Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
1,985 locations (2025), +0.7% YoY(Item 20)
A Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) franchise requires an estimated total investment of $1,510,100 to $2,550,100, including a $45,000 initial franchise fee (2026 FDD, Item 7). Franchisees pay an ongoing royalty of 4% (Item 6). The 2026 FDD reports a median unit revenue of $1,413,799 for FY2025 (Item 19).
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Median Revenue (AUV)
$1,413,799
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19
Initial Investment
$1,510,100 – $2,550,100
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7
Franchise Fee
$45,000
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5
Royalty
4%
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6
Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) Franchise Key Facts
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $1,510,100 – $2,550,100Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7 | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5 | |
| Royalty | 4%Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6 | |
| Median Revenue (AUV) | $1,413,799Source: 2026 FDD, Item 19 | |
| Total Locations | 1,985 (2025)Source: Item 20 |
Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) Franchise Fees
Initial franchise fee(Item 5)
$45,000
Ongoing royalty(Item 6)
4%
National ad / brand fund(Item 6)
5% range
Buildout / construction(Item 7)
$800,000 – $1,400,000
Additional Item 5–6 fees (transfer, renewal, area development, and any veteran discounts) are not yet parsed on Franchable — see the brand's FDD for the full fee schedule.
About Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill)
DQ Grill & Chill® is a quick service restaurant franchise operated under the Dairy Queen® brand, offering a full line of DQ® soft-serve treats, food, and beverage menu items with indoor and outdoor seating. The franchise is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and is part of a global system of over 7,880 DQ® restaurants and stores.
What Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill)'s FDD Discloses
In 2025, Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill)'s franchised system recorded 45 franchised openings, 80 closures (Item 20).
Gross Sales by Performance TierSource: 2026 FDD Item 19
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Explore all brands →AUV Trend — Multi-Year Median Revenue
Additional Item 19 Analysis
Deeper Item 19 Analysis (Charts 3–6)
Openings & Closings, Transfer Rates, Franchise vs Corporate Mix
Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) vs Competitors
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Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) Franchise FAQ
How much does a Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) franchise cost?
Per Item 7 of the 2026 FDD Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated initial investment ranges from $1,510,100 to $2,550,100.
What is the Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) franchise fee?
The FDD reports an initial franchise fee of $45,000.
What royalty does Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) charge?
The FDD reports an ongoing royalty of 4%.
How much revenue does a Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) franchise generate?
The 2026 FDD reports a median revenue per unit of $1,413,799 for fiscal year 2025. Individual results vary.
How much does a Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) franchise owner make?
Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) disclosed median unit revenue of $1,413,799 in FY2025 (Item 19). It does not disclose unit-level profit, so a reliable owner-income figure can't be drawn from its FDD. Individual results vary.
Can I finance a Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill) franchise with an SBA loan?
Many franchise purchases are financed with SBA 7(a) loans covering a large share of the total project cost. You can check what you'd qualify for with Franchable's free SBA prequalification.
Data sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Document. Franchable is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dairy Queen (Grill & Chill). This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Individual results vary.