Dairy Queen is trying to usurp Burger King’s throne as the fast-food royalty joust to control the vast kingdom of Long Island.
The Illinois-based ice cream and fast food chain whose TV commercials have teased LI residents for years is finally set to open a franchise location in Massapequa next month—ironically dethroning the “Home of the Whopper” that previously sat at the same location.
“We’ve gotten an overwhelmingly positive response from people,” the franchisee, 34-year-old Laura Maier of Massapequa, told Newsday, adding that she plans to open more than the one drive-through location. “We needed one out here.”
The new Dairy Queen Grill & Chill, or DQ as it is known for short, is listed on the chain’s corporate website as coming soon to 5366 Sunrise Hwy., near the corner of Unqua Road and across the street from Westfield Sunrise Mall. Massapequa Patch broke the news in January.
DQ’s entrance into the local marketplace comes after the much-anticipated debut of Sonic in Deer Park two years ago sparked lines down Route 231 and reports that the southern chicken chain Chick-fil-A is shopping for real estate on LI.
Dairy Queen is best known for its soft served ice cream—especially the chocolate-dipped cones—and Blizzard treats but also sells ice cream cakes and a full menu of hot fast food fare.
The original opening date was set for late May but was pushed back while hiring and construction continues. It is reportedly scheduled to open June 5.
The chain, which was founded in 1940, now has more than 6,000 locations in the US, Canada and 20 other counties. The LI location will be the fifth in New York State after four others upstate.
Long Islanders will no longer have to wait for the next road trip to find out why DQ’s commercials advertise treats “So Good It’s riDQulous.”
