Lately, fast food chains have been in a fierce race to win over chicken lovers, and Dairy Queen just jumped back into the competition with a tasty comeback.
The popular chain recently reintroduced two fan-favorite chicken baskets to its menu, thrilling longtime customers eager for their saucy, crispy chicken fix.
What’s in the Basket?
Dairy Queen’s returning stars are the Buffalo Sauced & Tossed Chicken Strip Basket and the Honey BBQ Sauced & Tossed Chicken Strip Basket.
Each basket includes four juicy chicken strips coated in your choice of bold sauce, crispy fries, a slice of toast, and a side of dipping sauce to complete the meal.
These baskets are available at participating locations, making it easier for fans to enjoy the flavors they’ve been craving.
Joining the Chicken Tender Battle
These new limited-time baskets come at a time when many fast food brands are beefing up their chicken menus.
McDonald’s recently launched chicken strips nationwide, sparking even more excitement.
Meanwhile, KFC kicked off the “chicken tender war” last year with bold marketing campaigns and even cheeky stunts like handing out free samples at competitors’ locations like Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane’s.
KFC’s U.S. president, Catherine Tan-Gillespie, confidently declared their chicken tenders “the world’s best-tasting,” setting the tone for this fiery competition.
Dairy Queen may be a bit late to this battle, but its loyal fans already adore its classic chicken strip basket, which has been a staple since 1995.
The Classic Chicken Basket That Never Goes Out of Style
While Dairy Queen is best known for its indulgent desserts, its regular chicken strip basket has earned a devoted following over the years.
This original basket—offered with either four or six chicken strips—is available at every Dairy Queen across the country.
For many, it’s the perfect savory companion to their sweet treats.
Sweet Treats and More Exciting Deals
For those who lean more toward ice cream than chicken, Dairy Queen also brought back the popular S’mores Blizzard on March 31, responding directly to customer requests through its Rewards program.
Plus, with National Hamburger Day coming up, the chain is offering a mouthwatering deal: Signature Stackable burgers for just 99 cents from May 26 to June 1.
This offer is exclusive to DQ Rewards members and redeemable through the mobile app at participating locations nationwide.
Challenges Behind the Scenes
Despite these exciting menu updates, Dairy Queen isn’t without its struggles.
Earlier this year, the chain closed 12 locations in Texas alone, including spots in Hemphill, Jasper, Kountze, Huntington, Lufkin, and Longview Eastman.
Another six closures were reported in Texas, though the exact locations weren’t specified.
This wave of shutdowns follows a previous closure of 25 Texas Dairy Queen stores back in February, signaling some challenges even as the brand innovates.
What Lies Ahead for Dairy Queen?
With fan-favorite chicken baskets making a comeback, tempting ice cream treats, and tasty burger deals on the horizon, Dairy Queen is clearly aiming to keep customers excited and engaged.
Whether these moves will help the brand bounce back from recent closures remains to be seen — but one thing’s for sure: the chicken tender war just got a little more delicious.