DQ Plans 60% Unit Growth In China Next Year

Orders for soft-serve machines and freezers should be going up soon, at least if Dairy Queen is your customer. International Dairy Queen plans to increase its presence in China by more than 60% by the end of 2011.

The Edina, Minn., company already counts China as its fastest-growing and second-largest market (after the United States). Now DQ aims to grow from today’s 300-plus store count to more than 500 stores by the end of next year, according to Jean Champagne, COO of Dairy Queen’s International Groups division. He and CEO John Gainor discussed the company’s plans at a press conference in Shanghai.

The chain plans 130 to 135 new outlets there this year and more than 145 in 2011, according to Bloomberg News. While the company will continue to grow in Beijing and Shanghai, it also plans to expand in smaller cities, Gainor said.

Dairy Queen has about 6,000 stores worldwide, including more than 700 in 17 countries outside the U.S. and Canada.