DQ® History, Headquarters & About Us | Dairy Queen®

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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.

 

 

Our Story

  • 1940: First Dairy Queen® restaurant opens in Joliet, Illinois.
  • 1949: Malts and shakes debut.
  • 1951: Banana splits appear on the menu.
  • 1953: First Dairy Queen restaurant opens in Canada.
  • 1955: The Dilly® Bar debuts.
  • 1957: The Dairy Queen Brazier® concept is introduced.
  • 1959: First Dairy Queen restaurant opens in Panama.   
  • 1962: International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) is formed. 
  • 1968: The Buster Bar® Treat appears on the menu.
  • 1971: Peanut Buster® Parfait debuts on the menu.
  • 1979: First Dairy Queen restaurant opens in the Middle East.
  • 1984: Partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Children’s Miracle Network begins. 
  • 1985: Blizzard® Treats are introduced.
  • 1988: IDQ purchases Orange Julius® Brand
  • 1991: First Dairy Queen restaurant opens in Mexico.
  • 1992: First Dairy Queen restaurant opens in China.
  • 1995: DQ Treatzza Pizza® and Chicken Strip Basket debut.
  • 1998: IDQ acquired by Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
  • 2003: The Blizzard of the Month program kicks off.
  • 2005: GrillBurgers are introduced.
  • 2006: First Miracle Treat Day in Canada and the U.S.
  • 2010: Mini Blizzard Treats are introduced.
  • 2015: The DQ system celebrates its 75th Fanniversary.
  • 2018: DQ mobile app launches.
  • 2019: First DQ restaurant with the Next Gen design opens.
  • 2020: The Non-Dairy Dilly® Bar debuts.
 

 

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COMPANY OVERVIEW

International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), headquartered 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 7,500 locations in 20 countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Children's Miracle Network animal therapy in Portland

Corporate citizenship

Bringing health and happiness to kids everywhere
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