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Dairy Queen owner says keeping gateway storefront up costs thousands; board approves $10,000 rehab grant
Summary
A Dairy Queen franchisee told the URA she invested heavily to maintain a visible gateway storefront and applied for URA rehab funds; the board approved roughly $10,000 in rehabilitation funding after discussion about program intent and franchise obligations.
The owner of a Dairy Queen franchise told the Toledo Urban Renewal Agency board she has spent years and thousands of dollars maintaining and repairing her building to keep Toledo’s gateway welcoming, and the board voted to approve roughly $10,000 in rehabilitation funding.
The applicant described long-term local ownership and maintenance costs: "I probably have, if I was down at my receipt, $25,000 in landscaping fees to keep it clean from the highway," she said, adding she often works five to seven days a week to keep the business operating. She also described discovering dry rot that will require siding replacement and repainting.
Board members asked whether requested items would fall under franchise contractual obligations. One director asked, "Are any of the items that you're seeking funding for part of your contractual obligation as a franchisee of Dairy Queen?" The applicant replied she handles most upkeep herself and that corporate does not provide funding.
After discussion about the URA program's purpose — removing blight and funding fixed assets — a director moved to approve the Dairy Queen Urban Renewal District Rehabilitation Funding application for approximately $10,000; the motion was seconded and passed by the directors present.
Board members also used the conversation to highlight the program’s broader criteria and the need to ensure funds are focused on permanent, blight-removing assets rather than routine franchise maintenance.
