Everyone knows that for decades Dairy Queen® stores have been a special place in the community where friends and families visit for a unique combination of amazing treats, delicious food and great times. However, not many know that the first Dairy Queen location opened more than 70 years ago, on June 22, 1940, in Joliet, Ill. Even fewer of our fans know that the original building that was home to that first DQ® store still exists. Constructed in 1895, this structure has also held a funeral home and, in the late 1930s, a grocery store. Today a small church conducts weekly services there as well.
In early 2011, in recognition that Joliet was home to the original Dairy Queen store, the Joliet City Council voted to protect the building located at 501 North Chicago Street as a historic landmark. In honor of this proclamation, the city and Dairy Queen representatives planned a brief celebration to recognize the building as a protected site. Various Joliet city officials, as well as the president and CEO of International Dairy Queen, Inc., John Gainor; as well as Jennifer Rintelman, grand daughter of Sherb Noble, our first franchisee, made presentations at the event.
After photos were taken and Dilly® Bars were enjoyed, attendees walked a few blocks from the Joliet Area Historical Museum, where the celebration took place, to the building on North Chicago. As attendees took more photos and reminisced about what it must have been like to operate a DQ store out of this location, Janita Ruth, one of the original customers of this location 70 years ago, stopped by to see what the commotion was all about. Janita shared with us what it was like for her, as a 10-year-old girl, to taste this revolutionary product, and what a thrill it was when her family had the money to visit the location to purchase a 5-cent DQ cone or 8-cent sundae. Although it may have been a coincidence that Janita happened to walk by this former DQ location at the same time everyone was gathered to take photos and view the building, it was as if history came alive for just a few short moments.
Appreciating our heritage is, and will always be, a key value in the DQ system. Having the opportunity to witness the exact site where it all began made for a special day for all of us associated with this great brand.
They say “imitation is the greatest form of flattery.” So, all of us at Dairy Queen® headquarters are officially flattered. You see, we introduced a new tagline, “So Good It’s RiDQulous.” We’re even sponsoring the most RiDQulous play of the day on ESPN. Then, we hear that there is a new word in Dallas – RiDIRKulous. Makes sense, Dirk knows when good isn’t good enough just like we do at Dairy Queen.
Ironically, there’s an interesting, long-standing connection with the Dallas Mavs through their owner Mark Cuban. You see, a number of years back, Mark, commenting on Ed Rush, the NBA director of officials at the time, said, “I wouldn’t hire Ed Rush to manage a Dairy Queen.” Well, maybe Ed couldn’t manage a Dairy Queen, but we thought Mark might want to try. Mark came out to his local DQ store and served up treats to customers who lined up around the building for the experience. At the same time we collected donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, our national charitable partner. The result was a blizzard of publicity and enough smiles and stories to last a lifetime. Mark was a great sport. We congratulate him and the Mavs on a fantastic season and first NBA Championship.
Do you know anyone who’s RiDQulous? We’d like to hear about them.
Mother’s Day is just around the bend. Shopping’s never easy. Sure, she wants flowers, but what else? A box of chocolates? That’s risky. Every bite’s a gamble. No, my friends, your mom wants something sweet, something cold, and something that rhymes with “blizzard.” I’m talking about creamy vanilla soft serve, chewy brownie pieces, pecan pieces, caramel, and coconut. Yes, it’s the May Blizzard® of the Month—the NEW German Chocolate Brownie Blizzard Treat! And every single bite’s fantastic!
“But my mom’s in Canada,” you say. Not a problem, because DQ® is featuring a treat for the good people of The True North that’s just as classic as the women who brought them into this world. It answers to the name of OREO® Blizzard Treat, and every OREO Cookie piece is blended into creamy vanilla soft serve with love.
OK, all this talk is making me hungry, but before I go, let me ask you this: What’s the coolest thing about your mom?
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s. . . not Superman either. But it is the new Superberry Premium Fruit Smoothie, and although it doesn’t fly, it really is super! This March and April, participating U.S. Orange Julius® locations are featuring the new Superberry Premium Fruit Smoothie. It’s blended fresh with a pomegranate juice blend, blueberries, Sambazon® açai and low-fat frozen yogurt for a smoothie that is nothing short of, you guessed it, SUPER. It won’t be around for long, so try one today before the goodness is gone!
P.S. – For the many of us who have struggled to pronounce açai, it’s “ah-sigh-ee”.
I recently received a customer letter at the corporate DQ® headquarters about how a family knew they would be taking their beloved pet to the veterinarian for the last time. Because they made it a ritual to take Patches to the local DQ restaurant for a hamburger as a treat after every vet appointment, this time the family took her to the restaurant before the final appointment.
The family went through the drive-thru lane to pick up the hamburger, and was surprised to receive the hamburger free of charge because the employee was so sorry about the unfortunate day. The owners of that little dog will always remember that employee’s act of concern and caring.
Sometimes it can be such a simple act of kindness that can help someone through a difficult time. This is an excellent example about how the DQ system could help someone feel just a little bit better.
What have you done to help someone through a difficult time?
Posted by Beth F under Uncategorized on February 14th, 2011
To quote a Facebook friend, “How annoying, I still believe in love.” I’m not sure what inspired this quote, perhaps the influx of peanut butter hearts (nom nom nom), pink and red balloons or sparkly, cherub-filled cards flitting around that had my friend down, but not out. Valentine’s Day has turned into so much more than a mooshy, kissy-face lovey-dovey couples’ holiday. Now I see cards for aunts and uncles, from the dog or cat, to the mail man and grocer. Love knows no bounds! (said by Truman Capote, or someone else depending on the Google link you choose).
One tradition I had with my friends while I was still on the singles scene was a heart-shaped DQ® Cake. No, I will not get out of town! I’m being dead serious. For years I was the 3rd, 5th, or 7th wheel. Want to know what? I didn’t care, I grabbed my cake and headed out and was always the most popular person of the party. While this may sound like bribery, I figure it follows suit with most commercialized holidays: trick or treat (sounds like kids are being bribed with candy to not trick adults)? Cookies for Santa? I would have been ashamed if I didn’t use this holiday to my benefit!
A DQ store in Canal Park in Duluth, MN, gives away a rose with each cake. Genius? Yep. They call it one-stop shopping.
This Valentine’s Day, believe in love, believe in yourself, and believe in the DQ system. Check with your local store and get your Valentine’s cake pre-ordered today!
Happy Valentine’s Day to all of our favorite Valentines!
Posted by JT under Uncategorized on January 27th, 2011
Having lived in Minnesota my whole life, I vividly remember the Super Bowl parties my parents threw in the late 1970s. Fran Tarkenton and Bud Grant were every kid’s heroes, and one of my grade school friends became quite a celebrity when we learned that Alan Page was her uncle. Sadly, those trips to the Super Bowl didn’t end well for the Vikings.
In January 1999, my family and I watched Gary Anderson—the first kicker in NFL history to go an entire regular season without a miss, who hit 39 straight field goals and went 67-for-67 on extra points—juuuust hook one to the left in the last minutes of the NFC championship game, sending Atlanta to the Superbowl instead of us. That moment forever solidified my status as a baseball-only fan.
My husband, who grew up in Chicago, long ago changed his baseball allegiance to the Twins, but he remains a die-hard Bears fan, for better or worse. Last Sunday would be an example of the worse.
In spite of our painful memories of football games past, we always manage to make it to a Super Bowl party somewhere. Even if it’s only for the food. DQ cake anyone?
Posted by Carolyn K under Uncategorized on January 20th, 2011
Our dog Max loves to “GO.”
Oh, boy! I get to GO!
He knows that “GO” means OUT OF THE HOUSE, and that it often leads to a CAR RIDE!
Faster! Drive Faster!
His favorite car trips are to the bank and our local DQ® store. Both are spots that sometimes give Max TREATS!
I know this place! They give TREATS!
Hmmm. Where are the doggie treats??
Sadly, this time our DQ store was out of doggie treats. But Max got to GO for a CAR RIDE, and I made sure he had TREATS at home. AND my family loved the people treats I brought home!
Last year I committed to joining a gym and to stopping using text messaging as my primary form of communication. I can proudly say that one of those two actually lasted! This year I’ve taken the plunge along with millions of other Americans to shed some pounds and become a healthier person. Boring, I know, but necessary nonetheless.
The odds are still against me. Statistics show that only 64% of people make it past the one month marker. And? I work at the DQ® corporate headquarters. I mean, who would pass up the chance to try new eats and treats? It wasn’t until I recently became calorie conscious that I realized DQ and Orange Julius® locations both offer a handful of tasty, calorie-conscious items. Below are a few of my favorites!
I love, LOVE the Orange Julius Light Smoothie,s and for the month of January and February you can get my absolute favorite flavor, Pineapple Berry Daylight™. It’s blended fresh with pineapple, strawberries and orange juice, and only has 120 calories in a 12 oz. size. It’s featured for a limited time, so enjoy it while you can! I would consider any of the other Light Smoothie flavors tasty snacks too.
One of my all-time favorite DQ treats, the DQ sandwich, has only 190 calories. Other lighter treat options include the Cherry StarKiss® bar at 80 calories and the No Sugar-Added Fudge Bars, which are only 50 calories each (but they taste like they have a lot more). And if I simply MUST have a Blizzard Treat, the new Mini Blizzard Treat lets me indulge in my favorite flavor without over-doing it.
Cheers to the new year and to hoping you stick to your goals as long as I stick to mine!
You can check out the DQ nutrition calculator at dq.com or visit orangejulius.com for more information!
Posted by Blizz Prez under Uncategorized on December 28th, 2010
Hey fans, the clock is ticking… Only a few more days of the 25 flavors for 25 years menu! It was an awesome ride, but all good things must come to an end. So for the next few days, it’s time to live it up, fans. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to make it my goal to try all 25, again, for the third time. Just think, this ginormous menu might not be back for another 25 years!
What are you doing? Stop reading this and get to your local DQ. The clock is ticking…
But, since you’re still here. What was your favorite Blizzard Treat on the 25 flavors menu?
