Is DAIRY QUEEN a good franchise to buy?

DAIRY QUEEN shows several positive indicators: low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.

DAIRY QUEEN

Dairy Queen is a franchise specializing in soft-serve ice cream products like Blizzards and sundaes, along with fast food items such as burgers, fries, and chicken. This specific FDD pertains to DQ of MT/ND, operating a regional franchising model for locations in Montana and North Dakota. The target market includes families, youth, and customers seeking quick, indulgent treats and casual meals.

Food & BeverageDisclaimer

Franchise Costs

Franchise Fee

N/A

Item 5 of FDD

Initial Investment Range

N/A

Item 7 of FDD

Royalty Rate

N/A

Brand Fund

N/A

Item 6 of FDD

How DAIRY QUEEN Compares

Franchise	Investment	Fee	Royalty	Locations
DAIRY QUEEN Current	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
MCDONALD'S	$1.5M – $2.6M	$45K	N/A	12,772
AFC	$45K – $151K	$6K	9.5%	3,572
SONIC DRIVE-IN	$1.7M – $3.1M	$15K	5.0%	3,441
JIMMY JOHN'S	$366K – $728K	$35K	6.0%	2,647
ARBY'S	$645K – $2.5M	$38K	4.0%	2,316
Fast Food Average 126 franchises	$594K – $1.5M	$35K	6.1%	–

* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 126 Fast Food franchises by location count.

SBA Loan History

Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for DAIRY QUEEN franchisees (2010 – 2025)

Total Loans

581

Average Loan

$578,958

Total Volume

$336.4M

Default Rate

1.6%

Loans by Year

SBA 7(a) loan activity over time

* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.

Due Diligence

Litigation (Item 3)

Franchisee CasesN/A

Bankruptcy (Item 4)

Bankruptcy HistoryN/A

System Health (Item 20)

Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year

Terminations

N/A

Non-Renewals

N/A

Reacquired

N/A

Ceased Ops

N/A

Transfers

N/A

Sold to Franchisees

N/A

Projected New

N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, SBA loans are available for DAIRY QUEEN franchises. Historical data shows 581 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for DAIRY QUEEN franchisees, with an average loan amount of $578,958. The historical default rate is 1.6%.