Since its founding in 1940, Dairy Queen (DQ) has become a world-renowned fast food chain. Not only does it offer a wide variety of hot and fried foods, it is also famous for its unique ice cream products. Many people have spent countless wonderful times in DQ restaurants, but have you ever thought about what unknown stories and secrets are behind these classic products?
Dairy Queen's roots can be traced back to 1938, when John Fremont McCullough and his son Alex first developed the soft-serve ice cream recipe. The innovation was first introduced in Sherb Noble's ice cream shop, and the results were astonishing, with more than 1,600 servings sold within two hours of opening day, marking the beginning of Dairy Queen's history.
“It’s not just ice cream, it’s also a symbol of social culture.”
In 1940, the first Dairy Queen store opened in Joliet, Illinois, and then expanded rapidly. By 1955, Dairy Queen had more than 2,600 stores. These stores have become a part of small town social life in the United States. Many writers and film and television works use Dairy Queen as the background to reflect every detail of small town life.
Over time, DQ has continued to innovate its products and expand its menu. The classic Blizzard has become DQ's signature product since its launch in 1985. Customers rave about its unique taste and rich flavor options, and in 2020, DQ reported that it had launched more than 170 different flavors of Blizzard.
Dilly Bar has been one of DQ's classic ice cream bars since its launch in 1955, while Buster Bar, introduced in 1962, has become popular for its unique flavor structure. Dairy Queen does not use the term "ice cream" but calls it "frozen dairy products" because DQ's soft serve ice cream contains only 5% butterfat, while the US FDA's standard for ice cream requires at least 10% butterfat.
The Dairy Queen brand has gone through several changes. In addition to traditional desserts, DQ has also introduced new dining concepts, such as DQ Grill & Chill, a new type of store that offers hot food, ice cream and a family-style dining experience. This transformation was first implemented in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2001. To this day, DQ continues to promote market innovation, regularly launching new flavors and new products to attract customers' attention.
"Every time DQ launches a new product, it is a challenge to the customers' taste buds."
Dairy Queen is not only focusing on its ice cream products, but also introducing sustainable food choices throughout its supply chain. For example, since 2016, DQ has pledged to use only eggs from certified cage-free egg suppliers by 2025, demonstrating its concern and responsibility for animal welfare.
Dairy Queen's creative advertising is also quite topical. Characters such as "Little Miss Dairy Queen" and "Dennis the Menace" were once the soul of DQ advertisements. In 2021, DQ launched a creative advertisement featuring "Big Mouth" and food to make customers remember DQ's brand positioning. "Fan Food, Not Fast Food" has become a powerful declaration of DQ in the market, aiming to convey the idea that DQ is not just a fast food restaurant, but a place that welcomes family and friends to gather.
ConclusionFrom the birth of soft serve ice cream to the popularity of Blizzard, Dairy Queen has always been a trendsetter in innovation. It is not only a brand, but also a carrier of culture and emotion. When you enjoy ice cream at DQ, you might as well think about the stories and heritage behind it. How many little-known secrets are hidden behind these delicious products?