UPDATE DEC 20, 2018
We finally know when they’ll open. Dairy Queen (DQ) announced Thursday that the newest DQ, located at 2014 Highway North, will open on Friday, December 28, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. The first 100 people to purchase a cake will receive one free Mini Blizzard every week for one year.
A ribbon cutting with both the Benton and Bryant Chamber of Commerce will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the store Grand Opening day.
Saline County has the potential to rival the World Record holding store located in Cabot who had the highest sales day in Dairy Queen history in July.
The Saline County store is locally owned and operated by You Scream Holdings, LLC who also has locations in Sherwood, Little Rock and Cabot with more growth in Central Arkansas planned. The Saline County model holds 84 Fans and has bar top tables that are new to the model. Fans can enjoy the patio year-round with the large outdoor fire place and TVs.
“We are humbled to be so welcomed into the Saline County community. We want Fans to feel like this is their store where they want to bring their families” said Blake Lively, President of You Scream Holdings, LLC. “Due to the large growth and tight-knit community that Saline County offers, it just seemed like the right fit for our next store,” said Lively.
Being locally owned and operated allows for this store to be heavily involved in the community by hosting local fundraisers, donating coupons and hosting free family-friendly events. Those interested in hosting a fundraiser should visit dqarkansas.com.
DQ is a privately held company owned by billionaire Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway. All operations are owned and operated by franchisees. Sherwood, Little Rock, Cabot and Saline County are locally owned and operated by You Scream Holdings, LLC, a family-owned company based in Central Arkansas.
UPDATE DEC 12, 2018
I still don’t have an exact date for when Dairy Queen is opening, but it’s going to be really soon. In fact, they are hiring right now and you can go inside the building this week from 8am – 5pm to apply. That’s not enough info for you? Well they said you can text DQSALINE to 25827 and that gets you on a list to be texted when there’s an opening date AND you’ll likely get a coupon like I did for a free cone from Jan 5-15, 2019.
UPDATE NOV 14, 2018
In the original story below, MySaline told you Dairy Queen is coming around December 2018. There’s still no firm date on the opening, according to local ownership of the Dairy Queen under construction in Benton, but we have new pictures. Crews are still outside working on the property, even in the cold temperatures. Photos by Shelli Poole. Click to enlarge.
Gracie Lively, Communications Coordinator for You Scream Holdings, LLC, stated that leading up to the announcement, the company will make a social media post that tells fans to text a number and get info.
Also note there’s a hiring event on November 24th. Get the details at www.facebook.com/events/498317507339766
UPDATE SEPT 21, 2018
If you are wondering what the construction is behind Academy and Kroger, MySaline broke the news two months ago that Dairy Queen is building a location in Saline County. Well they have now broken ground and are putting in utilities and moving dirt. They are not right on the corner of Highway 5 N and Alcoa Road, but a little to the east, next to Pie Five Pizza. They originally told me that they hope to be open by the end of the year. The pictures below are from September 21, 2018.
ORIGINAL JULY 23, 2018
I’ve known for several months that a certain popular restaurant was coming to town. But which town? No one was able to verify for me whether it was coming to Benton or Bryant. The restaurant is Dairy Queen. And I confirmed today with management that the new location is right at the Benton/Bryant border. It will be near the southeast corner of Alcoa Road and Highway 5 North.
If you followed my old blog in 2005-2007 that was only about Benton (BentOnBenton.com – now defunct), then you know that I cried for a solid week when that particular franchise owner decided to close their doors. They used to be on the south side of Interstate 30, somewhere around where IHOP is now, but I can’t remember exactly where. I’m sure some readers can enlighten me.
The Dairy Queen manager I spoke with told me to expect the new restaurant in the next several months.
Angela Burch says
Dairy Queen for me is one of those “warm fuzzy” blasts from the past. (pun intended)
Ana says
I’m really excited about this!!!! Love me some DQ. I’m from NJ and I got me some DQ every weekend, however that one was not a restaurant you could walk into it was sort of DQ stand had a window to order and pick up was at the 2nd window. It was some delicious ice cream ?!!!
Dottie says
Awe, so excited! Took our grandsons to the one in Benton when they were little boys. They are 23 and 27 now. Will take our granddaughter and great granddaughter. Love Dairy Queen. Now I won’t have to go to Little Rock.
Deborah Blakley says
This makes me happy, happy, happy. Peanut Buster Parfait’s are my favorite DQ treat!!
Glenda says
We have had 2 Dairy Queens in Benton, first one on Military about where walmart intersection is owned by Adams for many years and 2nd one on service lane like mentioned above, where the white Industrial Truck sales are.
Cathryn Goodman says
I am new to Benton, what exit off by 5 would that be ????…
Love love love dairy queen !!!
Shelli Poole says
Alcoa is Exit 121.
Cathryn Goodman says
Can we get a Texas Menu
They are the best in U.S
Theresa Van Horn says
Be something different to get ice cream and other flavors. And hope it will last a long time. Theresa Van Horn
Julian says
the old DQ is where that commercial truck/van dealership is now, just on the other side of the mexican place by Walmart … wasn’t exactly the most user friendly spot after the service roads went one-way
Shelli Poole says
I’m pretty sure that’s what killed it. And there was nothing else over there at the time.
Keith Mitchell says
This one gonna know what steak fingers are? The last one in Benton didn’t have a clue….moved here from Texas in 1999….was so disappointed they were not on the menu. ?
Shelli Poole says
We want what we want, don’t we? I have never had steak fingers, but I plan on going soon to the DQ that just opened in Cabot. I’ll try to remember to look for them.
Susan says
The Dairy Queen in Little Rock off of University openened this past Spring. They serve steak finger basket!
Dee says
I hope it is as good as the one on Military for years
William Fagan says
It was where chicken express is now
Sherry says
I hope they have nachos like the Dairy Queen’s in Texas has. I miss those. No one makes them like Dairy Queen does.
Lois says
I hope they do a better job than the one on 12th street. Have been there 3 times, 3 times order was wrong.
Love me some Dairy Queen!!!
Tony Geurin says
The old Dairy Queen on the service road was just past Wal-Mart behind LaHacienda. Where the lot is that sells the work trucks. Before that it was on the service road about 3 businesses before you get to Bullocks.
Shelli Poole says
Thanks!
Jason Harris says
I remember the wonderful one on Military Rd. in Benton for so many years. Broke my heart when it shut down. Then we had that poor version down on the service road, near La Hacienda. That didn’t last long. I’m really hoping that this one is a first class establishment and is managed well. Everyone loves DQ.
Shelli Poole says
I didn’t live here when it was on Military, but people say it was a teen hangout and they talk about one guy (employee? manager? owner?) like he was the 2nd dad of everyone in the city.
Linda Hankins says
I remember Dairy Queen and Tastes Freeze on the service road just up from Bullock’s.
Melissa says
Awesome I can’t wait! I think it’s a commercial truck lot now. I know it was in between Walmart and Days Inn.
Jan says
Yes. Right next to LaHacienda. Still miss the BEST DQ ever though on Military. We were wishing last night it was still there
Donna Doggett says
Diary Queen is the best news I have heard in forever!!!! Thanks for telling us, can’t wait to tell my neighbors, an elderly couple that has talked about wanting the franchise to come to Saline county ever since I’ve known them.