Posted: 1/24/06
Dairy Queen sold to Albert Lea firm
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
The Caledonia Dairy Queen has been sold by Nancy Braaten to Kraus Foods of Albert Lea.
Braaten told The Argus that the sale will be complete on February 1. The general public will notice little change in the operation of the business, and as a district operations supervisor for Kraus, she will still be involved in the Caledonia location. Chris Barber, who has been employed at Dairy Queen for seven years, has accepted the job of general manager of the Caledonia location.
ìItís a good transition,î said Braaten, who with her husband Ole also owns a Dairy Queen in Viroqua, Wis. ìKraus will run it very well. Their standards are as high as mine, and I know Chris will do a good job.î
In her new position, Braaten will assist management teams in six Dairy Queen locations. The company owns a total of 37 Dairy Queens and four convenience stores.
Braaten said that she appreciates the support of her customers and the loyalty of her employees for the past 10 years, and she is happy that she will still be involved in the operation.
Kevin Weitzel, Chief Operating Officer for Kraus Foods, commented that ìWeíre very excited to enter the Caledonia area with a store as well-run as Nancy has run the Dairy Queen.î He said he anticipates no major changes.
ìWeíll have the same great food and speedy service as Nancy and her crew has provided over the years.î
The personnel will remain the same, he noted.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com