Prices last updated: October 28, 2026
How many Dairy Queen locations are there, and where are they? Here are the latest official numbers from International Dairy Queen, where DQ operates, the different kinds of Dairy Queen restaurants and how to find the one nearest you.
How many Dairy Queen locations are there?
International Dairy Queen says there are more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries. In October 2026, the store locator on dairyqueen.com listed about 4,190 locations in the United States, and Dairy Queen Canada has about 700 restaurants across Canada. The rest are spread across the other countries where DQ operates, including many in Asia.
| Dairy Queen restaurants | Approximate count (2026) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide | More than 7,800 |
| United States | About 4,190 |
| Canada | About 700 |
| Countries | More than 20 |
Sources: International Dairy Queen company facts and the dairyqueen.com U.S. store locator, October 2026. Counts change as stores open and close.
Where are Dairy Queens most common?
Dairy Queen started in the Midwest and is especially common in small and mid-size towns across the central U.S., the South and Texas, where it has long been a local hangout. You will find fewer DQs in big coastal cities. Texas restaurants also serve a regional “Taste of Texas” menu with items you won’t see elsewhere.
Kinds of Dairy Queen locations
- DQ Grill & Chill: full menu with burgers, chicken strips and treats, dine-in seating and a drive-thru.
- Classic full-menu DQs: older restaurants that serve food, sometimes with regional items.
- DQ Treat stores: walk-up, mall, kiosk and seasonal stores that sell Blizzards, cones, shakes and cakes but no hot food.
See DQ Grill & Chill vs. DQ Treat for how to tell them apart.
Is Dairy Queen a franchise?
Yes. Almost every Dairy Queen is owned and operated by an independent franchisee, which is why prices, hours and some menu items vary from store to store. International Dairy Queen, the parent company, is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.
Dairy Queen history in brief
The first Dairy Queen opened on June 22, 1940, in Joliet, Illinois, run by Sherb Noble, selling soft serve. The first Canadian DQ opened in Estevan, Saskatchewan, in 1953. The Dilly Bar arrived in 1955, the Peanut Buster Parfait in the 1970s and the Blizzard, now DQ’s best-known treat, in 1985.
Find a Dairy Queen location near you
Search “Dairy Queen near me” or “DQ near me” in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or use the DQ app or the locator on dairyqueen.com to see hours, menus and order ahead. Our Dairy Queen near me guide walks through every option, and Dairy Queen hours covers opening times. Then plan your order with the DQ menu with prices.
Dairy Queen locations FAQ
How many Dairy Queens are there in the world?
More than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries, according to International Dairy Queen.
How many Dairy Queens are in the United States?
About 4,190, based on the dairyqueen.com store locator in October 2026.
Where was the first Dairy Queen?
In Joliet, Illinois. It was run by Sherb Noble and opened on June 22, 1940.
Who owns Dairy Queen?
International Dairy Queen, Inc., based in Minneapolis, is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Almost all stores are run by independent franchisees.