Does Dairy Queen Have Waffle Cones in 2024?
Waffle cones are a classic way to enjoy chilled sweet treats on warm summer days. The crunchy, waffled exterior provides texture that perfectly complements soft serve‘s creamy interior. But waffle cone availability has changed over the years at one of America‘s most iconic ice cream chains – Dairy Queen (DQ).
Waffle Cones Once a Signature Menu Item
DQ first opened in 1940 and, within two decades, grew to over 2,600 total locations across the United States. The concept that made it stand out from contemporaries? Its soft serve recipe and signature "Curly Top" waffle ice cream cones.
In fact, waffle cones remained a staple menu component for decades. But over time, maintaining fresh waffle cone inventory became cost and labor prohibitive at many franchises.
The Business Case Behind Phasing Out Waffle Cones
According to Gary Prince, owner of Dairy Queen franchises in Texas, waffle cones have a max shelf life of about 8 hours. So for high-volume stores, employees had to prepare multiple waffle cone batters daily, requiring specialized training and equipment.
Plus, waffle batters and irons are more expensive than cake cone ingredients. And as labor costs rose, most locations decided sacrificing waffle cones in favor of operational efficiency was prudent.
Availability Still Varied Regionally As of 2023
The good news for waffle cone loyalists is that some locations still choose to offer them based on consumer demand, quality expectations, and labor dynamics in their respective regions.
For instance, one Midwest franchise owner explained that his rural stores sell far fewer cones than his suburban locations. Maintaining waffle cone inventory would lead to excessive waste in lower traffic stores. So availability varies across his franchises.
Waffle Bowl Sundaes Also Hard to Come By
Waffle cone sundaes – with toppings served in an oversized waffle bowl – were another popular limited-time offering. But much like the classic cones, the added production complexity makes widespread availability a challenge.
That said, one Texas DQ displays a full waffle bowl sundae lineup on their storefront menu, complete with a hot fudge and brownie option. So specialty locations may still bake them in-house upon request.
Cake Cones Now Rule the Roost
While specialty waffle offerings may remain at select establishments, most DQs now exclusively stock cake cones to accompany their soft serve options.
Cake cones check the boxes of being cheap to produce (around 3 to 6 cents per cone), easy to ship and store, and fast to serve. They crispen up nicely when storing soft serve while providing a familiar crisp, sweet accompaniment.
Waffle Cone Nostalgia Still Runs Deep
Despite waffle cones being gone from most DQs for nearly a decade now, customer sentiment and petitions calling for their return crop up periodically.
And DQ corporate is paying attention. When asked about waffle cones in June 2022, a company rep said "We never say never!" So while a full resurgence is unlikely from a logistical standpoint, it‘s clear this beloved menu item still holds an emotional connection for fans.
Get Your Crunch Fix With Creative Sundae Add-Ins
If you still crave crisp waffle texture contrasting creamy soft serve, focus creativity on sundae toppings. Consider choosing baked treats like brownie bites, cookies, donut pieces, or even cereal mixes to mix in.
The variety of flavors and textures available can craft a one-of-a-kind sensory experience – and maybe even inspire Dairy Queen to experiment with more adventurous limited-time waffle items down the road!
