Written by: Samantha Noble, Marketing Manager
DQ Expo
At the beginning of January, Retail Tech will be hitting the road for sunny San Diego to exhibit at the Dairy Queen Expo. Naturally, we are bummed to leave the frigid temperatures in snowy Minnesota this time of year. As you would imagine, it is a tough job – but someone has to do it.
Dairy Queen History
In preparation for the Expo, my curiosity about DQ has found me digging into the company history. Everyone has a story, and I want to know what makes Dairy Queen so successful. One thing I do know is that in passing that vibrant sign (which seems to be on every corner), my mouth starts to water and my car veers uncontrollably toward the restaurant. Sound familiar? You would think it was another one of Pavlov’s experiments… who needs dogs when humans react the same way?
Turns out, aside from providing the best soft serve ice cream combinations imaginable, Dairy Queen has a rich history and much to offer the hospitality industry. As most great restaurants, DQ began as a small operation – started by a father and son and a gentlemen by the name of Sherb Noble (a distant relative, I am sure) sold their soft frozen dairy product out of Noble’s walk-in ice cream store in 1938. Immediately, people were hooked. Now, more than 74 years later, DQ has over 5,900 restaurants in theUS,Canada, and 20 foreign countries.
Franchise System
Maybe the most interesting piece of DQ’s success lies in their development of the restaurant franchise system. A staple to the hospitality industry, franchising allows for small restaurants to thrive while already having a pre-set, proven business model. It is pure genius, and the foundation for the hospitality sector can be attributed to Dairy Queen.
After learning more about this company’s rich past, I will believe in the slogan “At DQ Good Isn’t Good Enough” for more than a tagline. It is the foundation of the company and what they truly provide. I am proud to say that Retail Tech currently provides POS maintenance for a number of Dairy Queen Franchisees. We are looking forward to meeting more operators at the Expo, and want you to know, like your longstanding promise to us, “we will treat you right.”
Click Here to view the Dairy Queen Case with IDQ and Retail Tech.
