Why Is It Called Dairy Queen? The Story of the Name and Who Owns DQ
Dairy Queen is called Dairy Queen because its creator thought his soft serve was the “queen” of all dairy treats. J.F. “Grandpa” McCullough, who came up with the recipe, picked the royal name. The first Dairy Queen opened in Joliet, Illinois, in 1940, and today the chain is owned by Warren Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway.
Here is the full story, from a test sale in a small ice cream shop to more than 6,000 restaurants around the world.
Who came up with the Dairy Queen name?
J.F. McCullough named it. He and his son Alex made a soft, creamy frozen dessert in 1938. It was served colder and softer than regular hard ice cream. McCullough was so proud of it that he said it was a queen among dairy products. That is where “Dairy Queen” came from.
The short name “DQ” came later. It is just the first letters of Dairy Queen, and today it is used on signs, cups and the app.
How did Dairy Queen start?
It started with a test. In 1938, the McCulloughs asked their friend Sherb Noble to sell the new soft serve at his ice cream shop in Kankakee, Illinois. On the first day, he sold more than 1,600 servings in about two hours. People clearly loved it.
Two years later, on June 22, 1940, Sherb Noble opened the very first Dairy Queen in Joliet, Illinois. That first store closed in the 1950s, but the building is still there and is now a city landmark.
Who owns Dairy Queen today?
Berkshire Hathaway owns Dairy Queen. That is the big company run for many years by famous investor Warren Buffett. It bought International Dairy Queen in 1998. Buffett is a real fan of DQ treats, and he often talks about them.
Most Dairy Queen restaurants are run by franchisees, which means local owners run them under the DQ name. The company’s main office is in Bloomington, Minnesota. It also owns Orange Julius, the smoothie and drink brand you see in many malls.
Dairy Queen facts at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Soft serve invented | 1938, by J.F. McCullough and his son Alex |
| First test sale | Sherb Noble’s shop in Kankakee, Illinois |
| First Dairy Queen | June 22, 1940, in Joliet, Illinois |
| Owner | Berkshire Hathaway, since 1998 |
| Headquarters | Bloomington, Minnesota |
| Restaurants | About 6,800 worldwide |
| Blizzard launched | 1985 |
What does “Brazier” mean on old Dairy Queen signs?
A brazier is another word for a charcoal grill. Older Dairy Queen signs said “Brazier” when the store also sold hot food, like burgers and hot dogs, not just ice cream. Today, many stores use the name “DQ Grill & Chill” for the same idea.
When did Dairy Queen start selling Blizzards?
The Blizzard arrived in 1985, more than 40 years after DQ opened. It was a huge hit. Reports say DQ sold more than 175 million Blizzards in the first year alone.
Many stores still flip a Blizzard upside down before handing it to you, to show how thick it is. The idea came from a custard stand in St. Louis called Ted Drewes, where the owner’s son flipped thick “concretes” for customers. A Dairy Queen franchisee liked the idea and pitched the Blizzard. In the U.S., Oreo is the most popular flavor.
Is Dairy Queen soft serve a secret recipe?
Yes. Dairy Queen keeps its soft serve formula secret, a bit like Coca-Cola and KFC do with theirs. Reports say only a few people know the full recipe.
What to order at DQ
Want a Blizzard, a Dilly Bar or a Chicken Strip Basket? Check today’s prices on our Dairy Queen menu with prices. Craving more frozen treats? See the Baskin-Robbins menu, the Cold Stone Creamery menu, the Culver’s menu and the Sonic menu. You can also check Culver’s flavor of the day.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Dairy Queen?
Dairy Queen is called that because its creator, J.F. McCullough, said his soft serve was the queen of dairy products. The royal name stuck when the first store opened in 1940.
Who owns Dairy Queen?
Berkshire Hathaway, the company led for decades by Warren Buffett, owns Dairy Queen. It bought International Dairy Queen in 1998.
When and where was the first Dairy Queen?
The first Dairy Queen opened on June 22, 1940, in Joliet, Illinois. Sherb Noble ran it after testing the soft serve at his Kankakee shop in 1938.
Who invented Dairy Queen soft serve?
J.F. “Grandpa” McCullough and his son Alex created the soft serve recipe in 1938. Their friend Sherb Noble helped them launch it.
What does DQ stand for?
DQ stands for Dairy Queen. The company uses the short name on its signs, cups and app.
When did Dairy Queen start making Blizzards?
Dairy Queen started selling the Blizzard in 1985. It sold more than 175 million in the first year, according to reports.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
