'We want that buzz': This popular fast food business is preparing to open in East Peoria

Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star
·4 min read
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Blizzards are on their way to East Peoria.

Not the snowy weather system kind of blizzard, to be clear. Instead, East Peoria residents will soon find the cold, classic Dairy Queen treat closer to home during hot summer days.

The area's newest Dairy Queen is set to welcome the community on Tuesday, April 2. Once open, it will be the only location operating in East Peoria.

Operations manager Roger Cox and Brooke McClaskey, director of marketing and cakes, said many in the community have expressed excitement about the new location. McClaskey said guests are already stopping by to see if the restaurant is open.

“We're just hoping that the excitement around Dairy Queen is…” Cox said, with McClaskey jumping in. “palpable. We want that buzz.”

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Visiting the East Peoria Dairy Queen

The area's newest Dairy Queen, which is located at 930 E. Washington St., East Peoria, plans to open on April 2.
The area's newest Dairy Queen, which is located at 930 E. Washington St., East Peoria, plans to open on April 2.

Where is Dairy Queen located? The restaurant is at 930 E. Washington St., East Peoria.

Other Dairy Queen storefronts are situated in Peoria, Bartonville, Creve Coeur, Pekin, Morton, Washington, Chillicothe and Metamora. Customers can visit https://www.dairyqueen.com/en-us/locations/ to find nearby locations.

Hours: The dining room will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The drive-thru will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Capacity: Cox said customers will find a total of 34 seats inside the restaurant. The business's outdoor patio raises that number to 74, according to director of operations Cindy McClaskey.

Delivery: Eventually, Brooke McClaskey said the restaurant will begin to offer delivery through Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats.

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'You should always be growing'

A crew member from Honegger Sign Co. looks up at the just-installed Dairy Queen logo at 930 E. Washington St., East Peoria on March 27. The new restaurant plans to open on Tuesday, April 2.
A crew member from Honegger Sign Co. looks up at the just-installed Dairy Queen logo at 930 E. Washington St., East Peoria on March 27. The new restaurant plans to open on Tuesday, April 2.

The new storefront is the sixth Dairy Queen location currently owned by Mike and Linda Kepple of Peoria Ice Cream Company, Inc. The Kepples will celebrate the company’s 30-year anniversary on April 27, 2024.

Even after three decades, the business is continuing to expand.

"Mike feels like you should always be growing in anything that you do. And he wanted to grow out into the community…" Cindy McClaskey said. "He just kind of wanted to branch out a little bit. And we actually met with the folks at East Peoria, and they showed us several properties, and this is the one we chose."

Both Cindy McClaskey and Cox described working with East Peoria as a great experience. Cox described the city as “very business friendly.”

The local high schools have been supportive, as well, according to Brooke McClaskey. She said the schools in East Peoria and Metamora allowed the business to bring job applications for students.

"We got really great employees from it. We're very thankful for them," Brooke said. Across the booth, Cindy chimed in. "Oh, we are. They're doing so well. They really are."

For Cox, it is exciting to join a community with a close-knit, “hometown” atmosphere.

He expects to serve those visiting the EastSide Centre – which is less than three miles away – during the summer months. As school sports pick up, Cox said he hopes to get custom East Peoria shirts for employees to wear.

“We can't really do that in Peoria because we represent too many schools in that one area,” he said. “So, I think that part of it is kind of more exciting to us than anything – is to really be part of a smaller community and get to interact with them in that way.”

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What's on the menu at Dairy Queen?

Customers will be able to find Blizzard cakes and other treats at the new Dairy Queen in East Peoria, which is located at 930 E. Washington St.
Customers will be able to find Blizzard cakes and other treats at the new Dairy Queen in East Peoria, which is located at 930 E. Washington St.

The Dairy Queen menu features a variety of meals and treats, including:

  • DQ Blizzards

  • Sundaes

  • Sauced & Tossed chicken strips

  • Signature Stackburgers like the Backyard Bacon Ranch

“I think everybody’ll find something on the menu that they're excited for,” Cox said. “I really do.”

Brooke McClaskey said the location will also feature the “TikTok viral cupcakes.” She said customers will not find the item listed on the menu, however, as it is part of the restaurant’s secret menu.

“It's basically a miniature version of our ice cream cakes,” Cox said.

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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: 'We want that buzz': Popular fast food business to open in East Peoria