May 01, 2025
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Dixon DQ has new owners

Grill & Chill will be open for summer

By PAM EGGEMEIER
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The new management team at the Dixon Dairy Queen is (clockwise from left) District Manager Jane Sofolo, owners David and Judy Dillon, and Jan and Rocky Sofolo, and Oregon store manager Cindy Gideon. (Alex T)

DIXON – The DQ Grill & Chill at 1912 Lowell Park Road will reopen with new owners.

The restaurant has been closed since December. An older version had been demolished at the site in December 2009.

The new owners are locals David and Judy Dillon of Lost Nation, and Rocky and Jan Sofolo of Oregon. The investment group also owns DQ restaurants in Freeport and Oregon.

David Dillon said the transaction had not been finalized, but a sales contract had been signed.

District Manager Jane Sofolo also has ties to the area, having grown up on a farm in Ashton. She has been busy this week putting plans in place and taking job applications.

“We don’t know when we’re opening yet, but we’re hoping by mid-June,” she said.

The process will take a bit longer because the new owners want to get a jump on the next corporate design phase.

“Every 10 years, the Dairy Queens get a new look,” Jane said. “It’s only been 5 years, but it was decided to just do it before the reopening.”

The cosmetic changes will include new light fixtures and awnings, a different seating configuration, and a new color scheme, artwork and menu board. New menu items are also planned.

“The difference will be dramatic,” Rocky Sofolo said. “It’s going to look very nice when we’re done.”

He also grew up in Dixon, so the local DQ holds special memories for the group.

“I remember going here forever, and then bringing my kids to this location,” Rocky said.

Store hours have not been etched in stone, but it’s likely they will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The store will employ a mix of full- and part-timers, totaling 35. Jane said all of the owners will work in the trenches quite a bit, especially in the first year of the reopening. And a heads-up to job applicants: Grouches need not apply.

“We want our customers to see smiling, happy people whenever they visit us,” Jane said.

GRILL & CHILL IN DIXON

Address: 1912 Lowell Park Road, Dixon

Hours: Undetermined

New owners: David and Judy Dillon of Lost Nation, and Rocky and Jan Sofolo of Oregon

District manager: Jane Sofolo

Other DQ holdings: Freeport, Oregon

#Business