Not Cracker Barrel: The Chain Most Popular Among Boomers In 2026 Is An Old-School Classic

Every generation has its preferences. When it comes to food, the boomer generation loves to eat out, and they bring a ton of purchasing power with them (though they are less likely to tip as well as other generations). In the casual dining world, boomers absolutely love Olive Garden — shockingly, even more so than a classic, nostalgic eatery like Cracker Barrel.

But, according to a report by YouGov, in terms of popularity, Dairy Queen is actually tops for this generation. YouGov defines popularity as "the percentage of people who have a positive opinion of a dining brand." So, while Olive Garden might be the boomer generation's sit-down dining choice, they think very highly of Dairy Queen too. In fact, 83% of boomers have a positive opinion of DQ — which slightly edges out Baskin-Robbins by just 3%. Looking at the most popular top 10 establishments, it's apparent that boomers do love their sweet treats. Besides Dairy Queen and Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin' and Krispy Kreme also finished in the top 10 — with Cinnabon just outside in the 11th spot.

If you think about it, the Dairy Queen love does make sense. The chain opened its first location in 1940 — just prior to when the boomer generation started being born — and soon after began serving classic diner and old-school ice cream parlor favorites like shakes, malts, and banana splits. That's the kind of restaurant vibe that boomers grew up with, and it probably explains why spots like Dairy Queen remain so popular with them today. Some DQ owners seem to be aware of the boomer love, too, as some locations even have senior discounts. But that's not what boomers themselves say pulls them to Dairy Queen.

It's not just third-party research that tells us Dairy Queen is beloved by boomers. Boomers themselves will tell you about their fondness for this classic ice cream shop. "When I was a kid it was a summertime treat," one Facebook commenter says. "Maybe it's nostalgia, but I still consider DQ the best ice cream I have ever tasted." A Redditor explains some of the nostalgia, saying, "Used to be the only thing around that wasn't terrible, especially in small towns. The random group of old guys chatting over coffee was especially a thing, and yes, they had free or cheap refills too. Plus, always a good spot to take your grandkids (and of course their actual kids)."

Interestingly enough, as popular as DQ is with boomers, it also fares pretty well with other generations. Sixty-eight percent of Gen X has a positive view of DQ — which ranks fourth overall for that cohort — and 64% of millennials view the brand positively for eleventh on their list. For a chain that seems to be sometimes forgotten about, Dairy Queen still has quite a bit of influence. With more than 7,800 restaurants in 20-plus countries, DQ was also in the top 20 of highest grossing restaurant brands in the U.S. in 2025, according to Technomic (via Restaurant Business).

So while you might think a chain like Cracker Barrel, or maybe a nostalgic buffet like Golden Corral, would be most popular among boomers, that's just not the case. This generation can't get enough of their ice cream — and few things in the chain restaurant world are more classic and a throwback to years gone by like Dairy Queen. That's why boomers love it.