Dairy Queen is celebrating its massive 85th anniversary in 2025 with an incredible deal that has dessert lovers buzzing. From March 24 to April 6, 2025, DQ Rewards members can score a small Blizzard Treat for just 85 cents through the DQ Mobile App with a minimum purchase of $1. This limited-time celebration honors the company’s long-standing tradition of creating iconic frozen treats that have delighted generations. As Maria Hokanson, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Dairy Queen, perfectly states, “For 85 years, we have been serving up smiles, sweet traditions and the most iconic frozen treats around. We figured what better way to celebrate this milestone than by giving our fans even more reason to indulge in their favorite flavors by offering them an 85-cent Blizzard.”
The 85-Cent Blizzard Deal You Can’t Miss
Dairy Queen’s anniversary celebration brings a truly exceptional offer to frozen treat enthusiasts everywhere. The 85-cent small Blizzard deal honors each year of DQ’s impressive history while giving customers a budget-friendly way to enjoy their favorite frozen dessert. To redeem this special promotion, you’ll need to be a DQ Rewards member and use the DQ Mobile App when placing your order.
The promotion runs for a limited time only – from March 24 through April 6, 2025. With a minimum purchase of just $1 required, this deal makes for an incredibly affordable treat. I’ve already marked my calendar for this promotion, as it’s rare to find such iconic desserts at this price point in today’s market.
If you’re not already a DQ Rewards member, now is the perfect time to sign up through the DQ Mobile App. Members receive exclusive access to deals throughout the year, not just during special promotions like this anniversary celebration. The entire process takes just a few minutes and opens the door to savings on your favorite frozen treats and meals.
This celebration highlights DQ’s commitment to customer appreciation while showcasing the enduring popularity of their signature Blizzard Treats. There’s something nostalgic yet continuously appealing about these award-winning frozen desserts that have managed to remain relevant across multiple generations.
Fresh Flavors: The New Summer Blizzard Menu
The celebration continues with DQ’s exciting new Summer Blizzard Treat Menu launching March 31, 2025. This seasonal lineup features both innovative new creations and returning fan favorites that provide the perfect refreshment for warmer weather. The timing couldn’t be better, with the new menu arriving just as the 85-cent Blizzard promotion is happening.
Among the most anticipated new offerings is the Mixing Bowl Mashup Blizzard Treat, which combines multiple textures and flavor profiles for a truly indulgent experience. The Dipped Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard Treat also joins the lineup, featuring real strawberries and cheesecake pieces blended with DQ’s famous soft serve and finished with a special dipped coating.
Fan-favorite flavors are making their triumphant return as well. The S’mores Blizzard Treat, which won a recent fan vote, captures the essence of summer campfires with its blend of chocolate chunks, graham cracker pieces, and marshmallow-flavored syrup. The vibrant Confetti Cake and whimsical Cotton Candy Blizzard Treats are also back by popular demand, adding a range of flavor options that appeal to diverse palates.
These seasonal offerings showcase DQ’s knack for balancing nostalgia with innovation. Each Blizzard creation undergoes rigorous taste testing to ensure it meets the brand’s quality standards while delivering the unique experience customers expect. The company continually explores new flavor combinations while honoring classic favorites that have stood the test of time.
More Ways to Save: BOGO Blizzards and Beyond
The 85th birthday celebration isn’t the only opportunity to save on your favorite DQ treats this year. Mark your calendars for September 9-22, 2025, when the annual BOGO Free Blizzard promotion returns. This popular deal allows DQ Rewards members to get two Blizzard Treats for the price of one when ordering through the DQ App.
The BOGO deal is limited to one-time use per account but applies to any Blizzard Treats of equal or lesser value. This makes it perfect for trying one of your reliable favorites alongside a new seasonal flavor you might be curious about. Many DQ enthusiasts look forward to this promotion each year as an opportunity to indulge with friends or family.
Beyond frozen treats, Dairy Queen offers value through their popular $7 Meal Deals available year-round. These comprehensive meals include four items at an affordable price point, with options like the 3-Piece Chicken Strip Meal Deal or the Original Cheeseburger Meal Deal. Each meal comes with fries, a drink, and a delicious sundae, with the option to upgrade to a mini Blizzard for a small additional charge.
These ongoing promotions reflect DQ’s commitment to providing value while maintaining quality across their menu. The combination of competitive pricing and consistent quality has helped Dairy Queen maintain customer loyalty for 85 years in an increasingly competitive fast food landscape.
The Blizzard Revolution: How DQ Changed Desserts
When the Blizzard Treat first debuted in 1985, it revolutionized the quick-service dessert category with its thick, upside-down presentation. The simple yet brilliant concept—blending soft serve with mix-ins like candy, cookies, and fruit—created an entirely new dessert experience that competitors have tried to replicate for decades.
What makes Blizzards truly special is their perfect consistency—thick enough to hold upside down (the famous “flip test” performed by DQ employees), yet still spoonable and not too dense. This signature texture combined with endless flavor possibilities has kept the Blizzard relevant for generations of dessert lovers.
Over the years, DQ has released hundreds of Blizzard flavors, from seasonal limited editions to permanent menu staples. Some of the most beloved varieties include Oreo, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, which have remained consistently popular despite changing tastes in the food industry.
The Blizzard’s enduring popularity speaks to DQ’s understanding of what customers want in a dessert experience—customization, quality ingredients, and a consistent product that delivers on its promise every time. As the company celebrates 85 years, the Blizzard remains the cornerstone of their dessert menu and a key driver of customer loyalty.
Behind the Brand: Dairy Queen’s Legacy
Dairy Queen’s journey began in 1940 when the first store opened in Joliet, Illinois, selling a new type of soft-serve ice cream developed by John Fremont McCullough and his son Alex. The product was softer than traditional ice cream because it was served at a warmer temperature, creating the creamy consistency that would become DQ’s signature.
The company’s name came from the founders’ belief that their product was the “queen” of dairy products. From those humble beginnings, DQ expanded rapidly through franchising, reaching the milestone of 100 stores by 1947 and 1,446 locations by 1955. This growth pattern established the foundation for global expansion that would follow in later decades.
Today, International Dairy Queen, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serves as the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. The company operates over 7,700 restaurants across more than 20 countries, making it one of the most recognizable food chains worldwide.
Since 1998, Dairy Queen has been a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., led by famed investor Warren Buffett. This acquisition brought stability and resources to support continued growth while maintaining the beloved tradition of quality dairy treats that customers have enjoyed for generations.
Community Impact and Brand Evolution
Beyond serving frozen treats, Dairy Queen has made significant contributions to communities through charitable initiatives. Most notably, DQ has maintained a long-standing partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1984, raising over $170 million for children’s health. The annual Miracle Treat Day, where proceeds from Blizzard sales go to local children’s hospitals, exemplifies the company’s commitment to giving back.
Over 85 years, DQ has balanced tradition with innovation, expanding from simple soft-serve cones to a diverse menu that includes hot foods, drinks, and various dessert options. The introduction of the DQ Grill & Chill concept in 2001 marked a significant evolution for the brand, offering expanded food options while maintaining the frozen treats that made them famous.
The company’s marketing approach has also evolved while maintaining consistent brand identity elements. The iconic red spoon logo and the slogan “Fan Food, Not Fast Food” have helped maintain brand recognition while positioning DQ as more than just an ice cream shop. Their social media presence now engages millions of fans across digital platforms, creating modern connections with a nostalgic brand.
As Dairy Queen celebrates its 85th birthday with special promotions like the 85-cent Blizzard deal, it’s clear that the company understands how to honor its heritage while looking toward the future. By combining value offers with quality products and community engagement, DQ continues to find new ways to serve up smiles to generations of customers. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the DQ experience, there’s never been a better time to enjoy their iconic frozen treats and be part of a truly American success story.