Whether you’re a lover of the classic blizzard ice cream snack, or you’re more of a burger fan, Dairy Queen has been satisfying customers since its original location opened nearly 90 years ago. The chain has been around the block a few times, with various renditions and branding changes. DQ: Orange Julius once dominated malls and indoor shopping centers, though that concept isn’t the trendy beverage destination it once was. Now, the latest name branding is DQ Grill & Chill. Signaling you’ll be able to enjoy both ice cream snacks and grilled, hot meals, a new DQ Grill and Chill has officially opened in Mesa.
The very first Dairy Queen opened in Illinois all the way back in 1940. This pre-dates most other major fast food chains in the country by a solid decade (at least). The original location eventually closed down the following decade, and the father and son duo who launched the original decided to expand via franchise. Franchising is what has helped Dairy Queen become the popular destination it now is, as there are over 4,000 DQ locations (of some variation) scattered around the United States and another 6,000 in other pockets of the world.