“We feel Freeport is a fast-growing community and we are excited to be able to offer the DQ brand food and treats to the community.”

DEBORAH WHEELER @WaltonSunDeb

FREEPORT — When Freeport’s new DQ Grill & Chill opens in mid-February, it will have the distinction of being the first DQ in the state to offer breakfast.

The breakfast offerings will consist of biscuits, breakfast burritos and platters from 5:30 to 10 a.m. daily.

The owner of the franchise is Shannon Maddox, who has opened two other Dairy Queens in Florida — one in Marianna and one in Tallahassee.

Located in front of Freeport’s new Publix on U.S. Highway 331S, the eatery will be open until 10 p.m. weekdays and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. There will be a drive-thru window for easy pickup.

“It will be a wonderful Dairy Queen,” Maddox said. “We will have ice cream cakes that we can customize and decorate in various sizes.”

There will be a decorator onsite.

Maddox and his family will be part of the community as they recently moved here. His two sons attend South Walton High School where they are on the wrestling team.

“When I open a new one, I like to be close by,” he said.

In his decision to open a Dairy Queen in the area, Maddox saw the need for a quick-service restaurant with the rapid population growth in Walton County.

“We feel Freeport is a fast-growing community and we are excited to be able to offer the DQ brand food and treats to the community,” he said. “We feel our location at the Shoppes at Freeport in front of Publix is a convenient location for the people of Freeport and for the traffic on U.S. Highway 331 and State Road 20.”

Approximately 60 people will be hired before opening. The eatery is currently scheduled to open Feb. 12.

“We have our fingers crossed,” he said.