Business Hours

Dairy Queen Hours: Opening, Closing, Breakfast, Lunch & Holiday Schedule

Nothing is worse than driving out for a Blizzard at night and finding dark windows. Local owners run almost every DQ shop. That’s why Dairy Queen hours aren’t the same in every town. One store might stay open past 11:00 PM. The one across town might lock up at 9:00 PM.

We checked store times on the Dairy Queen Official Website and called local shops. That way, you get all the real hours in one place. Here’s when DQ opens, when hot food starts, and how late the drive-thru stays open tonight.

Quick Look: Dairy Queen Hours Today

Most Dairy Queen stores open at 10:00 AM and close at 10:00 PM from Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday nights, most shops stay open until 11:00 PM. Some stores open an hour later on Sunday at 11:00 AM.

Here is the weekly schedule for Dairy Queen business hours at most full-size stores, including when you can stop by for Dairy Queen Breakfast at participating locations.

Day	Dining Room Opens	Dining Room Closes	Drive-Thru Closes	Delivery Stops
Monday	10:00 AM	10:00 PM	10:30 PM	9:30 PM
Tuesday	10:00 AM	10:00 PM	10:30 PM	9:30 PM
Wednesday	10:00 AM	10:00 PM	10:30 PM	9:30 PM
Thursday	10:00 AM	10:00 PM	10:30 PM	9:30 PM
Friday	10:00 AM	11:00 PM	11:30 PM	10:30 PM
Saturday	10:00 AM	11:00 PM	11:30 PM	10:30 PM
Sunday	11:00 AM	10:00 PM	10:30 PM	9:30 PM

Late-Night Drive-Thru Tip

Did you pull into the lot at 9:50 PM and see the chairs up on the tables? Don’t leave just yet. Most standalone stores keep the drive-thru open 30 to 60 minutes after locking the front doors. Pull up to the speaker box first. If the menu board light is on, the night crew is still serving food and ice cream.

Dairy Queen Open Hours by Store Style

Before you check the Dairy Queen hours for today, look at which type of store is near you. Dairy Queen has four main store setups, and each one keeps its own schedule. If you’re planning to visit in person to ask about job opportunities or submit a Dairy Queen job application, checking the store’s hours ahead of time can save you a trip.

1. DQ Grill & Chill Stores

This is the classic standalone shop with indoor booths, a big lot, and a drive-thru lane. Grill & Chill stores cook the full hot menu from the Dairy Queen Full Menu. They also make all the cones, sundaes, and Blizzards. Almost all of them open at 10:00 AM daily. They close at 10:00 PM on weeknights and 11:00 PM on weekends.

2. Mall Treat Stores and Orange Julius Counters

Small shops inside malls and travel stops only make cold treats and drinks. They blend Blizzards, smoothies, and shakes. A few also keep a small warmer for hot dogs or soft pretzels. They don’t have burger grills or fryers. For morning opening hours Dairy Queen mall counters follow the mall’s schedule. Most open at 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM from Monday to Saturday. They close early around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. On Sundays, mall shops usually run from noon until 6:00 PM.

3. Texas Country Stores

Texas has nearly 600 DQ stores with their own state menu. That’s where you’ll find the Hungr-Buster burger, steak finger baskets, country gravy, and T-Brand tacos. Small-town Texas stores are big morning coffee spots for locals. Many unlock the doors at 7:00 AM for breakfast. They stay open until 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM at night.

4. Walk-Up Window Stands

Older towns and beach spots still have classic walk-up DQ stands. These small buildings have outdoor benches and no indoor tables. You walk right up to the front glass window to order cones and sundaes. Walk-up stands usually open around 11:00 AM or noon. In cold northern states, most walk-up stands close down in October and open back up in spring.

Dairy Queen Breakfast Hours

Only about one in three Dairy Queen stores serves breakfast. You’ll mostly find morning food at Texas stores, highway stops, and select Midwest Grill & Chill shops.

At stores that cook morning food, here are the regular Dairy Queen breakfast hours:

What's on the Morning Menu?

Stores with breakfast cook real hot food on the grill:

Warm buttermilk biscuits with sausage, bacon, egg, and melted cheese.
Sausage and white country gravy poured over split biscuits.
Fluffy pancake platters with eggs, bacon, and crispy hash browns.
Warm breakfast burritos stuffed with eggs, sausage, cheese, and salsa.
Hot coffee, sweet iced coffee, orange juice, and milk.

Why You Should Order Before 10:15 AM

If you want biscuits and gravy on a weekday, try to get there by 10:15 AM. Around 10:20 AM, the cook scrapes down the flat grill. They have to turn up the heat to cook lunch burgers. Once they switch the grill over, they can’t cook more eggs or pancakes. You can check if your local shop serves breakfast on the Dairy Queen Store Locator.

Dairy Queen Lunch Hours and Dinner Cutoff

Are you heading out for a Chicken Strip Basket, cheese curds, or a bacon burger? Here is when the kitchen starts cooking lunch (Daily Meal Dairy Queen Lunch Guide):

Monday through Friday: Dairy Queen lunch hours start at 10:30 AM.
Saturday and Sunday: Lunch starts at 11:00 AM.
Night Cutoff: Once lunch starts, hot food stays on the menu all day until closing time. One of these useful Dairy Queen Facts can help you plan your visit and enjoy your favorite hot meals whenever you stop by.

Can You Get Burgers at 10:00 AM?

At most stores, yes. Most Dairy Queen shops don't serve breakfast at all. Those stores open at 10:00 AM with the burger grill and fryers already hot. You only have to wait until 10:30 AM if your store cooks breakfast first.

Can You Order Ice Cream in the Morning?

Yes, you can. The crew turns on the soft-serve machines before unlocking the front doors. You can buy a Blizzard, dipped cone, banana split, or sundae right at 10:00 AM. At breakfast stores, you can even grab a cone at 7:30 AM.

When Does the $7 Meal Deal Run?

Dairy Queen's $7 Meal Deal comes with a burger or chicken strips, fries, a drink, and a sundae. You don't have to visit at noon to get it. Stores serve the Meal Deal all day long from 10:30 AM until closing time.

Dairy Queen Happy Hour Deals

If you want a cheap drink or snack after school or work, many shops run a weekday Dairy Queen happy hour.

Days: Monday through Friday only (no weekend Happy Hour).
Time Window: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Where to Order: Inside the lobby, in the drive-thru lane, or on the DQ app at participating stores.

Typical Happy Hour Prices

Local owners set their own specials, so deals vary by town. Most stores offer:

$1 or $2 Small Drinks: Low prices on fountain sodas and sweet Misty Slush flavors.
Half-Price Iced Coffee and Smoothies: 50% off or $2 deals on small iced coffees, frappes, and fruit smoothies.
App Snack Deals: Extra afternoon coupons in the DQ app for warm pretzel sticks, small shakes, or fries.

Look for the Happy Hour sign on the drive-thru post between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to see your local deals.

Dining Room vs. Drive-Thru vs. Delivery Cutoff Times

When you check Dairy Queen open hours, remember one key rule. A single store usually has three different closing times every night:

1. Indoor Lobby Hours

The dining room closes first, usually at 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM. Locking the front doors early lets the crew mop floors, wipe booths, and count the register safely.

2. Drive-Thru Window Hours

The drive-thru stays open 30 to 60 minutes past lobby close at most standalone stores. On Friday and Saturday nights, busy drive-thrus often serve cars until 11:30 PM or midnight.

3. Delivery App Cutoff

Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub stop taking orders 30 to 45 minutes before close. If your local DQ closes at 10:00 PM, place your delivery order by 9:15 PM or 9:30 PM. That gives your driver enough time to pick up the food before the kitchen shuts down.

Summer Hours vs. Winter Hours

Dairy Queen schedules change twice a year when the seasons shift.

Late May to August

Weekends 12:00 AM

Summer Schedule

Warm summer nights bring the longest lines of the year. Families pack the drive-thru between 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM after ball games and pool trips. Most stores stay open an extra hour from late May through August. They close at 11:00 PM on weeknights and midnight on weekends.

November to February

Weeknights 9:00 PM

Winter Schedule

In cold states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, and North Dakota, ice cream sales drop when snow hits. During winter:

Full-service Grill & Chill shops often close an hour early at 9:00 PM on weeknights.
Walk-up outdoor Treat stands shut down for the winter in late October. They open back up in March or April.

Dairy Queen Holiday Hours Schedule

Dairy Queen stays open on most holidays, though many shops close early so workers can go home. On Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, almost every store closes all day. To avoid a wasted trip, check What Time Does Dairy Queen Close on holidays by confirming the hours with your local store before visiting.

According to the Dairy Queen Holiday Hours Guide, here is how holidays work at most stores:

Holiday Hours Calendar 18 Holidays

JANUARY 01 Open
New Year's Day (Jan 1)
Open (11:00 AM to 9:00 PM at most stores).
JANUARY Open
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Open regular hours (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM).
FEBRUARY 14 Open
Valentine's Day (Feb 14)
Open regular hours (busy for heart cake pickups).
FEBRUARY Open
Presidents' Day
Open regular hours (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM).
SPRING Open
First Day of Spring (Free Cone Day)
Open regular hours (long lines from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM).
SPRING Varies
Easter Sunday
Varies by owner (half of stores close; open stores run 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM).
MAY Open
Mother's Day
Open regular hours (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM).
MAY Open
Memorial Day
Open (10:00 AM to 11:00 PM as summer hours start).
JUNE Open
Father's Day
Open regular hours (10:00 AM to 10:30 PM).
JULY 04 Early Close
Independence Day (July 4)
Open, but many close early at 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM.
SEPTEMBER Open
Labor Day
Open regular hours (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM).
OCTOBER 31 Early Close
Halloween (Oct 31)
Open (some close early at 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM).
NOVEMBER 11 Open
Veterans Day (Nov 11)
Open regular hours (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM).
NOVEMBER Closed
Thanksgiving Day
Closed nationwide.
NOVEMBER Open
Black Friday
Open regular hours (10:00 AM to 11:00 PM).
DECEMBER 24 Early Close
Christmas Eve (Dec 24)
Open, but closes early between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
DECEMBER 25 Closed
Christmas Day (Dec 25)
Closed nationwide.
DECEMBER 31 Early Close
New Year's Eve (Dec 31)
Open, but closes early around 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM.

4 Fast Ways to Check Dairy Queen Hours Near Me

Local owners can change their store hours whenever they need to. It only takes 30 seconds to check Dairy Queen hours near me before you grab your keys. Here are four easy ways to check hours for Dairy Queen near me:

1. Check the Official DQ Store Locator

The best page to check is the Dairy Queen Store Locator. Type in your zip code or city name, then tap your shop. It lists separate hours for the indoor lobby, the drive-thru window, and morning breakfast.

2. Open the DQ Mobile App

Download the free DQ app on iPhone or Android. When you tap a store to check Dairy Queen near me hours, the app links right to that store’s cash register. If a shop closed early because of a storm or a broken machine, the app turns off ordering right away.

3. Look at Google Maps or Apple Maps

Type Dairy Queen hours today into Google Maps to see the store’s phone number, street address, and open badge. Scroll down to the “Popular Times” chart to see if the drive-thru line is backed up right now.

4. Call the Store on Holidays or Stormy Days

On Easter, July 4th, or Christmas Eve, store owners don’t always update Google Maps for a one-day change. Tap the phone number on the map listing and let it ring. A quick 15-second call saves you a wasted drive.

Working at DQ: How Much Does Dairy Queen Pay an Hour?

Lots of people checking store hours are also looking for a part-time job. While exploring the Dairy Queen menu and learning more about the brand, many job seekers also want to know how much Dairy Queen pays per hour before filling out a job application.

Average Hourly Pay by State and Job

Based on worker pay reports from Indeed Dairy Queen Team Member Salaries, a full-time Dairy Queen Team Member in the U.S. earns an average of $13.47 per hour.

If you’re asking how much does Dairy Queen pay per hour in your town, the starting rate depends on your state’s minimum wage law:

Most U.S. States: New front-counter cashiers, drive-thru workers, and Blizzard blenders start between $10.00 and $15.00 per hour.
High Minimum Wage States: In California, Washington, Oregon, and New York, state wage laws push starting pay to $16.00 to $20.00 per hour.
Texas and Small-Town Pay (Cooper, Texas Example): In states that use the $7.25 federal minimum wage floor, starting pay is lower. Data from Indeed Dairy Queen Texas Crew Salaries shows the average Crew Member pay across Texas is $10.25 per hour. In smaller towns—like the hourly pay Cooper Texas Dairy Queen crew members earn—starting pay runs from $9.50 to $11.50 per hour. Grill cooks, cake decorators, and shift managers make more, averaging $12.50 to $16.00 per hour.

Best Hours to Drop Off a Job Form

If you want to hand your job form to the manager in person, timing matters:

Best Hours to Visit: Go Monday through Thursday between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The lunch rush is over and the dinner crowd hasn’t started yet. The manager will actually have time to come out and talk with you.
Worst Hours to Visit: Never ask to talk to a manager between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM or between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM. The kitchen and drive-thru are packed with guests during meal rushes.

Smart Tips for Your Next Dairy Queen Visit

1. Order Custom Ice Cream Cakes 48 Hours Ahead: You can grab a ready-made cake out of the lobby freezer during any open hour. If you want custom writing or a photo on top, order it 2 days early on the app or by phone.
2. Skip the 8:00 PM Drive-Thru Rush: On warm nights, everyone heads to DQ right after dinner. Go before 7:00 PM or between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM for the shortest wait.
3. Use Curbside Pickup When the Drive-Thru Line Is Long: Don’t sit in a 15-car drive-thru line. Place your order in the DQ app and park in a numbered curbside spot. A worker will walk your tray right out to your car window.
4. Use DQ Rewards for Free Food: The free DQ app gives you 10 points for every $1 you spend. Points add up fast for free cones, Blizzards, and cheeseburgers.
5. Ask About Senior Discounts: Many local owners give guests aged 55 and up a 10% discount or a free small drink during daytime hours. Just ask at the counter.
6. Check Local Store Facebook Pages in Bad Weather: Small-town DQ owners almost always post snow closures, power outages, and school spirit nights on their store’s Facebook page first.

Quick Reference Chart for Common DQ Searches

What You're Searching For	Fast Answer
dairy queen hours	10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Sun–Thu); 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM (Fri–Sat)
dairy queen hours near me	Enter your zip code on the official DQ Store Locator page
dairy queen breakfast hours	7:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Mon–Fri); 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Sat–Sun) at select stores
dairy queen happy hour	2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday at participating stores
dairy queen near me hours	Check live store status on the DQ App or Google Maps
dairy queen open hours	Standard stores open at 10:00 AM; breakfast stores open at 7:00 AM
opening hours dairy queen	10:00 AM Monday–Saturday; 11:00 AM on Sundays at most shops
dairy queen hours today	Open normal hours today (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM at most stores)
dairy queen business hours	12 to 13 hours daily for Grill & Chill; 9 to 10 hours for Mall Treat shops
dairy queen hours for today	Regular hours today unless it is Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day
hours for dairy queen near me	Drive-thru windows often stay open 30–60 minutes after the lobby closes
dairy queen lunch hours	Starts at 10:30 AM (Weekdays) and 11:00 AM (Weekends) until closing
how much does dairy queen pay an hour	$13.47/hr U.S. average for full-time team members on Indeed
how much does dairy queen pay per hour	$10.00/hr to $20.00/hr depending on state minimum wage laws
hourly pay cooper texas dairy	$9.50 to $11.50/hr starting crew pay ($10.25/hr Texas average)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Most standalone Dairy Queen Grill & Chill stores open at 10:00 AM from Monday to Saturday and 11:00 AM on Sunday. Shops that cook breakfast open at 7:00 AM.

Most stores close at 10:00 PM from Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday nights. Mall kiosk shops close earlier around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM.

Yes. Lunch starts at 10:30 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM on weekends (or at 10:00 AM at stores without breakfast). Once lunch starts, burgers, chicken strips, and fries are cooked until closing time.

At stores with morning food, Dairy Queen breakfast hours run from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM Monday through Friday, and 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM on weekends.

Many stores run Dairy Queen happy hour Monday through Friday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. You can get deals on sodas, Misty Slushes, iced coffees, and smoothies.

No. Almost every Dairy Queen store in the U.S. and Canada closes on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day so workers can be with their families.

Yes. Soft-serve machines are ready before the doors unlock. You can order a Blizzard, cone, shake, or sundae right at 10:00 AM.

Yes. At many standalone Grill & Chill stores, the drive-thru stays open 30 to 60 minutes later than the indoor dining room.

Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub stop taking orders 30 to 45 minutes before the store closes so drivers can pick up the food in time.

About This Guide & Sources

How We Checked These Times: We checked store hours, meal changeover times, holiday closures, and pay data using the Dairy Queen Official Website, the Dairy Queen Store Locator, the Daily Meal Dairy Queen Lunch Guide, the Dairy Queen Holiday Hours Guide, and worker wage reports on Indeed Dairy Queen Salaries.
Why Local Hours Can Differ: Local franchise owners run more than 95% of Dairy Queen stores. Each owner sets their own hours, prices, and local deals. Always check the official store locator or call your local shop before heading out late at night or on a holiday.