The Dairy Queen system, a part of Berkshire Hathaway, announced that Bajco Gulf LLC, a family-operated quick-service restaurant franchise group, has signed a long-term multiunit agreement to develop DQ Grill & Chill restaurants and DQ Treat stores throughout the United Arab Emirates.
The first DQ Treat store, featuring the soft-serve products that have made the Dairy Queen system an icon in the industry, such as the signature Blizzard Treat, soft-serve cones with the curl on top, sundaes, and other treats, is expected to open in early 2015. This will make UAE the 28th country outside the U.S. and Canada with the ability to expand the Dairy Queen brand. The Dairy Queen flagship DQ Grill & Chill food and treat concept is scheduled to open by the second quarter of 2015.
“We are looking forward to expanding our global reach in the Middle East region and are excited about the opportunity to re-introduce the Dairy Queen brand to the United Arab Emirates,” says Jean Champagne, chief operations officer of International Groups. “Bajco Gulf brings extensive [quick-service] experience and a strong, successful background in multiunit restaurant development. We know they are the right franchisees to help us increase our world-wide brand presence.”
The Dairy Queen system has more than 6,300 locations, 1,367 of which are outside the U.S. and Canada.