1940:First Dairy Queen® store opens in Joliet, Illinois.
1949:DQ® introduces malts and shakes.
ABOUT US
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American Dairy Queen Corporation is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. DQ® operators have been providing consumers with crave-satisfying treats and food since 1940. See below for information regarding: History, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, DQ® Cares Product Grant Program, & Local Community Partnerships.
The founders of the Dairy Queen® system were men and women who introduced a new kind of dessert treat and, in the process, developed the foundation of the franchising industry. The history of the DQ® system is a story of a unique product that created an industry.
1940:First Dairy Queen® store opens in Joliet, Illinois.
1949:DQ® introduces malts and shakes.
1951: Banana splits appear on the menu.
1953: First DQ® store opens in Canada.
1955: The Dilly® Bar debuts.
1957: Dairy Queen® concept is introduced.
1958: Dairy Queen® food products are introduced.
1961: The Mr. Misty® slush treat cools throats in the warm South.
1962: International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) is formed.
1965: First national radio advertising sends DQ® message 169 million times a week.
1966: First national TV commercial, “Live a Little,” is aired.
1972: First DQ® store opens in Japan.
1973: Say the word “Scrumpdillyishus®!” and get a Peanut Buster® Parfait for 49 cents.
1980: “We Treat You Right®” tagline debuts.
1985: More than 175 million Blizzard® Treats sold in its first year.
1991: First DQ® store opens in Mexico.
1995: DQ® Treatzza Pizza® and the Chicken Strip Basket make their debut.
1999: Pecan Mudslide® Treat is introduced.
1999: Operator of several DQ in Massachusetts builds the world’s largest treat, weighing in at 5,316.6 pounds.
2001: Crispy Chicken Salad is introduced.
2001: The first DQ Grill & Chill® restaurant opens in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
2002: Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA Dallas Mavericks, becomes manager of a DQ® location in Texas for the day.
2003: The Blizzard® of the Month program kicks off.
2004: The MooLatte® Frozen Coffee Flavored Beverage line debuts in Mocha, Vanilla and Caramel flavors.
2004: Award-winning Dairy Queen® commercials can be seen throughout the country in the system’s first full year of national advertising.
2005: GrillBurgers™ are introduced to consumers on national TV.
2005: The record is broken on June 21, when a new World’s Largest Blizzard® Treat is built in Springfield, Massachusetts. It weighs 8,224.85 pounds and is 22 feet tall.