Franopolis

    DQ Grill Chill

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Reviewed sources

    DQ Grill & Chill combines hot food offerings with Dairy Queen soft-serve treats in a restaurant format. Franchise locations serve customers using the brand's menu, operating systems and restaurant designs.

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    Headline figures

    DQ Grill Chill quick facts

    How much does it cost to open a DQ Grill Chill franchise?
    The DQ Grill Chill Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $250,000–$1,200,000 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 30). This is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What is the DQ Grill Chill initial franchise fee?
    The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $10,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 21). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
    What ongoing fees does DQ Grill Chill charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is 4% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 26). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does DQ Grill Chill disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The DQ Grill Chill FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 69). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    Is DQ Grill Chill a good franchise to buy?
    Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 lists every recurring fee beyond royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1Opening costs are estimated at $250,000 – $1,200,000 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 23 separate groups: other measures for locations; revenue and other measures for 248 locations; revenue and other measures for 157 locations; revenue and other measures for 282 locations; other measures and revenue for 313 locations; revenue and other measures for 286 locations; other measures and revenue for 185 locations; other measures and revenue for 203 locations; other measures and revenue for 16 locations; other measures for 248 locations; other measures for 16 locations; other measures for locations; other measures for 185 locations; other measures for 157 locations; other measures for locations; other measures for 286 locations; other measures for 282 locations; other measures for 313 locations; other measures for 203 locations; other measures for 248 locations; other measures for 282 locations; other measures for 313 locations; other measures for 286 locations. They are not combined.

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    Franchises under $500kOther brands whose disclosed Item 7 low end fits this budget.

    DQ Grill Chill head-to-head

    Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.

    DQ Grill ChillVSLittle Caesars
    Compare head-to-head
    DQ Grill ChillVSSubway
    Compare head-to-head
    DQ Grill ChillVSWingstop
    Compare head-to-head
    DQ Grill ChillVSSonic Drive-In
    Compare head-to-head

    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Total estimated initial investment

    2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 30

    Standard single-unit franchise fee

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 21
    Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

    Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.

    be the mid-point between the continuing license fee in effect for years 1-5 and — 4%Main ongoing fee

    28 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.

    Financial Performance — Item 19

    What results are disclosed—and for which locations?

    23 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.

    Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A restaurants

    Other measures

    Who is counted
    Schedule A restaurants
    Period
    $110
    Excluded
    No P&L with 12 full months, 3%+ variance from ADQ sales report, or obvious P&L error.

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    Coverage not stated in the reviewed record · counts as of year end of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 ·

    Questions to investigate

    Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.

    For the franchisor

    • Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($250,000 – $1,200,000) vary most by market, and why?

    • Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?

    • Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?

    • Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?

    For current and former owners

    • How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?

    • How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?

    • How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?

    • What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?

    For your advisors

    • Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.

    • Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.

    Sources & vintage history

    Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.

    Citations (2026 FDD)

    1. [1]Estimated initial investment — Item 7 · PDF p. 30
    2. [2]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 21
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A restaurants · PDF p. 69
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding, franchisee-owned and operated DQ Gr… · PDF p. 66
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule B subset: restaurants with usable franchisee P&Ls for the year · PDF p. 67
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding, franchisee-owned and operated DQ Gr… · PDF p. 66
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding, franchisee-owned and operated DQ Gr… · PDF p. 66
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding, franchisee-owned and operated DQ Gr… · PDF p. 66
    9. [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule B subset: restaurants with usable franchisee P&Ls for the year · PDF p. 67
    10. [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule B subset: restaurants with usable franchisee P&Ls for the year · PDF p. 68
    11. [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule B subset: restaurants with usable franchisee P&Ls for the year · PDF p. 68
    12. [12]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding DQ Grill & Chill restaurants, franch… · PDF p. 66
    13. [13]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule B: subset of Schedule A restaurants with usable P&Ls for the stated ye… · PDF p. 68
    14. [14]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding DQ Grill & Chill restaurants, franch… · PDF p. 66
    15. [15]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule B: subset of Schedule A restaurants with usable P&Ls for the stated ye… · PDF p. 67
    16. [16]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule B: subset of Schedule A restaurants with usable P&Ls for the stated ye… · PDF p. 67
    17. [17]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Restaurants excluded from Schedule A because they were not open or did not repo… · PDF p. 66
    18. [18]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding DQ Grill & Chill restaurants, franch… · PDF p. 66
    19. [19]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding DQ Grill & Chill restaurants, franch… · PDF p. 66
    20. [20]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding DQ Grill & Chill restaurants, franch… · PDF p. 66
    21. [21]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule B: subset of Schedule A restaurants with usable P&Ls for the stated ye… · PDF p. 68
    22. [22]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding, franchisee-owned and operated DQ Gr… · PDF p. 66
    23. [23]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding, franchisee-owned and operated DQ Gr… · PDF p. 66
    24. [24]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding, franchisee-owned and operated DQ Gr… · PDF p. 66
    25. [25]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Schedule A: newly constructed freestanding, franchisee-owned and operated DQ Gr… · PDF p. 66

    "PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD

    Territory & operations

    301 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.

    These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2025accumul a ted other comprehens i ve l os s-$3,184
    2025tota l revenues$266,139
    2025accounts payable, accruals, and other liabilities-$10,331
    2025net advances to affiliate pursuant to cash pooling arrangement$7,036
    2025liabilities and stockholder's equity current liabilities accounts pa ya bl e$31,373
    2025deferred income taxes, net$19,528
    2025tota l a s s ets$365,085
    2025net income$100,623
    2025goodwi l l$92,132
    2025current porti on of opera ti ng l ea s e l i a bi l i ti es$1,056
    2025tota l noncurrent a s s ets$242,695
    2025net cash-$9,784

    These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

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    Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.

    Related research

    Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format, overlapping investment range, Item 20 outlet count and search interest. This is not a ranking or recommendation.

    Little CaesarsSubwayWingstopSonic Drive-InFive GuysTaco Bell Corp.

    Head-to-head comparisons

    DQ Grill Chill vs Little CaesarsDQ Grill Chill vs SubwayDQ Grill Chill vs WingstopDQ Grill Chill vs Sonic Drive-InDQ Grill Chill vs Five GuysDQ Grill Chill vs Taco Bell Corp.
    Compare reviewed facts

    At a glance

    Business history

    Not reviewed

    Owner participation

    Not reviewed

    Territory language

    Litigation disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Bankruptcy disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Agreement term

    Not reviewed

    Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.

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