Dairy Queen Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Dairy Queen is a fast-food franchise known for its soft-serve ice cream, Blizzard treats, and burgers, offering a menu of indulgent treats and satisfying meals.

Dairy Queen, a well-known and cherished franchise in the realm of frozen desserts, has been enchanting customers with its iconic ice cream and fast-food selections for over seventy years. Established in 1940 by John Fremont McCullough in Joliet, Illinois, Dairy Queen has woven itself into the fabric of American culture.

With its headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the brand prides itself on a legacy of delivering smiles through a varied and delectable menu.

Beginning its franchising journey in 1944, Dairy Queen embarked on its path to becoming a global franchise powerhouse. The brand is celebrated for its soft-serve ice cream, Blizzard treats, classic milkshakes, burgers, hot dogs, and an array of fast-food choices.

The hallmark of Dairy Queen is its famous Blizzard, a delightful mix of ice cream with a variety of toppings and mix-ins, providing customers with a unique and irresistible dessert experience.

Moreover, Dairy Queen's motto, "Fan Food, Not Fast Food," underscores its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, distinguishing it in the quick-service restaurant sector.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $45,000
ALTA Survey and/or Site Investigation Report (SIR) $0 - $5,000
Initial Training Fees and Costs $1,200 - $12,600
Travel and Living Expenses for Training Programs $23,000 - $42,950
Building, Construction and Leasehold Improvements $800,000 - $1,400,000
Construction Consultation Services $0 - $7,500
Building Plans, Design Intent Plans and Architectural Seal $15,000 - $60,000
Equipment (includes signs and point-of-sale systems) $550,000 - $700,000
Training Inventory $6,000 - $12,000
Opening Inventory $20,000 - $35,000
Utility Deposits, Business Licenses and Government Charges $4,000 - $17,000
Attorneys’ Fees $1,000 - $8,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months $51,000 - $198,000
Total (for reference) $1,516,200 - $2,543,050
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $45,000
ALTA Survey and/or Site Investigation Report (SIR) $0 - $5,000
Initial Training Fees and Costs $1,200 - $12,600
Travel and Living Expenses for Training Programs $23,000 - $42,950
Building, Construction and Leasehold Improvements $800,000 - $1,400,000
Construction Consultation Services $0 - $7,500
Building Plans, Design Intent Plans and Architectural Seal $15,000 - $60,000
Equipment (includes signs and point-of-sale systems) $550,000 - $700,000
Training Inventory $6,000 - $12,000
Opening Inventory $20,000 - $35,000
Utility Deposits, Business Licenses and Government Charges $4,000 - $17,000
Attorneys’ Fees $1,000 - $8,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months $51,000 - $198,000
Total (for reference) $1,516,200 - $2,543,050

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

Dairy Queen offers a thorough initial training program for franchisees and their teams, aimed at ensuring they are well-prepared to operate a Dairy Queen franchise successfully.

Initial Training Components

ADQ's Initial Training: This primary training segment is divided into three phases, covering operational procedures, product preparation, customer service, and management practices specific to Dairy Queen standards.

Management Training Readiness Assessment (MTRA): An evaluation to confirm readiness for management roles within a Dairy Queen franchise.

SERVSAFE Course: A mandatory food safety course to ensure all trainees adhere to food handling and safety regulations.

Training Requirements

Trainees: At least three individuals per store, including the designated manager and two assistant managers, must complete the entire training program. Dairy Queen may also offer additional training options, such as EPOS (Electronic Point Of Sale) training, at its discretion.

Territory Protection

Dairy Queen typically does not grant protected territories to subfranchisees under its operating agreements. Instead, a subfranchisee is given the right to operate a store or restaurant at a specified location, without any promise from Dairy Queen to avoid establishing new stores or restaurants nearby.

However, there may be instances where Dairy Queen, at its discretion, opts not to open a new store or restaurant close to an existing one.

This policy means that while franchisees are assigned a specific location for their Dairy Queen store or restaurant, they do not receive exclusive territorial rights preventing Dairy Queen from granting additional subfranchises or operating competing businesses within the area.

Competitors

Below are some of

Dairy Queen

key competitors in the

Ice Cream

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
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Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

1969

New
+
0%
0%

$45,000

$1,516,000

$2,543,000

n.a.

$1,355,000

$xxx,xxx

69.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Yogurtland

Yogurtland is a self-serve frozen-yogurt franchise offering premium flavors, toppings, customization and café environment, serving dessert lovers and families, and known for global reach, brand strength and franchisee-friendly model.

Franchisees

?

194
+
-3%
-3%
Investment

?

$232,000 - $637,000

MILLIE’S HOMEMADE

MILLIE’S HOMEMADE is a bakery-café franchise offering cookies, brownies, desserts and café beverages, serving family-friendly shoppers and gift buyers, and known for made-from-scratch recipes, warm ambiance and scalable franchise design.

Franchisees

?

4
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$65,000 - $485,000

Winchell's Donut House

Winchell's Donut House is a bakery-café franchise offering donuts, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee, serving morning commuters and late-night guests, and known for classic selections, fresh bakes, and neighborhood convenience.

Franchisees

?

105
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$3,000 - $72,000

Sloan's

Sloan's is an ice cream and sweets franchise offering premium ice creams, chocolates, candy, and bakery items, serving families and dessert lovers, and known for whimsical décor, indulgent flavors, and a playful, imaginative experience.

Franchisees

?

4
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$581,000 - $1,503,000

Hokulia Shave Ice

Hokulia Shave Ice is a dessert franchise offering authentic Hawaiian shave ice with tropical syrups and add-ons, serving families and event guests, and known for generous portions, beach-inspired branding, and mobile catering flexibility.

Franchisees

?

49
+
4%
4%
Investment

?

$86,000 - $930,000

Tifa

Tifa is a dessert & café franchise offering artisan gelato, chocolates, espressos, pastries, and sweets, serving dessert aficionados and café guests, and known for its warm café atmosphere, handcrafted flavors, and community focus. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Franchisees

?

9
+
200%
200%
Investment

?

$500,000 - $676,000