The evidence of that was plain to see Tuesday, the first day of business at the new DQ Grill & Chill in Corridor Plaza. A long line of customers eager for blizzards, ice cream cakes and other goodies had formed outside the building well before 11 a.m. The drive-thru lane was filled with vehicles most of the day.

“We’re pumped to be here,” Matt Frauenshuh, the chief executive officer of restaurant owner Fourteen Foods, said Tuesday morning.

“We’re here to support you and be part of the community,” he added.

He said Fourteen Foods is a faith-based, family-owned business that owns 255 Dairy Queens in 14 states.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
A line of customers extends out the door of the DQ Grill & Chill restaurant in Fort Dodge Tuesday morning.

Frauenshuh and Ebony Hill, the restaurant’s general manager, spoke during a Tuesday morning ribbon-cutting event conducted by the Ambassadors of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance.

Hill said she and her team are ready to serve Fort Dodge.

“Come and see us whenever you want,” she said.

The Growth Alliance Ambassadors weren’t the only local people to officially welcome Dairy Queen to Fort Dodge. St. Edmond Catholic School Student Body President Faith Shirbroun and Vice President Jonah Carlson both spoke briefly during the ribbon cutting.

“It’s really awesome to see all these restaurants coming back into Fort Dodge,” Carlson said. “We wish you a lot of success.”

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
Some members of the Fort Dodge Senior High School Marching Band perform Tuesday morning before the ribbon cutting for the DQ Grill & Chill restaurant.

Some members of the Fort Dodge Senior High School Marching Band played before the ribbon cutting.

After the event, Frauenshuh said Fourteen Foods was attracted to Fort Dodge because it is a thriving community with good schools, good people, and a business friendly atmosphere.

He said in addition to its traditional fare, the restaurant now has its fall blizzard menu featuring flavors like pumpkin pie.

The DQ Grill & Chill at First Avenue South and 27th Street is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. It has 40 employees.