Who we are

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.

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.

Who we're looking for

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.

Training and 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.