Dairy Queen Hours Complete 2026 Guide

Arriving at Dairy Queen only to find it closed wastes your time and ruins your craving for a Blizzard or burger. This guide shows you exactly when Dairy Queen locations open and close so you can plan your visit without disappointment.
Understanding DQ hours is important because each location operates on its own schedule based on franchise ownership, store format, and customer demand in the area. A DQ Grill & Chill near a university might stay open until midnight, while a shopping mall location may close at 8:00 PM. This complete guide explains typical hours for every DQ store type, differences by region, holiday schedules, and the best ways to verify hours at your closest Dairy Queen.

Dairy queen hours


What Time Does Dairy Queen Open and Close?

Most Dairy Queen stores run from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day. Hours change based on location type, franchise owner, and time of year since each DQ operates independently.

Location TypeOpening HoursClosing Hours
DQ Grill & Chill10:00 AM10:00 PM (11:00 PM in summer)
DQ Treat11:00 AM – 12:00 PM9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Mall Locations10:00 AM8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Drive-Thru10:00 AM10:30 PM – 11:00 PM

What Time Does Dairy Queen Open and Close?

DQ time table open and close

Regional Hour Variations

Early Opening (6:00 AM – 7:00 AM)

  1. DQ stores serving breakfast (mostly Texas, Florida, California)
  2. Truck stops and highway rest areas

Standard Opening (10:00 AM – 11:00 AM)

  1. About 78% of all DQ Grill & Chill stores
  2. Most suburban and city standalone restaurants

Late Opening (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)

  1. Ice cream only locations in seasonal areas
  2. Small town DQs with limited staff shifts

Early Closing (8:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

  1. Rural stores with low evening customers
  2. Cold climate states during winter
  3. Mall food court spots

Standard Closing (10:00 PM)

  1. Most Grill & Chill restaurants
  2. Suburban family friendly locations

Extended Hours (11:00 PM – Midnight)

  1. Busy urban locations
  2. College towns (especially during summer)

Peak Hours and Best Times to Visit

Busiest times include lunch from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on weekdays, after school from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, and dinner from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM every day.
Quietest times with shortest waits are mid-morning from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and early afternoon from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Dairy Queen Holiday Hours

Closed Nationwide:

  1. Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
  2. Christmas Day (December 25)

Reduced Hours:

  1. New Year’s Eve: Most close from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (some remain open until 10:00 PM)
  2. New Year’s Day: Opens late from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, closes at normal 10:00 PM time
  3. Easter Sunday: Around 50% operate with shorter hours (12:00 PM to 8:00 PM)

Normal Hours:

  1. Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Veterans Day
  2. St. Patrick’s Day, Cinco de Mayo

Drive-Thru Hours

Many DQ stores keep drive-thru windows open 30 to 60 minutes past lobby closing time. When the dining area closes at 10:00 PM, drive-thru service typically runs until 10:30 PM or 11:00 PM. This schedule is common in Texas, California cities, Florida vacation areas, and Arizona college communities.

Why Dairy Queen Hours Vary

Each Dairy Queen runs as an independent franchise, allowing owners to choose their own hours based on customer demand, staff availability, seasonal customer patterns, and individual business plans. No corporate requirement controls operating hours except basic brand guidelines.

Breakfast at Dairy Queen

Only 15 to 20% of Dairy Queen stores offer breakfast, mainly DQ Grill & Chill restaurants in Texas, Florida, and California. Breakfast service runs from 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM or from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM depending on location. The breakfast menu features burritos, biscuits, pancakes, and hash browns. Ice cream only locations and most mall DQs do not serve breakfast. Call ahead or check the DQ app to confirm if your location serves breakfast before visiting.

Conclusion

Knowing Dairy Queen hours saves you time and ensures you don’t arrive at a closed location. Most DQ stores operate from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, but hours change based on location type, season, and franchise ownership. Always call ahead or use the store locator on dairyqueen.com to verify current hours before your visit. Whether you’re craving a Blizzard, burger, or breakfast, checking hours first guarantees a successful trip to your nearest Dairy Queen.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Most Dairy Queen locations open at 10:00 AM daily. DQ Grill & Chill stores open at 10:00 AM, while Treat-only locations may open at 11:00 AM or noon. Some breakfast locations open at 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM.

Most Dairy Queen stores close at 10:00 PM. Urban and college locations often stay open until 11:00 PM or midnight during summer. Drive-thru service usually runs 30 to 60 minutes longer than dining room hours.

Yes, most Dairy Queen locations operate on Sundays with regular 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM hours. Some franchise owners in certain areas may close early around 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Sundays.

Only 15 to 20% of Dairy Queen locations serve breakfast, mainly DQ Grill & Chill stores in Texas, Florida, and California. Breakfast runs from 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM and includes burritos, biscuits, pancakes, and hash browns.

Only 15 to 20% of Dairy Queen locations serve breakfast, mainly DQ Grill & Chill stores in Texas, Florida, and California. Breakfast runs from 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM and includes burritos, biscuits, pancakes, and hash browns.

Dairy Queen closes nationwide only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Most locations have reduced hours on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with about 50% open on Easter Sunday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Each Dairy Queen operates as an independent franchise, so owners set their own hours based on local demand, staffing, and seasonal patterns. No corporate policy controls specific operating hours beyond basic brand standards.

Call your local store directly for the most current hours. You can also check the official DQ website at dairyqueen.com or use the DQ mobile app, though hours may not always be updated immediately.

Yes, many locations extend summer hours from May through September, often staying open until 11:00 PM instead of 10:00 PM. Tourist area DQs may add 2 to 3 hours to their daily schedule during peak season.