Latest news with #DairyQueen
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Classic Ice Cream Chain That's Closing Dozens Of Locations In 2025
It's a difficult time to be in the business of food, period, as the classic ice cream chain Dairy Queen has been closing locations throughout the first half of 2025. Known for its famous (and adorably named) Dilly Bar, and as one of the fast food restaurants that is completely different today from when it first opened, DQ — as it's known colloquially — began its closing spree in February, when it was confirmed that it would be saying goodbye to 25 locations in Texas. By early April, however, the chain had closed 40 locations in Texas. Customer feedback following the announcements reflected disappointment, though many were unsurprised. One person commented on Facebook, "I think this is sad, but honestly, Dairy Queen isn't what it used to be. It's really gone down downhill," while another mentioned that all the restaurants were showing signs of wear and tear. Others remarked that they preferred Oklahoma City-based chain Braum's to Dairy Queen anyway. Read more: The Vanilla Ice Cream That Uses The Best Ingredients Hands Down Financial woes have plagued the food sector for months now, with the likes of Hooters and Bar Louie filing for bankruptcy in March, along with other fast food chains like Wendy's closing stores in 2024. However, Dairy Queen's recent restaurant closures in the Lone Star State aren't necessarily indicative of a chain-wide issue; rather, they stem from a single franchisee, who owns the locations under the name Project Lonestar and apparently refused to make the renovations requested by the parent company, Dairy Queen. Rather than invest the no-doubt thousands of dollars needed to bring the restaurants up to scratch, the franchisee opted instead to close the locations and attempt to sell them. While there was an interested buyer, parent company DQ stepped in and refused to allow the restaurants to change hands, and the sale did not go through. However, the franchisee did sell the contents of the restaurants on Local Auctions, an online marketplace for auctions, including Dairy Queen's signature Blizzard machines. Imagine having one of those at home — you could whip up a Cookie Jar Blizzard, one of those secret fast food menu items everyone should try, whenever the craving hit! Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. Read the original article on Food Republic.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
I ate at Braum's, a beloved Southern fast-food chain. Its chicken strips were as good as Chick-fil-A's.
I visited Braum's, a southern fast-food chain that only has locations in five states. I bought almost every item on the menu, including burgers, fries, chicken strips, and ice cream. The burgers and chicken strips were great, but I still think ice cream is the best thing to order. The West Coast has In-N-Out. The Midwest has Dairy Queen. I'd argue the South has Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Store. In 1933, Henry Braum started a small butter plant in Emporia, Kansas, which expanded to include milk and ice cream production. In 1968, Henry's son Bill opened the first official Braum's store in Oklahoma City. Today, the family-run business has more than 300 locations across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. According to the company, every store is located within a 300-mile radius of its processing plant in Tuttle, Oklahoma. Braum's is best known for its wide range of ice cream and frozen yogurt, from classic flavors like vanilla to stranger concoctions like pineapple upside-down cake. But it's more than an ice cream shop — it also has staples of the American diet like cheeseburgers, chicken strips, shakes, and malts. One of Braum's locations sits about two miles from my childhood home in Fort Worth, Texas. When I was a kid, on Fridays after a long day of work, my dad would bring home a tub of ice cream. If I were really lucky, we'd go to the store. Together, we'd sit, ice-cream cone in hand, in silence, savoring the flavors. I wanted to see if Braum's still had its charm, so my husband and I took a trip to the closest one near us in Dallas. Here are some items I tried from the menu — some I'd order again, and others I'd probably skip. Even though it's a chain, Braum's gives off the vibe of a mom-and-pop shop. Unlike fast food giants like McDonald's and Burger King, which have embraced modernity in both their branding and menu presentation, Braum's has done the opposite. It has retained its cozy, classic vibe, making it feel both familiar and comforting. Maybe that's what makes it special. When I visited the store, I spent a lot of time reminiscing about the times my dad and I shared there. It all felt so nostalgic. It's a convenient place to grab a snack. Braum's has dozens of ice cream flavors to choose from. But it is also a grocery store with a small market. Customers can buy everyday items like bananas, tomatoes, onions, and even hamburger buns if they'd rather grill their own at home. Braum's ice cream is pretty affordable. Braum's sells its ice cream in various sizes, but most tubs contain three pints. Each tub is typically priced under $5 — a steal compared to other brands. A single pint of Blue Bell ice cream is sold for $3.97 (excluding tax) at Walmart, and a single pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream at Target is $4.99, according to both companies' websites. Braum's has more than 100 ice cream flavors. The company sells traditional flavors like vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate, but it also has quirky options like bubble gum and Mother's Circus animal cookies. I wouldn't recommend the latter — it was too sweet for my taste buds, and didn't have enough animal crackers. Braum's also sells frozen yogurt. Ice cream is typically made with dairy from cream, whereas frozen yogurt is made from cultured milk. On most days, I'd choose frozen yogurt — which might be a controversial opinion. While I haven't tried all of Braum's frozen yogurt flavors, their vanilla cone always hits the spot. I doubt I'll ever get around to trying the pineapple upside-down cake flavor, though. Braum's makes several flavors of sugar-free ice cream. Sugar-free ice cream isn't really my cup of tea, but I understand why some people prefer it or choose it for dietary or medical reasons. If that's you, then you're in luck — Braum's offers many sugar-free flavors. I have to admit the vanilla chunk chocolate tub looked pretty tempting. My husband and I ordered a lot of food. To get the full Braum's experience beyond ice cream, we ordered about 10 different items from the menu: A double quarter pound sweet 'n spicy Gouda burger combo meal with medium fries and a large sweet tea — $8.89 A cheeseburger combo meal with medium fries and a large strawberry shake — $8.29 Four-piece chicken strips — $5.19 A grilled chicken sandwich — $4.79 Medium chili cheese fries — $4.64 A medium strawberry malt shake — $1.99 The chicken strips were better than I expected. In the chicken strips war, restaurants like Chick-fil-A and Zaxby's usually reign supreme. But I'm throwing Braum's into the fight. Braum's strips were crispy on the outside, yet still soft inside. I also appreciated that they weren't overly salty — just the right amount. For me, they rivaled Chick-fil-A's. I really wanted to like the chili fries. I was probably most excited to try the chili fries. Crispy potatoes dressed in perfectly melted cheese and sauce— what more could anyone ask for? Well, in my case, a bit more seasoning. Ultimately, they tasted bland, and it felt more like I was eating canned beans on fries than actual chili. Braum's burgers are simple and delicious. My husband and I split the double quarter pound sweet 'n spicy Gouda burger and the cheeseburger. While I thought the Gouda burger was good — and a bit spicy — it didn't quite compare to Braum's traditional cheeseburger. It wasn't fancy — just meat, buns, lettuce, tomato, and cheese — but it felt classic, exactly what I imagine when I think of a good burger. The grilled chicken sandwich was just OK. The grilled chicken sandwich was all right. It didn't quite compare to a sandwich I'd get at Chick-fil-A, but I had no trouble finishing it. For $4.79, I'd say it's worth the price. Dessert was my favorite part of the meal. After dinner, my husband and I went back to the counter to order ice cream. He bought a double scoop sopapilla cheesecake sundae for $3.79, and I got a small chocolate and vanilla frozen yogurt cone for $1.45. His sundae tasted like the real deal. The cinnamon-flavored ice cream sat on top of a spongy cake, draped in golden caramel. I think it's perfect for someone with a sweet tooth. However, the frozen yogurt cone was right up my alley. It was simple and sweet, and the flavors weren't too overpowering. We bought so much food that we had to take it home. I left the restaurant full, but not without taking a to-go bag. The next day, my husband and I devoured our leftovers for lunch. I'll be visiting again soon. While the burgers and sandwiches at Braum's were good, the ice cream and frozen yogurt were what made the visit stand out among other chains. Overall, going back to Braum's was a sweet experience. It was nice to try new-to-me foods, reminisce about my childhood, and create new memories with my husband.
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Did Brad Marchand really have a Dairy Queen Blizzard between periods of Game 3?
"It's the best dessert in the world" 😋 Brad Marchand joins — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) It sparked a creamy, delicious controversy, one that Marchand put to rest on Monday. 'It was honey. I was having honey,' Marchand said after Florida's morning skate. 'It was a spoonful of honey.' Advertisement Sorry, DQ. The claim that the snack was a Blizzard was frozen fib. But Marchand's love of Blizzards apparently is real. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'The amount of messages I got about people going to Dairy Queen yesterday, I appreciate the support,' Marchand said. 'I love a good Blizzard, more than anybody. But it's not something I've had in the middle of a game — yet. Yet. Yet.' The Panthers suspected that Marchand was using a bit of succulent sarcasm. 'I know he said it,' coach Paul Maurice said. 'I'm just not sure that makes it a fact.' The sugary story started to hit the spot soon after the game, and there was a good reason. The Panthers had gotten some notoriety for visiting a Dairy Queen last week on an off day in North Carolina — one was near the hotel where Florida was staying for Games 1 and 2 against the Hurricanes, and a fan's social media posts about seeing the Panthers having some sweet treats went viral. Advertisement It was logical for Bukauskas to ask if Marchand was still getting his dessert fix in Game 3. 'No chance you were fueling with a Blizzard there, were you?' Bukauskas asked during the Saturday night exchange. 'Yeah, that's a little chocolate chip cookie dough Blizzard right there,' Marchand replied. Now, there is a Dairy Queen about 2.4 miles away from the Panthers' home arena — and it was still open when the game was in its second intermission Saturday. So, is it possible that ice cream could have been sent to the arena? Yes. But did it happen? No. The Panthers, like all teams, have a slew of high-protein or energy-giving snacks available for refueling between periods. And Marchand has always had an affinity for honey. 'I've always loved honey,' Marchand said. 'Actually, when I was growing up, I loved Winnie the Pooh. I used to have Winnie the Pooh, but I would feed him — the bear — honey, so it was covered and rock hard.' His parents didn't love that aspect of his childhood in Nova Scotia. 'I don't think they enjoyed cleaning up a mess, but yeah, I had fun,' Marchand said. 'That's what we do in Halifax. We feed teddy bears honey.' There were hints on Sunday that the Blizzard story was melting. Maurice didn't debunk the story — but cast some doubt on it. 'There are cameras everywhere, man. We can't get away with anything anymore,' Maurice said. 'But that would be a good story.' Advertisement As it turns out, Marchand may have had a bit of a motive for telling Bukauskas that it was a Blizzard. The TV-savvy Marchand looked directly into the camera afterward — and hinted he might want to add a DQ sponsorship to his endorsement portfolio. 'You can't beat it. It's the best dessert in the world,' Marchand said. 'So, I better get a lifetime free supply of Dairy Queen now. Thank you, fellas.' It should be noted that what Marchand ate between periods worked. He scored a goal in the third period, a few minutes after the snack — part of a five-goal, um, blizzard by the Panthers that sealed Saturday's win.
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
How King Charles played the role of Canada's superhero against supervillain Donald Trump
King Charles looked and sounded like he was reading Canada a comforting bedtime story. In many ways, that's exactly what he did on Tuesday. His Majesty was in Ottawa to deliver the Speech From the Throne. Normally, the start of a new session of Parliament is about as scintillating as an instalment of 'Canada Vignettes.' This year is different. Canadians are on edge. Threats of annexation. Idiotic tariffs. American betrayal. So give the King high marks for calming us down with lines such as, 'The True North is indeed strong and free.' The rapturous applause that followed felt cathartic. It's what we needed to hear. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW I hope Donald Trump was watching, even if the political protocols and breaches of royal etiquette would baffle him more than a telenovela without subtitles: Why is the Usher of the Black Rod summoning MPs by banging on wooden doors with the tip of an ornate staff that looks like it came from Hogwarts? Did Margaret Trudeau just greet the King with air kisses on both cheeks? Why is former Governor General Michaëlle Jean dragging the King across the Senate floor by his hand like he's a toddler lost inside Dairy Queen? Here's what Trump will understand: King Charles stands on guard for Canada. King Charles III said Canada is facing unprecedented challenges in a world that's never been more dangerous as he opened the Canadian Parliament on Tuesday with a speech widely viewed as a show of support in the face of annexation threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. (AP Video / May 27, 2025) With the exception of the preamble, the speech was written by the PMO. No matter. The King delivered every word with a subtle passion he usually reserves for red squirrels. PM Mark Carney sat to his right, looking chuffed throughout. Queen Camilla was perched on a throne to his left. She glanced around, probably wondering why nobody else was wearing a hat. But the elephant in the Red Chamber was Donald Trump. 'Today, Canada faces another critical moment,' said King Charles. 'Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination and freedom are values which Canadians hold dear — and ones which the government is determined to protect.' If not fighting words, those were words of conviction. Trump admires the Royal Family. He idolizes King Charles because he wants to be a king. It's why the White House is tricked out as a castle, one that reflects his tacky and vulgar tastes. Can we stick more gold leaf around my mug shot? Trump shrugged when Justin Trudeau balked at becoming governor of the '51st state' because he despised our former PM. He won't shrug after King Charles delivers a forceful message about Canadian sovereignty. He'll think twice about running his yap about merging with Canada if there's any chance such blather might jeopardize his next state visit to the U.K. Before King Charles entered the antechamber — it's a miracle he didn't tip over given the number of medals pinned to his chest — the look in his eyes said, 'I got this, Canada.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW That look returned when he spoke of fundamental change as both unsettling and an opportunity for renewal: 'A confident Canada, which has welcomed new Canadians, including from some of the most tragic global conflict zones, can seize this opportunity by recognizing that all Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away. And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.' The pointed subtext for Trump: Canada gonna Canada with or without America. King Charles delivered the government's speech from the throne in the Senate in Ottawa, reminding Canadians they have much to be proud of while acknowledging the anxieties and difficult issues facing the world. Prime Minister Mark Carney invited the King to read the speech in a symbolic gesture as Canada reasserts its sovereignty. (May 27, 2025 / The Canadian Press) In crossing the pond to be the wingman for Ottawa, King Charles cast himself as a superhero ready to rumble with that supervillain in the red hat. Many Canadians are ambivalent toward the monarchy. Many favour a conscious uncoupling. But Tuesday was proof we need to strengthen our Commonwealth ties so long as a Mad King in Washington keeps making noises about metabolizing our national identity to satisfy his delusional quest for empire. We've already thrown in with the Brits, lad. Carry on. After Tuesday's speech, I bet other Trump targets now have Clarence House on speed dial to see if the Firm can intervene on their behalf. You don't think Greenland would love to have the King talk about how it is not for sale? You don't think Harvard is begging for a King Charles cameo during frosh week? This was only the third time our head of state delivered the Speech From the Throne. It was a momentous occasion, which is why Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau sat together and refrained from any eye-poking. It was Charles's 20th trip to Canada over a quarter-century. Given his health concerns, I got choked up when he said: 'Every time I come to Canada, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream and to my heart.' It did not feel exogenous or like boilerplate. It felt beautifully sincere. Thank you, King Charles, for the reminder: Canada is not alone. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! 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CTV News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Did Brad Marchand really have a Blizzard between periods of Game 3?
Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand (63) reacts after scoring a goal against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Brad Marchand is setting the record straight: The Florida Panthers forward was enjoying a spoonful of honey — not ice cream — between periods of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. And with that, the investigation into Blizzardgate is now closed. Marchand went viral on Saturday after telling Sportsnet reporter Kyle Bukauskas that he was having a Blizzard from Dairy Queen between the second and third periods of Florida's game against the Carolina Hurricanes. There was video of Marchand using a spoon to eat something during that intermission, which prompted the question. It sparked a creamy, delicious controversy, one that Marchand put to rest on Monday. 'It was honey. I was having honey,' Marchand said after Florida's morning skate. 'It was a spoonful of honey.' Sorry, DQ. The claim that the snack was a Blizzard was frozen fib. But Marchand's love of Blizzards apparently is real. 'The amount of messages I got about people going to Dairy Queen yesterday, I appreciate the support,' Marchand said. 'I love a good Blizzard, more than anybody. But it's not something I've had in the middle of a game — yet. Yet. Yet.' The Panthers suspected that Marchand was using a bit of succulent sarcasm. 'I know he said it,' coach Paul Maurice said. 'I'm just not sure that makes it a fact.' The sugary story started to hit the spot soon after the game, and there was a good reason. The Panthers had gotten some notoriety for visiting a Dairy Queen last week on an off day in North Carolina — one was near the hotel where Florida was staying for Games 1 and 2 against the Hurricanes, and a fan's social media posts about seeing the Panthers having some sweet treats went viral. It was logical for Bukauskas to ask if Marchand was still getting his dessert fix in Game 3. 'No chance you were fueling with a Blizzard there, were you?' Bukauskas asked during the Saturday night exchange. 'Yeah, that's a little chocolate chip cookie dough Blizzard right there,' Marchand replied. Now, there is a Dairy Queen about 2.4 miles away from the Panthers' home arena — and it was still open when the game was in its second intermission Saturday. So, is it possible that ice cream could have been sent to the arena? Yes. But did it happen? No. The Panthers, like all teams, have a slew of high-protein or energy-giving snacks available for refueling between periods. And Marchand has always had an affinity for honey. 'I've always loved honey,' Marchand said. 'Actually, when I was growing up, I loved Winnie the Pooh. I used to have Winnie the Pooh, but I would feed him — the bear — honey, so it was covered and rock hard.' His parents didn't love that aspect of his childhood in Nova Scotia. 'I don't think they enjoyed cleaning up a mess, but yeah, I had fun,' Marchand said. 'That's what we do in Halifax. We feed teddy bears honey.' There were hints on Sunday that the Blizzard story was melting. Maurice didn't debunk the story — but cast some doubt on it. 'There are cameras everywhere, man. We can't get away with anything anymore,' Maurice said. 'But that would be a good story.' As it turns out, Marchand may have had a bit of a motive for telling Bukauskas that it was a Blizzard. The TV-savvy Marchand looked directly into the camera afterward — and hinted he might want to add a DQ sponsorship to his endorsement portfolio. 'You can't beat it. It's the best dessert in the world,' Marchand said. 'So, I better get a lifetime free supply of Dairy Queen now. Thank you, fellas.' It should be noted that what Marchand ate between periods worked. He scored a goal in the third period, a few minutes after the snack — part of a five-goal, um, blizzard by the Panthers that sealed Saturday's win. Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press
