What is Dairy Queen’s stock price, and are they publicly traded? Investors cannot purchase shares of Dairy Queen because it is a private company. Wendy’s (NASDAQ: WEN) is a fast food company that traders can invest in.
Dairy Queen (DQ) is one of America’s iconic ice cream and fast-food restaurants. When it opened its doors in Illinois in 1940, its soft-serve ice cream was a novelty, and the brand quickly gained consumer popularity.
Over the years, DQ expanded its ice cream menu and included various fast-food items. This success pushes some fast-food chains to go public to gain more exposure and accelerate their growth. Some of DQ’s biggest competitors, such as McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Chipotle, and others, have followed this path and become very popular in the US markets. Did Dairy Queen follow the same steps? Let’s find out.
Is Dairy Queen Publicly Traded?
Throughout its history, Dairy Queen remained a family business. As a result, there is no Dairy Queen stock. The brand focused on family-friendly dining and quickly grew globally. By 1998, DQ had around 5,700 locations in 20 countries. However, that year, everything changed. The family decided to sell its business to Berkshire Hathaway, the multinational conglomerate of renowned investor Warren Buffett.
Today, DQ still belongs to Berkshire Hathaway. Since its acquisition, global locations have grown to over 7,000. Unfortunately, investors could never invest directly in the company, but at least they could count on it for a snack on a hot summer day.
On the other hand, Berkshire Hathaway has been one of the most successful companies in the US since its beginning, and it is a public company. The best way to invest in Dairy Queen is to buy shares of Berkshire Hathaway.
Warning: Do not confuse Dairy Queen with the stock symbol DQ. Daqo New Energy Corp is a Chinese manufacturing company that belongs to Daqo New Energy Corp and isn’t affiliated with Dairy Queen or Berkshire Hathaway.
Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A or BRK.B) and Dairy Queen
You may be unable to trade Dairy Queen stock, but here’s an alternative. Berkshire Hathaway is led by one of the world’s most experienced and respected investors. Warren Buffett transformed this company from a struggling textile manufacturer to a successful holding company.
He gradually used Berkshire Hathaway’s growing cash flows and strong balance sheet to acquire various businesses across sectors such as insurance, utilities, manufacturing, transportation, and consumer goods.
The company’s portfolio holds public and private companies such as Dairy Queen. Investors can’t invest in private companies, but they can buy public company stocks. Every quarter, Berkshire Hathaway submits a 13F filing and provides details of the company’s stocks, options, and convertible securities. This allows investors to replicate Buffett’s formula for success. Here are some of Berkshire Hathaway’s top holdings as of Q3 2023 (December 31st, 2023).
- Apple (24.8%)
- American Express (14.8%)
- Bank of America (9.9%)
- Coca-Cola (10.4%)
- Chevron (7%)
- Occidental Petroleum (4.98%)
- Kraft Heinz (3.74%)
In the last 13F filing, 38 American and foreign public companies were listed. Apple has always been one of his most popular investments. Berkshire Hathaway’s holdings are very diverse and undoubtedly very successful.
Dairy Queen Revenue and Financial Overview
|
Year
|
Estimated Revenue ($bn)
|
2025 (est.) |
$6.6 |
|---|---|
|
2024 |
$6.4 |
|
2023 |
$6.37 |
|
2022 |
$6.1 |
|
2021 |
$5.9 |
According to some analysts, Dairy Queen’s revenue in 2024 was around $5 billion. Since it isn’t a public company, its key financial metrics can only be estimated. Opening a franchise is one of the ways that you can invest in Dairy Queen. It’s important to perform your due diligence regarding the location, the staff, and the fees.
The total initial investment for a Dairy Queen franchise can range from $1.1 million to $2.5 million. If investing in Dairy Queen is your dream, operating one of its franchises may be the solution.
There is no Dairy Queen Dividend because they are a privately held company.
Public Restaurant Companies to Consider
| Symbol | Name |
|---|---|
| MCD | McDonald’s |
| WEN | Wendy’s |
| CMG | Chipotle |
| QSR | Restaurant Brands Intl. |
| JACK | Jack in the Box |
McDonald’s (NYSE: MCD)
McDonald’s serves its signature hamburgers and other fast food items in more than 36,000 locations worldwide. Around 14,000 of them are located in the US. The company is attractive thanks to its strong brand recognition.
The McDonald’s logo can be seen at major international and local sporting events thanks to various sponsorships. From a financial perspective, McDonald’s has a history of returning value to shareholders through growth, dividends, and share buybacks. It is a reliable stock and has long been part of the prestigious list of dividend aristocrats.
A few decades ago, McDonald’s was seen as a cheap alternative. Since then, its prices have grown as it improves the quality of its ingredients and adopts more sustainable practices. McDonald’s restaurants remain a cornerstone for many consumers around the globe.
The company’s stock has consistently set new yearly highs and rewarded its shareholders. Its 2024 revenue almost hit $26 billion. The US generated most of that revenue at $10.41 billion. They are a great alternative to Dairy Queen stock.
Wendy’s (NASDAQ: WEN)
Wendy’s global footprint is impressive, thanks to its 6,030 US restaurants and over 30 other countries. It is one of the fast food industry’s most recognizable names.
Is Wendy’s a good investment since there’s no Dairy Queen stock? The company’s revenue is far from McDonald’s and even lower than Dairy Queen’s. Wendy’s has been profitable in the last ten years, but its revenue has never been consistent.
There were even periods of revenue decline. In 2024, its annual revenue surpassed $2.24 billion. That was a 3% increase on the 2023 revenue. On a positive note, its yearly dividend yield is attractive. As of March 2025, it is 6.78%.
Chipotle (NYSE: CMG)
Chipotle is one of the fastest-growing chains in the US. It operates 3,700 restaurants in the US, Canada, Germany, France, and the UK. You can visit Chipotle in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Chipotle faced significant challenges in 2015 due to food safety incidents, but successfully implemented a turnaround strategy under new leadership.
The company focused on digitalization and enhancing food safety protocols. Today, its market cap is third in the industry, trailing McDonald’s and Starbucks.
Chipotle’s stock has grown by over 5,000% in the last nine years. During this period, the company missed its quarterly estimates only twice. However, there are concerns about the stock’s valuation. Some argue that its growth is unsustainable. Since that disastrous period in 2015, the company’s revenue has more than doubled.
Last year (2024), it reached $11.3 billion. As a result, this was a 14.6% increase compared to 2023. Chipotle is growing and increasing its profits. It seems like an attractive investment, but beware of the rapid growth. Who knows how long it will last? It could be attractive to DQ if Dairy Queen stock ever happens
Restaurant Brands Intl. (NYSE: QSR)
Restaurant Brands is a prominent quick-service restaurant company with a portfolio of well-known international brands. The company operates through four areas: Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs. Thanks to more than 30,000 restaurants, Restaurant Brands serves over 100 countries.
Financially, Restaurant Brands has been performing well. In 2024, its revenue almost reached $8.406 billion. That is an increase of 19.75% from 2023. The company is projecting to operate 40,000 restaurants by 2028 and double its net income. The company’s stock hasn’t been as attractive as its competitors.
Jack in the Box (NASDAQ: JACK)
We conclude this section with Jack in the Box. The company operates Jack in the Box and Del Taco restaurants in the US, which comprise under 3,000 restaurants. The company hasn’t expanded overseas yet, but has signed an agreement to build 22 new restaurants in Mexico.
Compared to other restaurants on this list, Jack in the Box is still in the early stages of its growth. Despite being profitable, its revenues haven’t been consistent. If the company plans to build more restaurants, it will come at a cost. This stock may still experience some periods of turbulence in the upcoming years.
In 2024, Jack in the Box’s revenue was $1.57 billion. It was down from the $1.68 billion of 2023.
Final Thoughts on Dairy Queen Stock
You can’t invest directly in Dairy Queen stock because it isn’t a public company. It belongs to Warren Buffett’s empire, Berkshire Hathaway. The latter is one of the world’s most valuable and expensive stocks. Even though there’s no Dairy Queen stock, there are several restaurant companies that traders can invest in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dairy Queen a Public Stock?
Dairy Queen has been a private company since 1998, when Warren Buffett bought it.
How Much Did Warren Buffett Buy DQ For?
Warren Buffett bought DQ for $585 million.
What Company Owns Dairy Queen?
Berkshire Hathaway owns Dairy Queen. It is a publicly traded company, and its stock ticker is BRK.A and BRK.B
Does Warren Buffett Still Own Dairy Queen?
Dairy Queen is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which Warren Buffett leads.