Dairy Queen

The Dairy Queen franchise is one of the most beloved and recognizable franchises in the world. With 95% name recognition, it is a household name in the U.S., Canada and 27 other countries. The company was founded in 1940 when Ice cream manufacturer J.F. McCullough experimented with a recipe for a new frozen dairy product, stemming from his belief that ice cream tasted better when it was soft and served fresh from the freezer, not frozen solid. Since beginning to franchise in 1940, the brand has grown to over 7,000 locations globally and makes everyone think of ice cream when they hear the world blizzard. 

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Dairy Queen Franchise Cost and Requirements for 2024

Background

Ice cream is a billion dollar business that is responsible for countless jobs. The average American consumers 23 pounds of ice cream and other frozen desserts annually. As you can see, it is an in-demand business that is worth investing in. One of the biggest ice cream franchises in the world is Dairy Queen. Founded in 1940 when Ice cream manufacturer J.F. McCullough experimented with a recipe for a new frozen dairy product, stemming from his belief that ice cream tasted better when it was soft and served fresh from the freezer, not frozen solid. In addition to ice cream, such as its signature Blizzard,  Dilly Bars, Waffle Cone Treats and Orange Julius smoothies,  the company also sells food like burgers, chicken fingers and French fries. The ice cream can be topped with Snickers pieces, Butterfinger chunks, chocolate chip cookie dough, berry cheesecake and other tempting sweets. The brand has been adding food to the menu since 2002, when Dairy Queen's Grill & Chill concept was introduced.
The company is looking for prospective candidates who have previous restaurant experience and a stellar reputation in the community. Additionally. franchisees can also expect assistance approved franchisees with virtually every step of development, from site planning and construction to post-launch operations and 365 marketing support. The brand sets itself apart from other ice-cream shops with its ultrathick soft serve ice-cream that can hang upside down without dropping from the glass. If you are looking to get your piece of the billion-dollar industry,  Dairy Queen can be the franchise for you.

Company Details

Founded: 1940
First Franchise: 1940
Canada: Yes
International: Yes 

Support and Training Offered By Dairy Queen

In terms of support and training, franchisees can expect 142 hours of on-the-job training, as well as 32 hours of classroom training related to brand operations.

2024 Franchise Requirements Needed to Own a Dairy Queen Franchise.

What does a Dairy Queen Franchise Cost?

Dairy Queen franchise fees for 2024:

Initial Franchise Fee $45,000
Initial Investment $1,151,155 - $1,936,655
Net Worth Requirement $750,000
Cash Requirement $400,000
Royalty Fee 4%
Ad Royalty Fee 5-6%
Term of Agreement 20 years

Is Dairy Queen a Semi Absentee Franchise with a Passive Ownership Opportunity?

No. Dairy Queen is not a semi absentee franchise. The owner of the franchise (the franchisee) is expected to be involved in all aspects of day-to-day operations.

Is Dairy Queen a Home Based franchise?

No. Dairy Queen is not a home based franchise opportunity.

What Do Dairy Queen Franchise Owners Make?

Click here to find out how much Dairy Queen franchisees make. Dairy Queen offers an Item 19 in their Franchise Disclosure Document which provides financial information about select franchisees in their franchise system.

Is Dairy Queen Looking for Franchisees in Canada?

Yes. Dairy Queen franchise is looking for Canada franchisees.

Is Dairy Queen Looking for International franchisees?

Yes. Dairy Queen franchise is looking for International franchisees.

Where can I see Dairy Queen's FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document)?

Buying a Franchise Guide: What is a Franchise Disclosure Document?

When evaluating a franchise opportunity, reading and understanding the current version of their FDD is a necessity. Considering the benefits of franchising, such as established brand recognition and support from the franchisor, it's important to also take into account franchise fees and franchising royalty fees. Since most franchisors are privately owned companies, the current versions of their FDDs are typically not available unless requested directly from them.

Click here to connect with a Franchise Consultant who can help you obtain a copy quickly and for free. They can also guide you through the essential franchise questions to ask, ensuring you make a well-informed decision about your investment.

Additional Information

Additional Categories

Frozen Yogurt / Ice Cream

Number of Units Open

100+ UNITS

Cash Required

More than $250,000

Passive Franchise

No

Home Based Franchise

No

Item 19 Franchise

Yes

B2B

No

Franchise Opportunities in Canada

Yes

International Franchise Opportunities

Yes

Dairy Queen Franchises for Sale

Click Here to inquire about existing Dairy Queen franchises for sale. We may have Dairy Queen franchise resales. A franchise resale is an already established franchise owned by a franchisee and the franchisee is looking to sell their franchise.

The International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG) is an internationally recognized membership-based franchise organization. IFPG Franchise Consultants guide aspiring business owners through the process of identifying and investing in franchise businesses. The IFPG represents more than 550 franchises. We do not represent all franchises listed here. By clicking on "Request a Consultation," you are agreeing to be contacted by one of our Certified Franchise Consultants to discuss franchise ownership.

About our rankings: The IFPG uses its internal data collected from our membership portal to identify which franchises had the most activity in the past week. This ranking system is not based on franchise sales, franchisee success rates or number of units open. Our ranking system should not be used to make a decision on which franchise to buy it was solely created for internal purposes and for our IFPG Members.