---
title: "Tampa Bay Times: Air Force Veteran to Open DQ Grill & Chill® in Lutz"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/9c1d2f63-733a-402f-a016-6179d85820d7
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/tampa-bay-times-air-force-veteran-to-open-dq-grill-chill-in-lutz-11390
category: "Casual dining"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Casual dining"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2017-03-27T22:17:06.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T04:13:16.253Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/0a9bc7cb34640644e8b92db45d9fa75e1361.jpg
---

# Tampa Bay Times: Air Force Veteran to Open DQ Grill & Chill® in Lutz

**TL;DR:** Air Force veteran Carlos Saenz is opening his first DQ Grill & Chill location in Lutz, Florida. Saenz plans to partner with local schools for fundraising events through the restaurant.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2017-03-27. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/tampa-bay-times-air-force-veteran-to-open-dq-grill-chill-in-lutz-11390).*

## Story

Air force veteran Carlos Saenz will open his first *DQ Grill & Chill*® location in Lutz at the end of March after an exciting journey since he first inquired about franchising opportunities in August 2012.

"It's a unique brand," Saenz said. "There's nothing like it. People remember their first time at *Dairy Queen®*."

Saenz and his family have lived in the area for fifteen years, and his wife is a first-grade teacher in Pasco County. He plans to partner with local schools through the *DQ*® restaurant for "spirit night" fundraising events, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the schools.

"This is going to be the fans' *DQ*," said Saenz.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- community involvement (topic)
- franchise opening (topic)
- Dairy Queen (company)
- veteran-owned business (topic)
- Lutz (location)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/tampa-bay-times-air-force-veteran-to-open-dq-grill-chill-in-lutz-11390). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/9c1d2f63-733a-402f-a016-6179d85820d7).