Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Dairy Queen employees Sue (left) and Rajan welcomed the first customers at the opening of the new Dairy Queen, 52964 Yale Road East in Popkum, Friday morning, June 7.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

DQ in Popkum set to open this week

Dairy Queen hires 40+ employees as it opens in Popkum this week

Jun 6, 2024 | 1:46 PM

CHILLIWACK — Over 40 people have been hired for the new Dairy Queen in Popkum as the quick serve restaurant prepares for its opening on Friday, June 7 at 52964 Yale Road East.

According to the DQ franchisee who asked not to be publicly named, partly due to rules around speaking on behalf of corporate restaurants, Dairy Queen has hired exactly 43 people with the help of WorkBC, many of whom are high school students.

The restaurant has hired multiple people from the surrounding communities of Popkum, Rosedale, Agassiz and Chilliwack, the franchisee said, and they plan to hire even more people.

The company has done seven days of training prior to its planned opening date.

The hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. The franchisee said he expects to be a high-volume store due to DQ being the only place to get ice cream desserts in Rosedale and Agassiz.

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The family-run business had been looking at opening a Dairy Queen at this location for four years, but COVID-19 related delays got in the way, the franchisee said. Construction-related delays also prevented it from opening sooner.

In March 2024, a Dairy Queen International spokesperson advised Fraser Valley Today in an email that DQ would open in April or May.

A job fair was held in March through WorkBC, and it appears to have generated significant interest in the fast food restaurant due to the 40-plus employees DQ hired.

In the same Rosedale Village shopping centre, Starbucks has already opened, and additional businesses will be occupying the commercial plaza at some point.