One quick service restaurant chain is putting their money where their customers’ mouths are when it comes to franchise development.
Today, International Dairy Queen, Inc., the Minneapolis-based parent company of both the American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada Inc., announced a cash incentive program that will reward franchisees for opening new Dairy Queen Grill & Chill locations.
Under the new program, new and existing Dairy Queen franchisees can earn a $150,000 cash incentive for opening a freestanding Grill & Chill restaurant and $200,000 for each additional location they launch within 18 months of their previous opening.
“This initiative is designed to support franchisees who are ready to grow with the brand and have a solid development strategy in place,” said Gregg Benvenuto, International Dairy Queen’s vice president, franchise development, U.S. & Canada. “Modern, flexible prototypes combined with the legacy of the Dairy Queen brand create a compelling opportunity for talented operators.”
The first Dairy Queen opened in Joiliet, Illinois in 1940 and launched a franchise model just four years later. Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., acquired the brand in 1998 for approximately $585 million and maintains ownership to this day.
International Dairy Queen’s footprint currently includes nearly 7,900 restaurants, including over 4,300 in the United States and more than 675 in Canada. Their brand is active in more than 20 different countries.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill is a quick service restaurant concept first launched in 2001 whose menu goes beyond ice cream and shakes to include popular options like chicken tenders, burgers, and other family-pleasing treats. The brand estimates that it takes about 18 months for a potential new franchisee to progress from initial application to opening. To provide flexibility, Dairy Queen offers three different models for Grill & Chill locations: a 46-seat option, a 34-seat option, and an option with minimal indoor seating and a 24-seat patio.
With this new initiative announced, Dairy Queen is looking to engage current and prospective franchisees who want to bring affordable, family-oriented dining options to their communities. They say their ideal franchisee has a deep passion for operations, a strong commitment to their brand, and strong business acumen, particularly as it relates to knowledge of their local market. Previous restaurant experience is ideal.
For more information about franchise opportunities with Dairy Queen, visit https://www.dairyqueenfranchising.com.
