1851

55. That&rsquo;s the combined number of years that husband and wife duo Aimee and Terry Sims have spent in the restaurant industry. After serving as multi-unit area supervisors with iconic franchise brands like Taco Bell and Arby&rsquo;s, the two decided to pursue ownership of their own restaurant.

There was a closed <a href="https://www.dairyqueen.com/us-en/Company/Franchise-With-Us/?localechange=1&amp%3B=&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-we-chose-the-dq-brand-aimee-and-terry-sims-2704384" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dairy Queen</a> location near their home in Alabaster, Ala. in a high traffic area near the local movie theater and Walmart, so the couple capitalized on the opportunity to open a new restaurant on the property.

But instead of buying into one of the brands where they had spent most of their careers, they searched for the best business opportunity they could find. After talking with the <a href="https://dairyqueen.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-we-chose-the-dq-brand-aimee-and-terry-sims-2704384" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dairy Queen</a> corporate team about the brand&rsquo;s business opportunity, they quit their jobs, cashed in their retirement and opened their first DQ Grill &amp; Chill&reg; restaurant.

&ldquo;Investing in something with staying power was very important to us,&rdquo; said Aimee Sims. &ldquo;The DQ system has been around for more than 75 years and appeals to people of all ages. They really live by the &lsquo;smile and a story&rsquo; mentality. People remember their experiences with the DQ brand.&rdquo;

The Sims were also attracted to the DQ Grill &amp; Chill concept because it provided multiple revenue streams between the brand&rsquo;s iconic treats, the quick-service restaurant menu and the DQ cakes business.

As parents of six children, it was important to the Sims to find a brand that would not only be profitable to support their family, but would also be a concept that would provide a legacy to leave future generations. With more than 75 years of brand equity, the Dairy Queen brand provided the lucrative opportunity and strong history they were looking for.

&ldquo;From working with everyone at the DQ corporate office, it is clear that the brand has a well-defined identity and is constantly looking forward without losing sight of what the core of the brand is,&rdquo; Sims said.

Since opening their first two locations, the Sims have followed the trend that many DQ franchisees embody: giving back to the communities they serve. Among their charitable initiatives was donating 30 percent of profits for a week to help an area school reach its goal of collecting $95,000 for new band uniforms. The Sims&rsquo; DQ location also raised more than $2,000 in just three hours for a local premature baby&rsquo;s family while the baby was hospitalized and the Sims also continue to work diligently to support the brand&rsquo;s national partnership with the Children&rsquo;s Miracle Network hospitals.

Due to the rapid success that the Sims saw with their locations in Alabaster and Homewood, Ala., they&rsquo;re launching plans to build their portfolio with seven to eight additional DQ Grill &amp; Chill locations across the Northwest Arkansas market.

&ldquo;While it was scary in the beginning to take every penny we had and invest it into a business, we have always believed in our experience and community,&rdquo; said Sims. &ldquo;We look forward to continue building the DQ brand&rsquo;s positive vision in a new market area that hasn&rsquo;t yet experienced its delicious offerings and community focus.&rdquo;

Why we chose the DQ brand aimee and Terry Sims

Why We Chose the DQ® Brand: Aimee and Terry Sims

1851 Franchise

How two restaurant industry veterans decided to build a franchise empire with the DQ brand.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

why-we-chose-the-dq-brand-aimee-and-terry-sims

Senior Care Authority

How This Senior Care Authority Franchisee Turned Love for His Grandparents Into a Lifelong Calling

how-this-senior-care-authority-franchisee-turned-love-for-his-grandparents-into-a-lifelong-calling

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Hometown News: Like Father, Like Son — Family-Run Inspection Business Blends Generations of Expertise and a Keen Eye for Detail

father-son-home-inspection-franchise-florida

KLA Schools

KLA Schools of Beachwalk Hosts Admissions Kick-Off Celebration

kla-schools-of-beachwalk-hosts-admissions-kick-off-celebration

Good Day Columbus: Home Insurance Expert Reveals Why Central Ohio Premiums Are Rising and How to Combat Costs

rising-home-insurance-costs-ohio

CapitalSpring

Primetime Fitness Expands Crunch Portfolio With CapitalSpring’s Backing

primetime-fitness-expands-crunch-portfolio-with-capitalsprings-backing

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Mike Revak - Chief Business Officer - Sky Zone - Franchise Marketing Leaders - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Mike Revak — President and Chief Business Officer, Sky Zone

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-mike-revak-chief-business-officer-sky-zone

Top 25 Franchise Marketing Leaders: Cathy Chavenet — Chief Marketing Officer, Paris Baguette

top-25-franchise-marketing-leaders-cathy-chavenet-chief-marketing-officer-paris-baguette

What It Really Feels Like To Franchise Your Business

what-it-really-feels-like-to-franchise-your-business

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Why We Chose the DQ® Brand: Aimee and Terry Sims

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS