Ancaster teen gains TikTok fame with viral Dairy Queen videos

Grade 12 student Morgann Book wasn't expecting to serve viral videos with her ice cream.

But the Ancaster, Ont., teenager has turned herfamily's Dairy Queen into a TikTok sensation over the past year, attracting millions of views as she shows the behind-the-scenes process of making frozen treats.

"I never expected this in a million years," saidBook, 17, who works part-time at the Ancaster Dairy Queen.

Her TikTok account, "@AncasterDQ," exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, boasting 1.5 million followers and 47.1 million likes as of December.

Wearing a phone attached to her body, Bookfilms herself making customicecream cakes and other treats. She often adds a voiceover, sharing thoughts and stories.

She made her firstTikTokduring a slow day last January. But her account skyrocketedover the summer when she started making more frequent videos and she gained 1.2 millionfollowers in four weeks.

"Honestly, I was in shock," said Book, who hasworked at her family'sfranchise for years.

"I never really thought that other people would be interested," she said.

Her dad, Ryan Book, says ice cream cake sales are up 15 to 18 per cent due to his teenager's social mediasavvy.

Book says she now gets multipledaily requests from customers asking that she make a TikTokvideo out of their order.

She's started going to work at 5:30 a.m.to make cakes before school, Book said.

It's not something she needs to do. But Book says she loves it.

She's met several peoplethrough the TikTok account, some of whom order cakes from as far asToronto, Oakville, Burlington andBrantford.

"It allows me to connect with the community," said Book. "Especially during COVID right now, because it's so hard to do that."

Some of her more popular videos have featured a Harry Styles cake, or training videos for working at Dairy Queen.

For her parents, it's been a help for theirmarketing budget.

Ryan Book and his wifeopened the AncasterDairy Queen last year, and also own a location in Stoney Creek.

Hedidn't know much about TikTok when their daughter started the account and, "wewere concerned, like any middle aged parents would be."

But now, he thinks it's great.

Customers started asking for photos in the storeand referencing the "TikTok girl."

"It's actually been overwhelming with the amount of followers she had," he said.

Dairy Queen's head office, which is based in Burlington, has taken an interest in Book's social media presence too,he said.

Book said she was inspired by a TikTokker who worked at a Cold Stone Creamery in Missouri.

She hasposted severaltraining videos, and saidshe loves to help other young people get work.