Did you know…
It all started back in 1938 with a killer recipe. The original formula for DQ’s soft-serve ice cream was created in 1938—though the first location of Dairy Queen didn’t open until 1940 in Joliette, IL. The shop is still there and is now a city-designated landmark.
It was created by John Fremont “Grandpa” and Bradley McCullough. It was first sold by family friend Sherb Noble at his ice cream store in Kankakee, IL. The first stand-alone DQ wouldn’t be opened until 1940, in Joliet, IL.
The largest DQ location ISN’T IN AMERICA?! It’s located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — where ice cream is ostensibly always in season. Meanwhile, the busiest location in the world is in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and the largest location in the good ol’ USA is in Bloomington, Illinois.