For more information about the initial investment, check out our Investment Opportunity page, or contact us directly about receiving our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

DQ Grill & Chill® restaurants: 4% continuing license fees and 5-6% sales promotion program fee. Please see Item 6 in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) for detailed information.

We can refer you to financial institutions that have previous lending experience with DQ Grill & Chill® restaurants and franchise concepts. For Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, choose lenders who have national Preferred Lender Program (PLP) status which helps streamline the financing process. PLP Lenders and Express Lenders have approval authority, which significantly improves timelines for review and approval. If you choose to work with local or state lenders, be certain to verify that they have PLP or Express status.

Basic qualifications to become a DQ Grill & Chill® franchise owner include:

• Minimum of $400,000 liquid capital
• Minimum $750,000 net worth
• With or without prior experience in quick service restaurants or franchising
• Share the DQ® mission, vision, and values

An ideal DQ Grill & Chill® franchise candidate can come from a wide range of backgrounds. We look for successful businesspeople who are leaders in their communities, proven experience in building and developing teams, and who meet or exceed our minimum financial qualifications. Candidates will also need to find a qualified operating partner with QSR drive-thru experience and build, retain, and maintain a successful management team.

Yes. Begin a conversation with the Dairy Queen® franchise development team to learn more about potential incentives available to qualifying new DQ Grill & Chill® restaurant developments. Fill out our request form to get started.

Here's what you can expect from the DQ^® franchise pre-approval process:

1. Financial review, cash verification, and background checks
2. Field meetings with our Franchise Development team
3. Interviews with our Operations leadership team

Yes. American Dairy Queen Corporation seeks franchisees qualified to pursue multi-unit ownership. Many DQ® franchise owners operate multiple restaurants. Multiple-Trade Area Reservation Agreements are considered based on operational performance and capability, financial strength, and market availability, requiring additional approvals.

Franchisees are actively involved in identifying potential locations; however, all sites must meet DQ Grill & Chill® standards, align with market strategy, and receive formal DQ® committee approval.

Yes. The Dairy Queen® franchise development team supports franchisees throughout the site selection process by providing guidance, market evaluation, and site review. All sites require approval by the Dairy Queen® franchise development committee before moving forward.

Simply fill out our request form. We invite you to contact us or explore our website for more information about the steps to owning a DQ Grill & Chill® franchise.

Our specialized teams can help you through every step of the development process, from the first conversation through your grand opening and beyond. After opening, we'll continue to help you market your restaurant and support you as you grow your business. Learn more about how we support our franchisees.

Our operations consulting team will work with you to determine the management and staff necessary to support business needs.

American Dairy Queen Corporation provides comprehensive training for franchisees and key operators, along with tools and resources to support team training and ongoing operations. Training focuses on brand standards, food quality, operational execution, and guest experience to help franchisees build and maintain strong teams.

Here's what you can expect from the DQ Grill & Chill® franchise pre-approval process:

• Financial review, cash verification, and background checks
• Field meetings with our franchise development team
• Interviews with our operations leadership team

The approval timeline depends on application completeness, financial review, and alignment with available markets. The Dairy Queen® franchise development team guides candidates through each step of the process once qualified.

The time required to open a DQ Grill & Chill® restaurant varies depending on the market, site selection, construction timelines, and local approvals. While each project is unique, the average timeline from initial application to opening is approximately 18 months. Dairy Queen® works closely with franchisees throughout every stage of the development process to help move the restaurant toward opening as efficiently as possible. Learn more about the steps to ownership.

It is important that owners live in the market where they want to operate DQ Grill & Chill® restaurants.

International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses, and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

Most DQ® restaurants raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®, supporting kids in their communities who receive care through the local hospital. Many DQ® restaurants also support the community in other ways, such as donating to local organizations and sponsoring youth sports teams.

American Dairy Queen Corporation and our employees invest in charitable partners that touch a wide range of critical issues, including children’s health, youth mentorship, youth leadership and career training, hunger relief, and inclusion for people with disabilities. At the corporate level, ADQ supports our nationwide partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® and partners with several local nonprofits, all aligned to our mission of supporting youth and families so they can reach their full potential.

Our Mission: To create positive memories for all who touch DQ®

Our Vision: To be the world’s favorite quick-service restaurant

Our Values:

• Better Together: We collaborate with and are accountable to each other, our company, and communities.
• Forward Thinking: We anticipate change and translate strategic ideas into action to build a strong future for our company.
• Inclusive & Diverse: We believe in and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.
• Empowered: We strive for continuous improvement, making decisions to influence and advance change and develop better solutions.

Orientation Day is an integral part of the new DQ Grill & Chill® restaurant development process.

This day is an opportunity for invitees to immerse themselves in the Dairy Queen® brand and its values, meet with company leaders and franchisees, and come away with clear next steps to making their new restaurant a success. This invitation-only event takes place at the Franchisee Support Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Yes. Qualified candidates receive the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) during the evaluation process. The FDD provides detailed information about fees, obligations, and the franchise system.

Yes! American Dairy Queen Corporation encourages prospective franchisees to speak with existing franchise owners. The franchise disclosure document (FDD) provides contact information for existing and former Dairy Queen® franchisees.