How many DAIRY QUEEN franchise locations are there?

As of the 2026 FDD, DAIRY QUEEN has 74 franchise locations.

Can you get an SBA loan for a DAIRY QUEEN franchise?

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%.

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

FDD Year:

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.

Locations

$623K–$2782K

Investment

Food & BeverageDisclaimer

Franchise Costs

Franchise Fee

$25,000

Item 5 of FDD

Initial Investment Range

$623,000 – $2,782,200

Low: $623,000High: $2,782,200

Item 7 of FDD

Royalty Rate

4.00%

of gross sales

Brand Fund

5.00%

Item 6 of FDD

Fixed Monthly Fees

$110 – $213

Item 6 of FDD

4% royalty (Grill & Chill) or 5% (Treat) + 3-6% sales promotion (ad fund) + $10-80/mo internet + $1,200-1,600 annual ($100-133/mo) EPOS software support

How DAIRY QUEEN Compares

Franchise	Investment	Fee	Royalty	Locations
DAIRY QUEEN Current	$623K – $2.8M	$25K	4.0%	74
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 127 franchises	$593K – $1.5M	$35K	6.1%	–

* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 127 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.

Franchisee Contacts

423 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.

Name	Address	Phone	Email	SBA Loan
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC	123 Main St Anytown, CA 90210	(555) 123-4567	john@example.com	$350,000 2023 · Active
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC	123 Main St Anytown, CA 90210	(555) 123-4567	john@example.com	$350,000 2023 · Active
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC	123 Main St Anytown, CA 90210	(555) 123-4567	john@example.com	$350,000 2023 · Active
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC	123 Main St Anytown, CA 90210	(555) 123-4567	john@example.com	$350,000 2023 · Active
John Smith ABC Franchise LLC	123 Main St Anytown, CA 90210	(555) 123-4567	john@example.com	$350,000 2023 · Active

423 Contacts Available

Unlock all DAIRY QUEEN franchisee contacts with verified contact information

Due Diligence

Litigation (Item 3)

Franchisee Cases0

No litigation involving franchisees reported

Bankruptcy (Item 4)

Bankruptcy HistoryNo

No bankruptcy history reported

System Health (Item 20)

Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year

Terminations

Non-Renewals

Reacquired

Ceased Ops

Transfers

Sold to Franchisees

Projected New

Frequently Asked Questions

The total initial investment to open a DAIRY QUEEN franchise ranges from $623,000 to $2,782,200. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 4.0% of gross sales.