Seth and Carrie Ann McDonald of Two Harbors are selling their two Dairy Queen stores, one in Two Harbors and the other in Grand Marais. They purchased the seasonal Two Harbors location in 2008 and the Grand Marais business in 2012. Seth is a DQ man through and through.
Seth’s journey with Dairy Queen is a personal one. His family moved to Two Harbors in 1989, and he started his first job at the Two Harbors walk-up Dairy Queen in 1993 when he was 16. In the coming seasons, he rose to the position of Shift Lead, Manager, and ultimately Owner when he bought the business in 2008. Dairy Queen has been his career. Now he’s ready to pass on his successful businesses to take on new challenges.
“Dairy Queen was my first job,” he said, “and there was no reason to move on.” Like all business owners, it took some time for the McDonalds to reach the decision to sell. A couple of years ago, they received an unsolicited offer to buy the Grand Marais location. That offer failed to complete, but the seed was planted that one day they might try again. The decision to sell is not a reflection of the business’s performance, but a personal choice to pursue new opportunities.
“I have a beautiful wife and two awesome kids (Jackson and Toby) who still wanna hang out with me,” Seth said. He’s looking forward to spending more time with the family.
In a Facebook post advertising the Grand Marais store, Seth wrote, “The restaurant has been fully remodeled and is open year-round, offering modern, efficient operations and a welcoming atmosphere. This is a turn-key business with strong brand recognition, proven profitability, and all systems in place for a smooth transition to new ownership.”
To assist with the sale, Seth has retained the services of a business broker, Brad Friedlander, who has experience selling franchise businesses, such as Dairy Queens. Brad’s role is to ensure a smooth and fair transaction for both parties. He will ensure all legal requirements are met and provide guidance on the franchisor’s operating requirements. For instance, the franchisor has requirements for financial net worth and liquidity. Additionally, the parties must understand and agree to the franchisor’s operating requirements. Friedlander can be reached by phone at 954-562-4221.
“I focus on the fact that the Dairy Queen is not just a business,” Seth said. “It’s part of the community.” He added, “Everybody has a Dairy Queen story. No one has a Burger King story.” This emphasis on community involvement is a testament to the unique bond that Dairy Queen shares with its patrons.
On the wall in his Two Harbors office, Seth has several dozen pictures of Two Harbors’ young people who have worked there over the years. He acknowledges his J-1 foreign workers for bringing their culture to the North Shore. “We all learn from each other,” he said.
Seth is an accomplished private pilot and sometimes makes his commute between Two Harbors and Grand Marais in the air.
Summing up what he likes most about his Dairy Queen career, Seth said, “When you hand a kid a cherry dip cone and you see their smiling face light up. It floats your boat to do that.”
