Idea for Bing Blizzard goes cold, for now
Brenda Wade Schmidt
After a blizzard of requests, Dairy Queen fans aren't getting Twin Bing candy bars mixed into their favorite treats.
At least not yet.
The idea for a Bing Blizzard was floated by the candy bar's maker Palmer Candy Co. in Sioux City, Iowa, and Siouxland Dairy Queen in that area. It went viral on social media, intended as an Alzheimer Association fundraiser set to begin Wednesday in Sioux City; South Sioux City, Neb.; and Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. A dollar from each Bing Blizzard would be donated to the Alzheimer Association.
When the product promotion hit Facebook, it was shared at least 10,000 times at one point, with customers asking if the treat would be coming to their towns any time soon.
But at the corporate level, the Bing Blizzard met with a cold shoulder.
The idea and its recipe hadn't been properly vetted.
Dairy Queen issued this statement: "Each year countless Dairy Queen® operators give back to their communities and to organizations such as Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and others including the Alzheimer's Association. While we applaud those franchisees in the Sioux City area for organizing a fundraiser to benefit a very worthy cause, unfortunately, they did not follow our processes to ensure the product was first approved from a quality assurance and food safety perspective. Our goal is to provide our fans with the safest, best quality food and treat items available, and, consequently, we have strict processes that must be followed before a new product is launched. We are evaluating the possibility of moving forward with this product in the future."
It's that last sentence that should give hope to those interested in tasting the ice cream and candy bar combo: "We are evaluating the possibility of moving forward with this product in the future."
A few people can vouch for the taste: the district manager of the Sioux City DQs, the manager of the Palmer candy store and the president of Palmer Candy, one of the oldest candy companies in the U.S.
"There's only three people who have tried one," said Jon Sadler, the candy store manager. "It was delicious." The three sat down and tweaked the treat until it was just right, a mix of chocolate and cherry in a vanilla soft serve.
Now everybody wants one. Even in Sioux Falls. Even though the product doesn't exist. Yet.
"We've had so many people come though the drive-thru and ask for it already," said Chyanne Siedfried, assistant manager of the South Minnesota Avenue Dairy Queen.
Even though the fundraiser didn't happen as planned, Siouxland Dairy Queen donated $5,000 Wednesday to the Alzheimer's Association, said Ashley Schoenrock, brand and marketing manager for the company.
There's still hope the product will be available for customers some day. "We thought it was going to be a small little local promotion. It escalated beyond what we could imagine," said Schoenrock, who got to taste the treat. "If you like Bing bars, you will absolutely love it."
Dairy Queen International, based in Minneapolis, is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Five of the Dairy Queens in Sioux Falls are owned by Minnesota-based Fourteen Foods.