Franchising

International Dairy Queen marks return to Puerto Rico

Image: Dairy Queen

July 1, 2026

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International Dairy Queen Inc., through its subsidiary American Dairy Queen Corporation, has announced a deal to open 20 DQ Grill & Chill restaurants in Puerto Rico by 2036. International Dairy Queen last had restaurants in Puerto Rico more than 20 years ago, according to a press release.

"This new deal expands our established footprint in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico," Nicolas Boudet, chief operating officer, international, at International Dairy Queen, said in the press release. "We selected Caribbean Creamery as our franchisee based on the strength of their leadership team, their operational expertise and their long-term commitment to the market."

The agreement was signed with Caribbean Creamery, an affiliate of Richport Restaurants, owner and operator of franchised restaurants throughout the territory. Their first DQ is expected to open in San Juan in early 2027.

International Dairy Queen is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries.