Dairy Queen Grill & Chill

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill is a well-established quick-service restaurant brand known for its blend of classic American fast food and signature frozen desserts. The company was founded in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois, by John Fremont McCullough, Alex McCullough, and Sherb Noble, who were instrumental in pioneering soft-serve ice cream. This innovation laid the foundation for the brand's rapid expansion through franchising. In the early 2000s, Dairy Queen introduced the Grill & Chill concept, which modernized its offerings by incorporating a wider range of hot foods like burgers, chicken strips, and sandwiches, alongside its beloved Blizzards and cones.

Today, Dairy Queen Grill & Chill operates as a key division of International Dairy Queen, Inc., under the ownership of Berkshire Hathaway since 1998. The company is headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, and as of November 2025, it operates over 6,800 locations worldwide. This includes approximately 4,500 stores in the United States, with a significant presence in Canada, Asia, and the Middle East. Over the past five years, the brand has focused on international expansion and enhancing its store formats to improve the customer experience.

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill is actively expanding in suburban and small-town areas, with a strong emphasis on Texas and the Midwest. The company is also exploring opportunities in urban and international markets. For commercial real estate professionals, Dairy Queen Grill & Chill is an attractive tenant due to its extensive scale, strong brand recognition, and adaptable store formats. The brand's robust franchising system, backed by the financial strength of Berkshire Hathaway, and its commitment to innovation in both menu and design, make it a reliable and appealing option for landlords and developers looking for a high-traffic restaurant brand.