As a retail and consumer expert, I‘ve noticed that nostalgic foods and beverages are having a major moment. From retro candy to classic soda shop treats, people are seeking out the flavors and experiences that bring them back to a simpler time. One timeless treat that‘s seen a resurgence in popularity? The root beer float. And when it comes to fast food chains serving up this creamy, fizzy concoction, Dairy Queen is a top destination.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll be sharing everything you need to know about Dairy Queen‘s signature root beer floats. We‘ll dive into the history of this classic beverage, explore what makes DQ‘s version special, and compare it to other fast food root beer float offerings. Plus, I‘ll be sharing some expert tips and analysis on the retail side of this sweet, frothy treat. Let‘s get started!
The Rise of Root Beer and Root Beer Floats
First, a quick history lesson. Root beer as we know it today was first invented in 1875 by pharmacist Charles Hires. He created a recipe for a non-alcoholic "root tea" made with sassafras root bark and other flavorings, which was later renamed "root beer" and marketed as a healthier alternative to alcoholic beverages.
The invention of the root beer float, however, happened by accident. As the story goes, in 1893, a soda vendor named Frank Wisner was serving up root beer at a celebration in honor of Colorado‘s Cow Mountain. He ran out of ice for his drinks, so he decided to use vanilla ice cream from a neighboring vendor as a substitute. The combination was a hit, and the "black cow" (as it was originally called) was born.
Throughout the early 1900s, root beer floats gained popularity at soda fountains and ice cream parlors across the country. The sweet, creamy treat offered a welcome respite during the Great Depression and became a beloved fixture of American culture. Today, root beer floats remain a nostalgic favorite – and Dairy Queen is one of the most popular places to satisfy that craving.
Dairy Queen‘s Signature Root Beer Float
So what exactly makes a Dairy Queen root beer float special? Let‘s start with the key components.
The Root Beer
Most Dairy Queen locations use Barq‘s root beer for their floats. Barq‘s, which was founded in 1898, has a bold yet balanced flavor with notes of vanilla, licorice, and sarsaparilla. It‘s well-carbonated with a creamy head, making it ideal for blending with ice cream.
However, some DQ locations may use other root beer brands like Mug or A&W, so the specific root beer flavor may vary slightly by restaurant. DQ also offers other soda options for floats, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, and Sprite.
The Ice Cream
While most classic root beer float recipes call for scoops of hard vanilla ice cream, Dairy Queen puts its own signature spin on the treat. DQ‘s root beer floats are made by swirling the company‘s famous vanilla soft serve into the soda.
Using soft serve instead of hard ice cream creates a slightly different consistency, with the ice cream blending more seamlessly into the root beer. The result is a creamier, frothier float with a smoother texture.
Dairy Queen‘s soft serve is made with milkfat, nonfat milk, sugar, corn syrup, whey, mono and diglycerides, artificial flavor, guar gum, polysorbate 80, and carrageenan. A 1/2 cup serving of DQ soft serve contains 140 calories, 4.5g fat, 23g carbohydrates, and 22g sugar.
Nutrition Facts
So what about the nutritional breakdown of a Dairy Queen root beer float? That depends on the size:
| Size | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 300 | 6g | 65g | 59g |
| Medium | 380 | 8g | 82g | 74g |
| Large | 500 | 9g | 109g | 100g |
As you can see, even a small DQ root beer float is fairly high in calories and sugar, so it‘s best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than an everyday beverage. The soda contributes the majority of the sugar content.
DQ Root Beer Floats: A Retail and Consumer Perspective
From a business standpoint, Dairy Queen‘s root beer floats are a smart strategic offering. They tap into consumer nostalgia and offer a unique twist on a classic treat that aligns with DQ‘s brand identity.
Root beer floats have mass appeal across demographics – they‘re a treat that can be enjoyed by children, adults, and seniors alike. The flavor combination is widely liked and the floats are easy to customize with different soda options, making them a versatile menu item.
Floats also offer a relatively low cost of goods for Dairy Queen franchisees. The main ingredients (soda syrup and soft serve mix) can be purchased in bulk at low prices. This allows for a high margin on float sales – a key reason many fast food chains are now offering their own float creations.
According to industry reports, the global root beer market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2021 to 2028. As a major player in the root beer float space, Dairy Queen is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. The company has also been smart to innovate its float offerings with seasonal and limited-time varieties to keep the product line fresh.
A recent survey of 1,000 American consumers found that Dairy Queen was the second most popular fast food chain for root beer floats, behind only A&W Restaurants. Respondents cited DQ‘s creamy soft serve and unique toppings as key factors in their float preferences.
Regional Variations and Limited-Time Offerings
While the classic root beer and vanilla soft serve float is Dairy Queen‘s mainstay, some DQ locations offer regional variations and limited-time flavors to mix things up.
For example, some Midwest DQ locations offer a "Boston Cooler" float made with Vernors ginger ale and soft serve – a regional favorite. Others have experimented with using flavored soft serve in floats, like chocolate or cherry.
Dairy Queen also releases special seasonal float flavors to drive excitement and visits. Previous limited-time offers have included a Candy Cane Holiday Float (with vanilla soft serve, peppermint syrup, and candy cane pieces), a Dreamsicle Float (with orange soda and vanilla soft serve), and a Pumpkin Pie Float for fall.
These unique variations help keep the float category exciting and give customers a reason to visit DQ beyond just the standard root beer option.
Comparing Dairy Queen to Other Fast Food Root Beer Floats
Of course, Dairy Queen isn‘t the only fast food chain slinging root beer floats these days. How does their version compare to the competition? Here‘s a quick overview:
-
A&W Restaurants: Known for their signature frosty mugs and made-in-house root beer, A&W is perhaps the most famous fast food purveyor of root beer floats. A&W‘s floats are made with scoops of hard vanilla ice cream, giving them a classic presentation and texture. Ratings on review sites cite A&W‘s root beer flavor and carbonation level as top notch.
-
Sonic Drive-In: Sonic offers root beer floats made with hard ice cream and your choice of root beer brand (Barq‘s, A&W, Mug, etc.). Sonic‘s "Route 44" extra-large size is a popular choice for sharing. Their hard ice cream is soft and smooth, but some reviews note that the floats can lack the traditional layering effect.
-
Culver‘s: This Midwest-based chain known for its frozen custard and butter burgers also serves up root beer floats. Made with Culver‘s signature creamy vanilla frozen custard and Sprecher root beer, these floats have a rich, ultra-smooth consistency. The frozen custard melts slowly for optimal sipping.
-
In-N-Out Burger: Now available at this popular California-based chain‘s soda fountains, In-N-Out‘s root beer floats are served with chilled Mug Root Beer and scoops of soft serve. Fans rave about the old-fashioned cane sugar in Mug root beer and the hefty portion size of these floats.
So where does Dairy Queen rank? Taste-wise, DQ floats seem to score points for their signature creamy soft serve, which blends seamlessly into the root beer. However, some purists prefer the classic "float" effect of the hard scoop ice cream served by chains like A&W.
Dairy Queen offers a similar range of sizes as other chains, from a 12-oz. small to a 21-oz. large. Price-wise, DQ floats tend to be on par with or slightly cheaper than the competition, typically ranging from $2.50 to $4 depending on size and location.
Ultimately, the top fast food root beer float is largely a matter of personal preference. But with its iconic soft serve, wide selection of soda options, and creative seasonal varieties, Dairy Queen offers a strong contender in the category.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, root beer floats are a beloved treat with enduring appeal – and Dairy Queen is a go-to spot to satisfy that craving. DQ‘s signature root beer floats offer a smooth, creamy twist on the classic thanks to the brand‘s famous soft serve. With a range of sizes, soda options, and seasonal offerings, there‘s a float to satisfy every taste at DQ.
From a business perspective, root beer floats are a smart strategic offering for Dairy Queen. They capitalize on nostalgia, drive visits, and offer strong margins for franchisees. Industry sales projections and market research suggest that the demand for root beer and other retro beverages will only continue to grow – positioning DQ well for the future.
Next time you‘re craving a sweet, frothy taste of the past, head to your nearest Dairy Queen and treat yourself to a root beer float. Just remember to enjoy this indulgent sip in moderation – and don‘t be afraid to customize your float with your favorite DQ toppings or mix-ins. Cheers!
