen Franchise
The king of frozen treats, Dairy Queen is the beloved American franchise brand behind popular Blizzard treats and Orange Julius smoothies.
$400,000
$35,000
3,106
1962
Minneapolis,MN
Troy A. Bader
About Dairy Queen
Mentioning the word “blizzard” almost immediately brings to mind visions of Oreo-filled ice-cream in the mind of many people. Dairy Queen’s signature Blizzards, Dilly Bars, Waffle Cone Treats and Orange Julius smoothies are legendary. One thing that sets this brand apart from other ice-cream shops is its ultrathick soft serve ice-cream that can hang upside down without dropping from the glass.
Blizzard treats feature numerous ice-cream flavors mixed with popular toppings such as Snickers pieces, Butterfinger chunks, chocolate chip cookie dough, berry cheesecake and other tempting sweets. Dairy Queen is also well-known for its frozen cakes made by hand for special social occasions.
In 2002, Dairy Queen added the DQ Grill & Chill theme to its restaurants, expanding the hot selections on its menus. Consumers can order a variety of tasty burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken strips and salads.
Franchise Unit Trends & Revenue
3,106
38
$1,427,281
* in 2024
Franchise Fees
$35,000
4.0%
Gross Sales
5.0% - 6.0%
Gross Sales
Why Choose Dairy Queen?
A major benefit of the Dairy Queen brand is its global appeal. Dairy Queen is a household name in the U.S., Canada and in many other countries, maintaining about 95% brand recognition. This makes it easy to attract attention with new locations since owners gain immediate access to a loyal following. DQ Treats, iconic Blizzards and Orange Julius offerings are beloved to Americans in general, and they enjoy ample popularity among virtually all age groups.
The globe-spanning brand is one of the largest in the QSR sector, so franchisees have the backing of an industry powerhouse with many decades of experience and an excellent reputation for franchising. Dairy Queen assists approved franchisees with virtually every step of development, from site planning and construction to post-launch operations and 365 marketing support.
This help comes via dedicated departments with industry pros. The franchise development team assists with market analysis and site selection, while the design team performs architectural planning and construction oversight. After launch, the DQ marketing team takes point on ecommerce and print marketing campaigns.
Starting Costs & Investment Requirements
$1,090,225 - $1,849,525
$750,000
$400,000
Training & Support
Dairy Queen provides approved franchisees with 142 hours of on-the-job training and 32 hours of classroom training related to brand operations. Third-party MTRA training and SERVSAFE certification is coordinated and required, but not offered by DQ directly.
History
The Dairy Queen brand has been around for over 75 years. Many moms and dads have memories of visiting DQ locations for frozen treats with their own parents and grandparents. New products have been launched since then, but the classic Blizzard treats, Peanut Buster Parfaits and Buster Bars are still around to delight consumers.
The first Dairy Queen opened in 1938 in Kankakee, Illinois. Only three years later, there were 10 spots for the frozen ice-cream desserts. Between 1947 and 1950, almost 1,400 new Dairy Queens opened across the country. Today, the DQ brand is an international hit with 6,800+ locations in 29 countries, including Canada. In the U.S., there are over 4,400 Dairy Queen units in all 50 states.
Ideal Candidate
Dairy Queen looks for franchisees with previous entrepreneurial experience. Prior franchising experience in the QSR industry is a plus, but it’s not required. However, potential owners should know their way around real estate, business oversight and restaurant operations.
The ideal candidate is a solid leader with an excellent reputation in the local community. Franchisees also need to meet the minimum net worth requirements and liquid capital requirements. It’s important to note that all of these requirements (including restaurant management experience) can be met through business partnership or hiring of correct personnel. That provides some flexibility for people who have the potential to be amazing entrepreneurs but are worried about not meeting the minimums.
Above all, applicants should show passion for the Dairy Queen brand. Having experience is a significant plus, but showing the drive to take business operations to the next level is equally vital. Generally speaking, the more DQ locations a franchisee wishes to open, the more intensive the vetting process.
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