Dairy Queen vs Baskin-Robbins Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Dairy Queen vs Baskin-Robbins including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Dairy Queen Franchise
Baskin-Robbins Franchise
Investment $1,151,135 - $1,936,655$123,952 - $558,830
Franchise Fee $45,000$12,500 - $25,000
Royalty Fee 4%5.9%
Advertising Fee 5-6%5%
Year Founded 19401945
Year Franchised 19441948
Term Of Agreement Varies-
Term Of Agreement Varies-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Dairy Queen Franchise
Baskin-Robbins Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Dairy Queen Franchise
    Baskin-Robbins Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/YesNo/Yes
    Payroll No/YesNo/Yes

    Training & Support
     
    Dairy Queen Franchise
    Baskin-Robbins Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 376 hours Classroom Training: 32 hours Additional Training: At existing DQ store On-The-Job Training: 2.5 weeks Classroom Training: 2.5 weeks
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet PlatformPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Email marketing Loyalty program/appCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 20 - 100

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    Expansion Plans
     
    Dairy Queen Franchise
    Baskin-Robbins Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Dairy Queen

    Frozen yogurt producer J.F. McCullough was trying different things with a formula for another solidified dairy item, originating from his conviction that dessert tasted better when it was delicate and served straight from the cooler, not solidified strong. With his formula culminated, McCullough and his child, Alex, persuaded one regarding their clients to hold a starting offer of the new delicate frozen yogurt, and more than 1,600 individuals appeared to attempt it. In light of that underlying achievement, the McCulloughs opened the primary Dairy Queen area in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois. The main stores sold just delicate serve frozen yogurt - in sundaes, bring home pints and quarts, and cones- - however throughout the years, an assortment of dessert treats were added to the menu, for example, banana parts and Dilly Bars. In the 1950s, some Dairy Queens started serving hot sustenance things. Today, stores framework wide have menus that incorporate franks, cheeseburgers and chicken tenders through Dairy Queen's Grill and Chill idea. The organization likewise offers a DQ Treat idea that offers both Dairy Queen's solidified treats and the sister organization's natural product beverages and smoothies.

    International Dairy Queen, Inc., (IDQ) has been creating “smiles and stories” for more than 70 years. Tracing its roots back to 1940, the company, is a leading quick service restaurant franchisor of delicious frozen treats and mouth-watering hot food items. The company is corporately based in Minneapolis, MN, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation, Orange Julius of America and Karmelkorn Shoppes Inc., which develops, licenses and services a system of more than 6,400 Dairy Queen® Orange Julius® and Karmelkorn® stores in the United States, Canada and over 25 other countries. All are part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single DQ Grill & Chill® franchise is $1,151,135-$1,936,655.
    This includes the $45,555 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate. In addition, if you enter into a multiple trade area reservation agreement, you will pay an initial franchise fee deposit determined by multiplying the number of restaurants you are granted the right to develop by $10,000.

    ""   "Entrepreneur

    #16 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #42 in Franchise 500 for 2021.






    About Baskin-Robbins

    As a teenager in the 1930s, Irv Robbins managed an ice cream shop in Tacoma, Washington. Bored with serving traditional flavors like chocolate and vanilla, Robbins began experimenting, mixing fruit and candies into the ice cream. After serving in World War II, Robbins bought an ice cream parlor in Glendale, California. Three years later, he convinced his brother-in-law, Burt Baskin, to join the business. The two men flipped a coin to see whose name would go first on the sign. Baskin won, and in 1945, Baskin-Robbins was born. Today, Baskin-Robbins has locations in more than 50 countries, each serving the company's famous 31 flavors of ice cream as well as frozen yogurt, sherbet, cakes and drinks. Baskin-Robbins is a subsidiary of Allied Domecq, parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Togo's. Franchisees may operate combination stores, co-branding Baskin-Robbins with either Dunkin' Donuts or Togo's. 

    Veteran Incentives  First-store franchise fee waived; royalty fee reduced for first 5 years
    "Top    ""    "Entrepreneur
    #100 in Canada's Top franchises.          
                                                                                                   
    "franchiserankingscom"
    #30 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #13 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #38 in Franchise 500 for 2021.