MINNEAPOLIS – (August 13, 2026) – International Dairy Queen (IDQ), a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry, was recognized as one of the Fastest-Growing Franchises in Entrepreneur magazine and on Entrepreneur.com. The 2026 ranking highlights the companies that saw the greatest franchise unit growth from July 2024 to July 2025. International Dairy Queen was ranked as the #6 fastest growing franchise for international growth.
“Being recognized by Entrepreneur as a fastest growing international franchise is an honor that reflects the strength of our global business,” said Nicolas Boudet, chief operating officer, international at International Dairy Queen. “We are grateful for achieving this recognition together, from our DQ corporate teams to DQ franchise owners and their teams who bring the DQ brand to life for our fans by creating positive memories that last a lifetime.”
The Fastest-Growing Franchises ranking is based on information submitted to Entrepreneur for its annual Franchise 500® and is part of the brand’s continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace. The ranking appears in Entrepreneur magazine and on Entrepreneur.com. Franchise companies are ranked based on their net international franchise unit growth from July 31, 2024 to July 31, 2025 (Ties are broken based on percentage growth).
"These fastest-growing brands have cracked the code on expansion, proving they have the systems and market appeal that savvy entrepreneurs should pay attention to," says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine. "They're able to continue growing despite economic uncertainty, market shifts, and industry changes—and that's worth a close look."
To view International Dairy Queen in the 2026 Fastest-Growing Franchises list, visit https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/fastestgrowing.
To inquire about DQ franchising opportunities, visit DairyQueenFranchising.com.
About International Dairy Queen, Inc.
International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses, and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.