Does Dairy Queen Have Frozen Yogurt in 2024?

Frozen yogurt once challenged ice cream as America’s frozen dessert of choice. The tangy, soft-serve product promised a lighter and healthier alternative to decadent flavors like chocolate and vanilla.

But does Dairy Queen, renowned for its soft serve treats, offer frozen yogurt among its menu in 2024?

Below we’ll explore the changing tides of fro-yo popularity and why most DQs don’t sell it anymore. Yet alternatives still exist for those seeking a yogurt-based or dairy-free indulgence.

The Rapid Rise of Frozen Yogurt’s Popularity

America went crazy for frozen yogurt in the 2000s and early 2010s. Chains like Red Mango, Pinkberry, and Menchie’s popped up rapidly across the country.

Between 2008 to 2014, frozen yogurt shops increased by over 550% according to industry research:

Brands marketed fro-yo as the healthy ice cream alternative. The tart flavor came with claims of lower fat, fewer calories, and even probiotic benefits.

And consumers bought into it – for a while anyway. Frozen yogurt revenue peaked around 2015 at over $3 billion before tapering off.

Why Frozen Yogurt Isn’t as Popular Today

While frozen yogurt enjoyed years as low-fat ice cream’s hottest competitor, demand softened. By 2019 yogurt yearly sales dropped to around $1 billion.

So why did fro-yo fall from glory? Experts cite several key reasons for its lowered popularity:

• Oversaturation – Rapid expansion of fro-yo chains led to shop closures once the craze cooled off. Prime locations were difficult to sustain.
• Less Weight Concerns – Emphasis on low sugar, low fat offerings became less popular as consumer preferences changed.
• Lacked Indulgence – For most people ice cream wins for taste and texture compared to tart frozen yogurt.

Simply put – frozen yogurt shops grew too fast. And their “healthy” halo faded against many shopper’s preference for full-fat, sweet ice cream delicacies.

Dairy Queen’s Past Foray Into Fro-Yo

So did Dairy Queen ever serve frozen yogurt amidst its craze?

Yes, for a short period in the 1990s and early 2000s some locations did sell frozen yogurt soft serve:

"Around the time frozen yogurt was getting popular in the early ‘90s we tested it in 100 or so stores,” said executive vp marketing Barry Westrum about Dairy Queen’s history with yogurt."

– [Restaurant Business Magazine](https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/ financing/dairy-queen-serves-expansion)

However, adding frozen yogurt meant additional machines and space requirements:

Maintaining both ice cream and yogurt equipment proved challenging for stores lacking space. And as fro-yo hype faded, continuing sales was difficult to justify. Thus, frozen yogurt did not remain a permanent fixture in Dairy Queen’s repertoire.

Yogurt Lives on at Orange Julius

Frozen yogurt may not be served anymore, but yogurt still makes an appearance at Dairy Queen by way of Orange Julius.

The drink chain brands itself as an original smoothie innovator. And yogurt constitutes a main ingredient in many Orange Julius creations:

The nutritionals above showcase the yogurt smoothies as the healthier choice over soft serve options. So consumers still have an option if looking to reduce fat and calories!

Accommodating Special Diets

Those avoiding dairy for diet or health find pickings still slim at Dairy Queen. Their menu caters first and foremost to hardcore ice cream lovers!

But with demand growing for vegan and dairy-free ice creams, DQ tweaked their menu. More plant-based consumers emerge each year.

As a result, options like Dilly Bars and kid sized-cones now come in dairy-free and no sugar added varieties. Stores even offer limited sorbet choices.

Contrast this with shops like Van Leeuwen, Nada Moo, or Cado specializing in vegan frozen desserts. Dairy Queen cannot match their selection – but small offerings signal awareness of consumer demand.

Verdict: Dairy Queen Sticks to Ice Cream Strengths

Dairy Queen built an empire satisfying fans of old-fashioned sweet treats. Their soft serve cones transport many back to childhood nostalgia.

And while they briefly served frozen yogurt when it reached fever pitch popularity, most DQs discontinued it. Space constraints and operational challenges proved difficult obstacles.

Yet Dairy Queen still innovates in small ways. Orange Julius yogurt smoothies, dairy-free Dilly Bars, and no sugar options reveal a brand catering beyond their core demographic.

So frozen yogurt won’t make a comeback anytime soon. But Dairy Queen listens as tastes evolve in the never ending pursuit of icy cravings.