ILLINOIS — On this day in 1940, a small ice cream shop opened its doors in Joliet and unknowingly gave birth to one of the world’s most beloved frozen treat brands: Dairy Queen.
Located at 501 N. Chicago Street, the very first Dairy Queen was the result of a simple but revolutionary idea — serving soft-serve ice cream in a fast, affordable way.
The shop was founded by Sherwood “Sherb” Noble, who had begun selling soft-serve two years earlier at his Kankakee ice cream store. The recipe was created by his friend, J.F. McCullough, and quickly gained popularity for its creamy texture and quick-service model.
Noble reportedly believed that “the cow was the queen of the dairy industry,” which inspired the now-iconic name: Dairy Queen.
A Sweet Legacy That Started in Illinois
By 1950, just a decade after its founding, there were already six Dairy Queen locations across the Chicago area. That small beginning in Joliet marked the launch of a brand that now spans over 20 countries and thousands of locations worldwide.
In 1997, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway acquired the Dairy Queen brand, cementing its place among American fast-food royalty.
What started as a community-based store in Will County has since become an emblem of summertime nostalgia — not just in Illinois, but around the world.
Joliet’s Place in U.S. Food History
The story of Dairy Queen isn’t just a tale of frozen dessert — it’s a testament to Illinois’ role in American innovation.
From the first skyscraper to deep-dish pizza to the birthplace of Dairy Queen, Illinois continues to shape food culture, retail, and community businesses across the country.
“It’s easy to forget that major global brands often begin with a few inspired people in local towns like Joliet,” said local historian Kori Rumore in a Chicago Tribune piece.
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Why It Still Matters Today
The success of Dairy Queen reflects a larger story — one of Midwestern resilience, family business values, and small-town entrepreneurship.
Whether you’re grabbing a Blizzard after a Little League game or stopping by for a sundae on a summer evening, you’re taking part in a legacy that started right here in Illinois.
Do you have memories of visiting your local Dairy Queen in Joliet or elsewhere in Illinois? Share your story with the ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com community and help celebrate the hometown history that shaped the nation’s dessert scene.
