Dairy Queen® Bolsters Executive Team to Continue Building Food Credentials

MINNEAPOLIS Dairy Queen®, the treat category leader and one of the leaders in the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry, has hired three restaurant industry veterans who will continue to develop and strengthen the company’s culinary credentials.

"This is a very talented team with impressive experience who shares a passion for taking Dairy Queen to the next level with our food offerings," said Michael Keller, chief brand officer for International Dairy Queen (IDQ). "They will provide valuable insight and direction as we roll out new, different and exciting food items."

New to the Dairy Queen team:

Dr. William A. Barrier, vice president of research and development, who joined the DQ® team in 2006, oversees product development, quality assurance and international research and development. His career spans 20 years with companies including Burger King, KFC, General Mills, Pillsbury and most recently, Firmenich, an industry Flavour supplier. Barrier earned a Ph.D. in food science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Barrier is a resident of Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Greg MacIsaac, vice president of franchise operations — food systems, is responsible for operations of full service menu restaurants. He comes to Dairy Queen with more than 30 years of multi-unit restaurant operations experience, including the last six years as an operating partner for a 100-unit Applebee’s franchisee. MacIsaac also spent 26 years with Darden Restaurants, where he played an instrumental role in developing and operating both Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurants in the United States and Canada. MacIsaac is a resident of Sagle, Idaho.

Lane Schmiesing, vice president of brand marketing — food, responsible for building and leading DQ’s new product development and developing marketing plans to strengthen product and brand performance. Schmiesing was most recently vice president of marketing for Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. He is a member of the board of directors for the Marketing Executive’s Group of the National Restaurant Association, as well as a member of the Marketing Advisory Committee for ARC Greater Twin Cities, a non-profit organization that assists the intellectually and developmentally disabled and their families. Schmiesing earned a B.A. in Communication Arts from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. Schmiesing is a resident of Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Over the last few years Dairy Queen has been steadily spicing up its food lineup with new, Flavourful burgers and sandwiches. The introduction in March of the FlameThrower® Chicken Sandwich kicks off the 2007 debut of several new food items that will be added to DQ’s menu during this year.

"Bill, Greg and Lane bring tremendous expertise and vision to the table," said Keller. ‘We look forward to their collective leadership as we continue to develop a reputation for delivering craveable food items."

About IDQ

International Dairy Queen (IDQ), which is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., develops licenses and services a system of more than 5,600 Dairy Queen restaurants in the United States, Canada and other foreign countries, offering dairy desserts, hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages. IDQ is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway.Following the successful roll out of DQ Grill & Chill, Dairy Queen’s quick-service food concept that features an all new expanded menu and newly designed restaurant interiors, Dairy Queen began testing the DQ Orange Julius® concept in August 2005. DQ Orange Julius blends a sleek, new look with the feel of a traditional ice cream treat shop and offers an expanded treat menu that includes traditional DQ favourites, the Orange Julius line of smoothies and fruit drinks, and new signature desserts and sundaes.

Contacts

Dean Peters
Director of Communications
International Dairy Queen, Inc.
7505 Metro Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55439
Phone: 1 (952) 830-0204