DQ Returns To Kuwait

Dairy Queen is returning to Kuwait a decade after the ice-cream chain left the Middle East country.

The chain, which did business there under a franchisee from 1979-2003, has announced plans to open 20 DQs in Kuwait over the next five years. The multi-unit development deal includes both DQ Grill & Chill restaurants and DQ Treat stores. Durra Khaled For Foodstuffs Co., a subsidiary of KMGC, has signed a long-term franchise agreement with the Dairy Queen system and plans to develop more than 20 DQ Grill & Chill restaurants and DQ Treat stores. The first DQ Treat stores, featuring only soft-serve and frozen products, are expected to open this year.

“As we prepare to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the DQ brand next year, we are building on our global brand equity as well as looking forward to developing future growth opportunities in the region,” said Brad Houser, executive v.p.-international development.

International Dairy Queen currently has more than 6,300 locations, 1,394 of which are located in 25 countries outside the U.S. and Canada.