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Dairy Queen FDD Analysis · 2026

Dairy Queen Franchise Cost (2026 FDD)

Inside the Dairy Queen franchise disclosure

You searched the right thing. The FDD is the document that spells out what a Dairy Queen franchise is really about — what you're committing to, and what they're committing to you. Here's a sampling of what their 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document reveals:

Investment to open
$1.51M–$2.55M
System size
1,9851,983 franchised
Financial perf. (Item 19)
Included
Year
2026analyzed May 16

§What changed — in 2025, Dairy Queen grew from 1,971 to 1,985 locations. (Item 20.)

§Already a Dairy Queen franchisee? See everything that changed since you signed →

01 · From the filing

Here's what their franchise disclosure tells you

Six of the items Dairy Queen's 2026 FDD has to answer, drawn straight from the filing. The rest of the document — and the figures behind these — open in the Workspace. See what that looks like →

§
Item 7
·

Estimated Initial Investment

The full cost to open, low to high, including working capital.
$1,510,100–$2,550,100
§
Item 19
·

Financial Performance

Reports average and median gross sales, the share of locations at or above the average, and expense and cost averages.
Ask Clara what the figures mean →
§
Item 20
·

Outlets & Franchisees

Outlet counts, openings and closures, turnover.
1,985 locations
In 2025, opened 38 new locations and closed 24.
§
Item 6
·

Other Fees

The recurring fees — royalty, brand fund, and the rest.
4% royalty · 6% brand fund
See the full fee schedule with Clara →
§
Item 5
·

Initial Fees

The upfront fees due before opening.
$45,000 franchise fee
§
Item 12
·

Territory

Does not give you a protected area of your own.
Ask Clara what the terms mean →

Dairy Queen's $1.5M–$2.6M sits against a median of $467,000 across the 61 dessert & ice cream franchises on file that disclose an investment range.

02 · Read it with Clara

Open Dairy Queen's FDD in the Clearly Workspace — with Clara beside you.

Dairy Queen's franchise agreement is a 20-year commitment — and the FDD spells out exactly what you're signing up for. You cannot change the FDD, and that's not the point. The point is to walk into your attorney conversation already knowing the document, so you ask the questions that matter most to you.

Clara is an expert FDD assistant. Ask her anything about Dairy Queen's filing and she answers from the document itself, with the item and page she read it in — so you can check her.

People ask Clara —

  • What does it actually cost to open?
  • What fees come after the franchise fee?
  • How do their locations perform?
  • Do I get a protected territory?
  • What happens if I want out?

The Dairy Queen Workspace

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03 · Common questions

Common questions

How much does it cost to open a Dairy Queen franchise?

Dairy Queen's 2026 FDD estimates a total initial investment of $1,510,100 to $2,550,100, including the $45,000 franchise fee. (Item 7.)

What are the ongoing fees for a Dairy Queen franchise?

Dairy Queen reports a royalty of 4%, plus a 6% brand-fund contribution; the rest of the recurring fees are itemized in Item 6 of the 2026 FDD.

Does Dairy Queen share how its franchises perform financially?

Yes — Dairy Queen's 2026 FDD reports average and median gross sales, the share of locations at or above the average, and expense and cost averages. The figures themselves are in your Clearly Workspace.

How many Dairy Queen locations are there?

Dairy Queen's 2026 FDD reports 1,985 locations — 1,983 franchised and 2 company-owned (Item 20).

Drawn from Dairy Queen's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document · last updated May 16, 2026.

Keep reading

Other dessert & ice cream franchises

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