Dairy Queen (Treat) Franchise: Cost, Fees & Earnings
743 locations (2025), +2.2% YoY(Item 20)
A Dairy Queen (Treat) franchise requires an estimated total investment of $549,100 to $1,604,700, including a $25,000 initial franchise fee (latest FDD, Item 7). Franchisees pay an ongoing royalty of 5% of revenue (Item 6). Dairy Queen (Treat) does not disclose unit-level earnings in Item 19 of its FDD.
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Initial Investment
$549,100 – $1,604,700
Source: FDD, Item 7
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Source: FDD, Item 5
Royalty
5% of revenue
Source: FDD, Item 6
Dairy Queen (Treat) Franchise Key Facts
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | $549,100 – $1,604,700Source: FDD, Item 7 | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000Source: FDD, Item 5 | |
| Royalty | 5% of revenueSource: FDD, Item 6 | |
| Median Revenue (AUV) | Dairy Queen (Treat) does not disclose unit-level earnings in Item 19 of its FDD.Source: Item 19 | |
| Total Locations | 743 (2025)Source: Item 20 |
Dairy Queen (Treat) Franchise Fees
Initial franchise fee(Item 5)
$25,000
Ongoing royalty(Item 6)
5% of revenue
National ad / brand fund(Item 6)
5% exact
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 (Treat)
American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ) franchises DQ® Treat stores, quick-service food establishments offering soft-serve, treats, beverages, and limited food items. They target high-traffic locations like malls (DQ®/Orange Julius®) and street locations (DQ®/Dairy Queen®). Franchisees gain access to ADQ's trademarks, operational systems, and national promotions. The value proposition includes brand recognition, training, and ongoing support. ADQ also offers conversion programs for existing Dairy Queen® soft-serve-only stores. The market is highly competitive, including other quick-service restaurants and specialty treat outlets. ADQ's business includes administering the franchise system and providing services to franchisees.
What Dairy Queen (Treat)'s FDD Discloses
In 2025, Dairy Queen (Treat)'s franchised system recorded 2 franchised openings, 31 closures (Item 20).
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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 (Treat) vs Competitors
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Dairy Queen (Treat) Franchise FAQ
How much does a Dairy Queen (Treat) franchise cost?
Per Item 7 of the latest Franchise Disclosure Document, the estimated initial investment ranges from $549,100 to $1,604,700.
What is the Dairy Queen (Treat) franchise fee?
The FDD reports an initial franchise fee of $25,000.
What royalty does Dairy Queen (Treat) charge?
The FDD reports an ongoing royalty of 5% of revenue.
How much does a Dairy Queen (Treat) franchise owner make?
Dairy Queen (Treat) does not disclose unit-level earnings in Item 19 of its FDD, so a reliable owner-income figure isn't available from its filing. Ask the franchisor for validation contacts and review the full FDD before relying on any earnings estimate.
Can I finance a Dairy Queen (Treat) 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 (Treat). This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Individual results vary.