What is the minimum gross leasable area required for a Dq Treat captive-venue location?
Dq_Treat Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ADQ offers DQ® Treat franchises for captive venue ("Captive-venue") locations, which are locations in shopping malls or centers (enclosed or open air, such as a lifestyle center) with a minimum of 500,000 square feet of gross leasable area, transportation terminals, hospitals, college and university facilities, parks and recreation areas, office buildings and other locations that cater to high volume walking traffic. Captive-venue locations will operate under the trade name DQ®/Orange Julius®. ADQ also offers DQ® Treat franchises for "Street" locations, which are defined as freestanding, streetscape or strip mall locations with less than 500,000 gross leasable area. Street locations will operate under the trade name DQ®/Dairy Queen®.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor, and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–14)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dq Treat's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a captive-venue location, such as those found in shopping malls, transportation terminals, or college facilities, must be in an area with a minimum of 500,000 square feet of gross leasable area. These locations operate under the trade name DQ®/Orange Julius®.
This requirement ensures that Dq Treat captive-venue franchises are situated in high-traffic areas that can support the business. By mandating a minimum gross leasable area, Dq Treat aims to place its franchises in locations with significant foot traffic, increasing the potential customer base and overall sales volume.
For prospective franchisees, this means that site selection for a captive-venue Dq Treat location must prioritize venues that meet or exceed this 500,000 square foot threshold. Franchisees should verify the gross leasable area of potential locations during their due diligence process to ensure compliance with Dq Treat's franchise requirements. This is a critical factor in determining the viability and approval of a proposed location.