Dairy Queen Closes 46 Locations in 3 States (Is Yours on the List?)

Few things pair with a nostalgic summer road trip like a stop at Dairy Queen for a Blizzard or a dipped cone.

That's why news that 46 DQs closed suddenly surprised plenty of ice cream lovers. While these closures may not spell disaster for the entire industry, they do highlight how quickly things change, even for stalwart brands.

It's also a reminder that companies need strong financial fitness to weather rising costs, changing consumer habits, and economic uncertainty. Here's the scoop on the Dairy Queen closures and whether or not your favorite DQ is on the chopping block.

How many Dairy Queens have closed?

Dairy Queen has closed at least 46 locations since early 2025, which has given folks reason to suspect something's amiss with the chain. But the closures aren't the result of one sweeping decision.

While the headlines may sound alarming, especially to those who depend on Dairy Queen for a paycheck, there's some reassurance to be had.

Did Dairy Queen file for bankruptcy?

First and foremost, here's some good news: Dairy Queen isn't filing for bankruptcy at this time. The 46 closures stem from franchise-level issues, not financial trouble at the corporate level.

International Dairy Queen, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, still operates more than 7,800 DQs in 20 countries. In other words, your neighborhood DQ may be serving soft-serve for years to come.

What happened to Dairy Queen in Alaska?

Alaska took a big hit when one franchise owner abruptly closed Dairy Queen locations in Anchorage, Wasilla, and Palmer on June 30, 2026. They didn't give a reason to the press or public, leaving folks in the area wondering what happened.

This means there's only one Dairy Queen left in Alaska, the Soldotna location, the last of a once-successful legacy.

A Montana Dairy Queen turns off the lights

After serving Great Falls, Montana, for nearly four decades, a longtime Dairy Queen franchise closed its doors on June 13, 2026.

But that's not the end of the story. The franchise owner who shuttered the DQ is turning it into a Mediterranean restaurant called Zesty Eatz. It is going to serve "a unique blend of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine," including plenty of delicious desserts.

Closures were bigger in Texas

The biggest wave of Dairy Queen closures happened in Texas, where 42 locations shut down between February and March of 2025. They were forced to after corporate revoked the franchise rights from their operator (Project Lonestar) during a rift over mandatory restaurant remodels.

Once the franchise agreement ended, the restaurants couldn't order Dairy Queen supplies, leaving them with no choice.

Is the ice cream business stable overall?

Despite the grim news, these Dairy Queen closures aren't a sign that our passion for ice cream is melting away. Rather, restaurant prices have climbed 3.5% over the past year, putting pressure on franchise operators.

In fact, the ice cream shop business is in relatively good shape. The industry is up 5.8% over the past five years, with marked growth in 2025.

Is Dairy Queen opening new locations?

Dairy Queen is growing despite these recent franchise setbacks. In June, the company announced plans to open 20 new DQ Grill & Chill restaurants across Puerto Rico by 2036, with the first expected to open in San Juan in early 2027.

The expansion is part of DQ's ongoing growth strategy and shows the brand is optimistic about new markets.

Available addresses of Dairy Queen closures

Alaska:

• Anchorage, Alaska, June 30, 2026
• Wasilla, Alaska, June 30, 2026
• Palmer, Alaska, June 30, 2026

Montana:

• Great Falls, Mont., June 13, 2026

Texas:

• 301 N. 2nd Street in Canadian
• 609 W. Broadway Street in Fritch
• Highway 60 E in Panhandle
• 801 E. Park Avenue in Hereford
• 1612 U.S. Highway 70 W in Olton
• 108 Chestnut Street in Idalou
• 5441 Rufe Snow Drive in North Richland Hills
• 1509 Corsicana Highway in Hillsboro
• 200 Legacy Drive in Hewitt
• 1701 W. Pecan Street in Pflugerville
• 304 Highway 79 East in Franklin
• 4101 Gilmer Road in Longview
• 580 N. Interstate 20 E. in Waskom
• 1001 E Sabine Street in Carthage
• 175 N. Dickinson Drive in Rusk
• 3121 N. Street in Nacogdoches
• 202 N. Temple Drive in Diboll
• 602 Interstate 45 S. in Huntsville
• 14421 FM 2920 Road in Tomball
• 515 S. Washington Avenue in Cleveland
• 24022 E. Lake Houston Parkway in Huffman
• 104 Highway 90 East in Dayton
• 345 Highway 105 West in Sour Lake
• 34250 US Highway 96 South in Buna
• 2421 Valwood Parkway in Farmers Branch

Bottom line

If there's anything to be learned from these Dairy Queen closures, it's that a restaurant's future depends on more than drive-thru traffic. Franchise agreements, supply orders, and rising operating costs all play a major role.

The good news for DQ aficionados is that the ice cream king is alive and well, even as some longtime locations disappear. If you've been meaning to stop by your local DQ for a Peanut Buster Parfait, this might be the perfect excuse to go out to eat more.

FAQs

You May Also Like

$200 Bonus + Up to 5% Cash Back

Earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Member FDIC

SPONSORED

11 Weird Little Hacks Costco Shoppers Should Know

By FinanceBuzz Editors

10 Things Seniors Born Between 1941-1969 Could Take Advantage Of

By FinanceBuzz Editors

How To Save Money on Car Insurance: 12 Ways to Lower Rates

By Elyssa Kirkham

19 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

By Team FBZ

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Apply Now

Rates and fees

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Low spend threshold for its welcome offer
• Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)

Drawbacks

• Foreign transaction fee of 3%
• No bonus categories

Card Details

• Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

---

Subscribe Today

Learn how to make an extra $200

Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.

or

Subscribe Now →

By submitting this form you agree to receive emails from FinanceBuzz and to the privacy policy and terms