Dairy Queen signed an agreement with franchisee Al Safwa Food Group to open multiple locations in Saudi Arabia. The move into Saudi Arabia marks the 17th country outside of the U.S. and Canada where Dairy Queen will have a presence.

The first Dairy Queen is scheduled to open in Riyadh in spring 2011 with a projected total of 32 locations by 2015. Dairy Queen currently has locations in the Middle East countries of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

“The international marketplace has become a major area of expansion for the Dairy Queen brand,” says John Gainor, president and CEO of International Dairy Queen Inc. “International consumers really enjoy all that our brand has to offer and we look forward to bringing the great DQ food and treats to Saudi Arabia.”

Riyadh-based Al Safwa Food Group, managed by Ihsan Dalati, is a new retail holding group whose members previously were involved in the casual dining segment in Saudi Arabia.

DQ Grill & Chill locations throughout Saudi Arabia will feature all of the soft-serve products that have made Dairy Queen an icon, such as the signature Blizzard Treat, soft-serve cones, sundaes, frozen cakes, and the MooLatte, as well as DQ Grill & Chill food offerings such as the Chicken Strip Basket and delicious GrillBurgers.

“When we open in Saudi Arabia, Dairy Queen will have locations across the GCC countries and in Egypt; we look forward to future expansion in other neighboring Middle Eastern countries,” says Rose Nichols, director of international development for International Dairy Queen Inc. “We predict that the Saudi market will be a huge success as Saudi consumers are eager to try new brands and products.”

Dairy Queen has more than 680 locations outside the U.S. and Canada.