Popular ice cream chain closes 46 US stores as one state takes the biggest hit | Today’s news
Fans of Dairy Queen’s famous Blizzard ice cream have fewer places to grab the frozen treat after the company closed 46 franchise stores across the United States.
Dairy Queen to close 46 franchise locations; Texas was hit the hardest
The closures are in place starting in early 2025, with Texas being the hardest hit. Of the 46 stores closed, 42 were in Texas, while recent closures in Alaska and Montana added to the total.
The Texas closure was linked to a dispute between Dairy Queen and one of its largest franchise operators, Project Lonestar. According to reports, the franchisee failed to complete required renovations at its restaurants, leading Dairy Queen to terminate the franchise agreements.
Once those agreements ended, the stores could no longer operate as Dairy Queen stores.
The latest closure came in Alaska, where three Dairy Queen restaurants in Anchorage, Wasilla and Palmer closed in late June. That left just one Dairy Queen location in the state, in Soldotna. A long-running Dairy Queen in Great Falls, Montana also closed after serving customers for 39 years.
The closings come at a time when many restaurant chains across the U.S. are facing higher food, labor and operating costs. Rising prices have also led many consumers to cut back on eating out and buying treats like ice cream.
Despite the closure, Dairy Queen says the situation is not part of a nationwide shutdown. Founded in 1940 and owned by Berkshire Hathaway since 1998, the company still operates around 7,800 restaurants in more than 20 countries. It also continues to expand in some markets, including plans to open 20 new Grill & Chill restaurants in Puerto Rico.
Dairy Queen continued to roll out new Blizzard flavors and seasonal promotions, signaling that the brand remains focused on growth even as some franchise locations close. But for many customers, the loss of their local Dairy Queen means they’ll have to travel further afield for one of the chain’s most iconic desserts.
