Hong Kong – International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), the operator of popular ice cream franchise Dairy Queen, has signed new development agreements covering Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, along with an expansion of its presence in Qatar.
The deals, announced by the company’s wholly owned subsidiary American Dairy Queen Corporation, will bring a total of 187 new Dairy Queen restaurants to the four markets, including both treat-only and hot food and treat formats.
Shanghai Dairy Queen Limited, based in Hong Kong, will open 60 restaurants in Hong Kong and 12 in Macau by 2034. Of these, 48 will be treat-only locations and 24 will offer both hot food and treats.
In Taiwan, SFB Corporation Limited, together with Shanghai Dairy Queen Limited, plans to open and operate 100 DQ restaurants before 2034. Seventy of the planned outlets will be treat-only locations, while 30 will offer the full hot food and treat menu.
Meanwhile, Qatar-based Al-Majid Jawad W.L.L will add 15 new DQ restaurants in the country by 2030. Five will be treat-only and 10 will offer hot food and treats. The group currently operates 10 DQ restaurants in Qatar.
“Entering new markets and growing existing markets is a key component of our growth strategy,” said Nicolas Boudet, COO international at International Dairy Queen. “With 7,700 DQ restaurants in more than 20 markets, we’re pleased to add to our footprint and to do so with experienced franchise ownership groups focused on operating successful restaurants with employees that deliver on our mission to create positive memories for all who touch DQ.”
The first location to open under the new agreements launched on November 18 in Taipei’s landmark Taipei 101 tower. The store serves traditional DQ soft-serve products, including the OREO Cookie Blizzard Treat, as well as locally tailored offerings such as the Pistachio Flavor with Pistachio Crisp Blizzard Treat, Matcha Red Bean Blizzard Treat, Avocado Milkshake and the signature DQ Cone.
Additional openings across the four markets are scheduled to begin in 2026.
