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Dairy Queen is classified under MCC 5812 (Eating places and Restaurants). The best card for Dairy Queen purchases is the Ink Business Cash (no annual fee), earning 5x on eating places and restaurants — an effective return of 10.25%.
The MCC 5812 covers dining and restaurants, which is crucial for maximizing rewards if you're a heavy eater-out or prefer to dine in places like Dairy Queen.
Pro Tip
To get the most out of your dining rewards, always use your top earning credit card when ordering in or visiting places like Dairy Queen.
When you pay at Dairy Queen at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5812 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a eating places and restaurants merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "eating places and restaurants" purchases, Dairy Queen transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Dairy Queen specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Dairy Queen transaction by checking your card's mobile app or statement. Some issuers display the merchant category alongside the transaction details. For the most accurate information, contact your card issuer's customer service and ask whether MCC 5812 qualifies for bonus rewards.
Merchant Category Code 5812 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Eating places and Restaurants industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5812, all qualifying card programs that include eating places and restaurants as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Dining industry group encompasses several related MCCs. Not all merchants in a similar business will share the same MCC — for example, a grocery store inside a warehouse club may code as wholesale ({"5300"}) rather than grocery ({"5411"}). Always verify with your issuer if you're unsure whether a specific merchant qualifies for bonus rewards on your card.
Other Eating places and Restaurants Merchants (MCC 5812)
Spending $200/month at Dairy Queen with the Ink Business Cash (5x on eating places and restaurants) earns approximately $120/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $96 more per year with no annual fee.
Prefer no annual fee? The Custom Cash earns 5x at Dairy Queen merchants, earning $120/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does Dairy Queen use?
Dairy Queen uses MCC 5812 (Eating places and Restaurants). This code is assigned by card networks and determines which bonus reward categories apply when you pay at Dairy Queen.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at Dairy Queen?
The Ink Business Cash earns 5x on eating places and restaurants purchases (MCC 5812), making it the highest-earning option at Dairy Queen among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at Dairy Queen?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on eating places and restaurants purchases, Dairy Queen transactions (MCC 5812) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is Dairy Queen classified as eating places and restaurants for credit card purposes?
Yes. Dairy Queen is classified under MCC 5812, which falls in the Eating places and Restaurants category. This means cards with eating places and restaurants bonus categories will apply the elevated earn rate at Dairy Queen.
What is MCC 5812 and what merchants use it?
MCC 5812 stands for Eating places and Restaurants. It is assigned to businesses that primarily operate in sit-down and fast-casual restaurants. Besides Dairy Queen, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the dining industry group.
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Full disclosure
MCC data based on card network classification standards.
Rankings verified monthly from official card issuer terms.
Last verified: April 04, 2026.
Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.
