What Every Happened to Orange Julius?

In 1926, Julius Freed opened an orange juice stand in Los Angeles, launching what would become the iconic Orange Julius. Struggling with modest $20 daily sales, Freed’s fortunes changed in 1929 when his friend Bill Hamlin crafted a frothy, less acidic drink blending orange juice, milk, sweetener, powdered egg whites, vanilla, and ice. Customers shouted, “Give me an orange, Julius!” and sales soared to $100 a day. By the 1950s–60s, Orange Julius expanded to 745 franchised stands in malls, fairs, and even Disneyland, becoming the official drink of the 1964 New York World’s Fair. Its Googie-style buildings and “devilish” mascot (dropped after a lawsuit threat from Arizona State University) added flair.

The chain peaked in the 1970s, briefly entering the UK and Netherlands, but faced challenges as fast-food competition grew. In 1967, Al Lapin Jr.’s International Industries bought it, followed by Dairy Queen in 1987. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway acquired Dairy Queen in 1998, absorbing Orange Julius. By 2019, standalone stores were rebranded as Dairy Queen Treat Centers, and the drink shifted to artificial ingredients, alienating health-conscious consumers. Declining sales and high franchise costs led to its near disappearance.

The original recipe inspired Tang, it was sold by the gallon, and a 210-calorie small original had 50 grams of sugar. Once a mall staple, Orange Julius now lingers as a nostalgic Dairy Queen menu item. Love this? Like, follow, and hit the bell for more