Dairy Queen enthusiasts in Texas were left disappointed after 12 more of their beloved locations closed down this week.
On March 24, six Dairy Queen franchises in towns like Hemphill, Jasper, Kountze, Huntington, Lufkin, and Longview Eastman locked their doors for the final time.
In addition to these, six other locations in Texas were shut down, although Dairy Queen did not specify the exact cities.
A Growing Trend of Dairy Queen Closures in Texas
This wave of closures marks the second round of store shutdowns in Texas this year.
Earlier in February, 25 Dairy Queen locations across the state were also closed.
With Texas housing more than 500 Dairy Queen stores, these closures reflect the challenges the chain is facing.
Some of these stores had been serving up Dairy Queen’s signature upside-down ice cream for over fifty years.
Franchisee Behind the Closures Faces Backlash
All of the closed locations, both the 12 this week and the 25 last month, were operated by the same franchisee, Lone Star DQ.
Becky Setters, the long-time manager of the Hemphill store, expressed her sadness over the closures on Facebook, sharing her heartache over the impact on her crew and their families.
“The hardest part of this for me is my entire crew and their families,” Setters wrote, adding that she had been running Dairy Queen franchises for over 30 years.
Customers flooded the post with comments expressing their disappointment and sorrow, with one writing, “This is a sad day.”
Dairy Queen’s Statement on the Closures
In response to the closures, Dairy Queen referred to them as an “isolated event.”
The company did not delve into specific details about the contract with the franchisee behind the closures but reassured customers that Texas remains the leader in Dairy Queen locations, with over 500 in the state.
Dairy Queen also pointed out that they operate over 7,700 locations globally across 20 countries.
Previous Closures Featured Auctions for Equipment
In an unusual twist, the 25 Dairy Queen locations that closed earlier this year allowed customers to bid on equipment from the stores, offering a rare opportunity to purchase memorabilia and equipment from the iconic ice cream chain.
It’s unclear whether the newly closed locations will follow suit, but it’s certainly a possibility.
Dairy Queen’s Legacy and Expansion
Known for its iconic Blizzard treats, Dairy Queen has been a staple in American fast food since the 1950s.
The chain became famous for serving ice cream upside down to demonstrate its high quality. With over 170 Blizzard flavors, including seasonal favorites, Dairy Queen continues to innovate its menu.
The company, owned by billionaire Warren Buffett, has been a favorite for its simplicity and focus on quality, with Buffett investing heavily in the brand due to its large-scale operations and extensive reach.
Dairy Queen Closures Reflect a Larger Trend in U.S. Restaurants
The recent closures come amid a larger wave of restaurant shutdowns in the U.S. Major chains like TGI Friday’s, Applebee’s, and Red Lobster have all closed hundreds of locations in recent years.
In fact, Red Lobster even auctioned off restaurant contents last May after shuttering 100 unprofitable locations.
As the closures continue, Dairy Queen fans are left wondering what this means for the chain’s future in Texas and beyond.