On Thursday, March 19, Fans Can Enjoy a Free Vanilla Soft-Serve Cone at Participating DQ Locations Nationwide, Plus DQ Brings Back the Chance to Win Free Cones for a Year in the DQ App

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 2, 2026-- Spring is just around the corner, and so is Free Cone Day – one of the happiest days of the year for DQ® fans! On March 19, the day before the start of spring, American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ) is welcoming warmer weather with the return of a fan-favorite tradition that invites everyone to celebrate the simple joy of a classic, delicious vanilla soft-serve cone.

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DQ invites fans to welcome the warmer weather season with the simple joy of a classic and delicious vanilla soft-serve cone on Free Cone Day at participating DQ® restaurants nationwide on March 19 (Photo: Dairy Queen)

DQ is making Free Cone Day sweeter than ever by aiming to give away more free cones and spread more happiness than ever before. Last year DQ locations gave away 5 million free cones, and since the tradition began in 2015, more than 38 million free cones have been enjoyed by fans nationwide. To kick off the spring season, treat lovers everywhere are invited to help make it the biggest Free Cone Day yet by simply stopping by their local DQ restaurant on March 19 to enjoy a delicious free small vanilla soft-serve cone* topped with the iconic curl.

Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that make us the happiest, and free vanilla soft-serve cones prove it. Free Cone Day brings smiles, sparks connection and gives people a reason to pause, celebrate and enjoy a small moment of happiness together. In fact, DQ has the data to back it up: 92% of Americans say a free DQ cone would make them happy**, according to a survey conducted by the brand.

“Free Cone Day is all about celebrating the simple joys – warmer weather, a classic vanilla cone and the happiness that comes from sharing a smile,” said Maria Hokanson, Executive Vice President of Marketing at ADQ. “There’s something truly special about seeing people light up over a free cone, and this year, we’re excited to give away more cones and create more happy moments for our fans than ever before.”

To spread happiness long after Free Cone Day, starting March 5, ADQ is once again giving fans the chance to win Free Cones for an entire year. Fans can enter the sweepstakes by downloading the DQ® App and signing up for DQ Rewards***. To view the complete sweepstakes rules, visit DQ Free Cone Day Sweepstakes on March 5, 2026.

Fans can visit DairyQueen.com or download the DQ® App to find a local DQ restaurant on March 19. Fans can also share their Free Cone Day celebrations on social media by tagging @DairyQueen and using #FreeConeDay.

*Free small vanilla cone at participating US non-mall locations. US Mall locations require a purchase. All day, limit one per person. While supplies last. Not valid on delivery or mobile orders.

**ADQ commissioned a National Survey of 1,000 consumers provided by Innovate and fielded February 18-20, 2019.

*** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Legal residents of the 50 U.S. (D.C.), excluding TX, 18 years or older and who are/become DQ Rewards members. Ends 3/19/26. To enter and for Official Rules, including odds, and prize, visit DQ Free Cone Day Sweepstakes. Void where prohibited.

About International Dairy Queen, Inc.

International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses, and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.

IDQUS for Food, Treats & Beverages – US

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Source: International Dairy Queen