Dairy Queen, an iconic American fast-food chain, was founded by John Fremont "J.F." McCullough and his son Alex in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois. The McCulloughs, alongside their friend and franchisee Sherb Noble, introduced a soft-serve ice cream product, which became a huge hit, leading to the opening of the first Dairy Queen store. The concept quickly expanded, thanks to the franchise model, growing into an international chain renowned for its ice cream treats, like the Blizzard, and a variety of fast-food items. Over the years, Dairy Queen has become synonymous with soft-serve ice cream and has grown into a beloved brand with thousands of locations worldwide.