What Ever Happened Orange Julious?

Welcome to Retro Foods, Brands & Products of the Past, where we sip on nostalgia with the iconic Orange Julius, the frothy orange drink that ruled mall food courts in the ‘80s and ‘90s! Born in 1926 in Los Angeles, Julius Freed’s orange juice stand became a sensation when his friend Bill Hamlin crafted a creamy blend of orange juice, ice, milk, sugar, vanilla, and powdered egg whites, making it less acidic and wildly popular. By the 1960s, Orange Julius boasted 700+ franchises, peaking at a $50 million valuation by the 1980s, with daily stand sales jumping from $20 to $100 (about $360-$1,800 in 2025 dollars). Competitors like Smoothie King and Jamba Juice emerged, but none matched its creamsicle-like charm. Acquired by Dairy Queen in 1987, Orange Julius lost its standalone spark, with many stores rebranded or closed by the 2000s. Missteps included inconsistent recipes at DQ locations and failure to adapt to health-conscious trends like low-sugar options. To survive, they could’ve leaned into retro branding or introduced vegan blends to rival Jamba’s smoothies. Fun fact: it was the official drink of the 1964 New York World’s Fair! Drop your favorite mall treat in the comments, smash that Like button, and subscribe to Retro Foods, Brands & Products of the Past for more throwback tales