5 minute read
DAIRY QUEEN / ORANGE JULIUS
The Home of Tempting Treats
Summer is on the way and with it comes ice cream season! Simon and Jessica Tran’s Dunbar Dairy Queen/Orange Julius franchise is a yearround destination; however, summer is the busiest season for frozen treats and beverages.
Restaurants experienced many challenges during the pandemic with several government-mandated closures. Simon and Jessica are grateful for their customers who continued to come in for DQ’s treats (Blizzards, soft ice cream, sundaes and legendary ice cream cakes) and Orange Julius’ drinks and hot dogs.
Before becoming a DQ franchise owner, Simon worked as a crane operator. When the time came for a career change, a friend (also a DQ franchise owner) suggested Simon explore this option. Simon believed in the product and signed up.
In 2008 the Dunbar DQ store was new to the area; DQ’s corporate office decided to put in a smallscale treat centre rather than a full-service DQ grill.
Dunbar’s DQ has succeeded thanks to exceptional products and outstanding customer service.
Simon and Jessica work as a team – he makes the cakes, and she decorates them. Customers can order from the extensive designs offered, or they can request a custom cake.
Ice cream cakes are made three times a week for optimum freshness. The store began with a three-door display case, and due to the popularity of the cakes, they added a two-door cake display. “My goal is to have the freshest cakes in town. I make them as I go. I don’t have the space to store them.”
Simon also makes the DQ Sandwiches, Dilly Bars and Buster Bars. Dunbar DQ’s top seller is the Dunbar Special Blizzard. Simon laughs and says, “It is also known as the Simon Special.”
This popular Blizzard is created with Reese’s peanut butter cups, a cookie layer, and a shot of liquid peanut butter sauce.
“In March 2020, I shut the store for about one month. Many of my customers phoned to ask if we would come back soon. Locals would leave messages saying they would support our business no matter what. Because of their heartfelt messages and phone calls, my wife and I decided to reopen the store for a few hours a day and only served novelty boxes and cakes.”
Gradually the couple extended their business hours and returned to offering the full menu. Simon’s primary goal was to ensure the safety of his customers and staff. They added a small take-out window and a counter inside the front door to place orders. They also joined DoorDash and UberEats for those customers seeking home deliveries.
“Introducing these delivery services helped when people were locked down or quarantined because of COVID-19,” says Simon.
He and Jessica are originally from Vietnam; they fled their homeland as boat people. Jessica started her new life in Edmonton while Simon lived in Halifax. They met in Vancouver in 1989 and married soon after.
Simon bounced between foster homes and group homes until he was adopted at age 12; he credits his positive attitude for not allowing him to give up. He says, “My early years were tough, but they made me wiser and stronger. I didn’t have anything until my parents took me in and gave me unconditional love.”
Last spring Simon received news that his adopted father, who lives in Nova Scotia, had been diagnosed with dementia. Simon felt conflicted about travelling during the pandemic.
He says, “At the time, I had only received my first COVID-19 vaccination, and there were numerous restrictions in place not only in B.C. but also in Nova Scotia. After many sleepless nights debating what to do, my wonderful wife and staff decided to send me to Nova Scotia. They booked flights, ensured I had the correct paperwork and reassured me the store would be well taken care of while I was away. I waited until my second vaccination in mid-July and left two weeks later. My adopted parents were touched when they heard what my wonderful wife and staff did for me. I am blessed to have them in my life. I wouldn’t have been able to get there without their help.”
Like many small business owners, Simon works incredibly long hours. For many years he clocked 16-hour days, and it caught up with him. He was missing time with his family, and he decided he couldn’t do that anymore; he managed to shorten his workdays to invest in spending extra time with them.
Dunbar DQ believes in giving back to the community that actively supports them; one way they do this is through donations to schools. Simon mentions his appreciation of all the school kids who come by for treats. He says, “May is my favourite month when students I have seen grow up come in to tell me where they are going to university in the fall. Some will return later to tell me how they are doing.”
Simon says, “I would like to thank everyone in Dunbar and other communities and neighbourhood schools for their support. We thank all the wonderful individuals and families for fifteen amazing years.”
Dairy Queen / Orange Julius
3380 Dunbar Street Vancouver, BC V6S 2C1
Phone 604-733-2884
www.dairyqueen.com
