International Dairy Queen (IDQ) and CFB Group have unveiled plans to open 180 food-centric DQ restaurants in China by 2034.

The companies intend to do this through their respective wholly owned subsidiaries, American Dairy Queen Corporation and Shanghai Shida Catering Management.

CFB Group licenses or owns five restaurant brands in China, of which DQ restaurants hold the largest portion of the business.

In March 2022, CFB Group announced that it will open 600 treat-centric DQ restaurants by the end of this decade, 180 of which will now be food-centric DQ restaurants.

The group currently operates more than 1,000 DQ restaurants in Mainland China.

CFB aims to further expand its footprint commitment to open the first food-centric DQ restaurants in the country.

CFB Group CEO Alan Hsu said: “For more than 20 years, CFB Group and International Dairy Queen successfully have developed and launched unique treat products for the Chinese market, making the DQ brand one of the best performing quick service restaurant brands in China.

“CFB Group and International Dairy Queen now will focus on innovation and product development to deliver hot food menu items that Chinese consumers crave.

“Our goal is to position DQ restaurants as a balanced hot food and treat leader in China and grow our fanbase to include customers seeking both meals and treats.”

With this move, the group will become the first company to franchise DQ restaurants in China with balanced hot food and treat menus.

IDQ chief operating officer Nicolas Boudet said: “Opening food-centric restaurants that offer balanced hot food and treat menus is critical to our international growth strategy.

“CFB Group will be the first franchise group to open food-centric DQ restaurants in China and the only one to own food-centric restaurants in Asia, widening its footprint in our fastest-growing market worldwide.”