As food enthusiasts, we’re always intrigued by the fast food preferences of different generations. For example, Gen Z and millennials are more likely to visit the drive-thru than other demographic groups. But we really like to address overall food preferences, like what people like to eat – and our older generation, the baby boomers, have a fast food chain that they hold in higher esteem than others. Surprisingly, this is not the easily accessible McDonald’s, but rather the Dairy Queen.
According to a recent YouGov survey of respondents’ positive opinions of restaurant brands, the baby boomer cohort particularly loves the place that serves soft, chewy food with that signature curl on the top. (It comes in second after Baskin-Robbins, but we’re comparing places that also serve hot food, which Dairy Queen does at most locations.) McDonald’s, however, comes in at a shocking 43rd place in terms of positive opinions. Clearly, Dairy Queen, founded in Joliet, Illinois, in 1940, holds a special place in the hearts of baby boomers — which isn’t all that surprising, considering that a nostalgic combo of burger and Blizzard is about as classic as it gets.
Reddit users have also observed that Dairy Queen is a favorite among seniors.
In a Reddit thread titled “Why are 90% of customers older,” one Reddit user wrote, “I’ve noticed that the majority of (Dairy Queen) customers are never under 50.” Commenters have made some pretty interesting observations about this. One person wrote from their own experience, stating: “I’m almost 50 and grew up with DQ. The younger generation now has more options. » Granted, 50 isn’t really the age of baby boomers (it’s a bit younger than the definition), but it describes a notable feeling.
Another commenter agreed, saying, “This. My baby boomer dad raised me going to Dairy Queen, so it’s a nostalgic thing for me, and I love Blizzards. But better places have opened since then. Plus, Dairy Queen is cheaper than some of the fancier places.” One Reddit user suggested that a mix of things could explain boomers’ preference for Dairy Queen: “It used to be the only thing that wasn’t great, especially in small towns.” The random group of old guys chatting over coffee was especially big, and yes, they had free or cheap refills too. This Reddit user also noted, “They stick to the same menu, which is familiar.”
Maybe it’s because we’re a younger generation, but sometimes Dairy Queen just doesn’t hit the mark for us. We’ve already found its soft serve to be somewhat lacking, and the beef on DQ’s burgers is mushy and off-putting. But for the baby boomer generation, Dairy Queen remains the chain they care about most, and if they’re happy with it, so be it.
Gn bussni
