In 1948, Earl Bane began his career in the Dairy Queen business by building his first store on North 9th Street in Salina, Kansas.  Always an entrepreneur, he ultimately became one of the largest territory operators for Dairy Queen, overseeing the development of 148 stores across 7 states.

In 1994, Earl retired from the Dairy Queen business.  He established the Earl Bane Foundation, a charitable foundation, as his way to give back to the Salina community in two significant ways:

• Community improvement by providing grant funds to area nonprofit organizations
• Scholarships to Saline County high school graduates attending Kansas colleges.

Earl was passionate about the Salina community. It was essential for him to give back to the community that had helped him become successful. The Foundation continues to award grants to nonprofit organizations and local governments in Saline County and the surrounding area that seek to improve their communities. See more information on community improvement grants and how to apply.

Education was also important to Earl. He designed a scholarship program through the Foundation for select high school seniors who attend a Kansas college. The requirements of the scholarship are a reflection of his life, focusing on a strong work ethic and enterprising potential of the student. See more information on the Earl Bane Scholarship. 

Since 1994, the Earl Bane Foundation has granted over $14 million to the Saline County area through grants and scholarships. 

In recognition of his influence in Salina, Earl was inducted into the Salina Business Hall of Fame in 2019.  Read more about Earl.