Many American malls have enjoyed having Orange Julius as their tenants for four decades! Selling their signature frothy, sweet orange drink that gave smiles within the first sip. The end of an era is here with the sad news of multiple shop closures, including the iconic Portland Lloyd Center.
Many loyal customers are devastated by this news as it was a big part of their childhood memories and even now family outings. It is nice to know that beloved brands are not just another item you purchase; if managed correctly, they can also create lifelong connections.
Why Did They Close?
The last stand-alone Orange Julius store in Portland will close on June 29, 2025, in Portland’s Lloyd Center Mall after 42 years of operation! This is primarily linked to the unfortunate passing of the owner, Bob Slayton, who died on May 19 at 82. However, there were other factors behind the closing of this store as well. The biggest reason for the closure of these stores is that there has been quite a decline in mall traffic all around the states.
In the past, malls were the place to be! Whether hanging out with friends, going to the cinema, or even doing retail therapy. But let’s face it: we are living in 2025, and it is more convenient for consumers to shop online and have their items delivered to their doorstep. Most Orange Julius outlets were located in the mall, but it became a lot more challenging to stay afloat financially without the much traffic of the past.
Consumers are More Health Conscious
Many people have started prioritizing their health, which makes them more conscious of the foods and drinks they consume. Today’s craze is all about fresh fruits, veggies, and much less sugar. A small Orange Julius contains about 200 – 250 calories and a lot of sugar, which leads to customers not wanting to consume this product regularly.
This not only applies to Orange Julius; if restaurants aren’t prepared to adapt to a healthier menu, they can risk losing a lot of clientele. Dan Radigan, former Orange Julius franchisee at Empire Mall: “With changing consumer tastes and the rise of healthier options, it’s been tough to keep the traditional Orange Julius drink as popular as it once was.”
Here’s to the Owners Who Made It Feel Like Home
Orange Julius was special because every franchise owner made sure to be a part of the community and not just a businessman. Take Bob Slayton as an example; he ran his store for over 40 years at Portland’s Lloyd Center Mall! From the Lloyd Center Dairy Queen-Orange Julius Instagram post (upon closure): “Bob was the heart and soul of this store. He made every customer feel special and truly cared about the community he served.”
To him, it wasn’t just selling drinks and making money; he greeted his customers by name and kept the store running until he could no more. This made Orange Julius survive through all of the changes during the following years leading up until now.
The Orange Julius Journey
It was 1926 when Orange Julius started as a simple juice stand in Pasadena, California. For several years, it remained small up until 1957, when Dairy Queen bought it. This drink is quite unique as it is a mix of orange juice, vanilla, and a frothy, creamy texture, which many people enjoy. As time passed, Orange Julius expanded and opened a store in numerous malls, making it the perfect place for a family treat.
“For many of us, Orange Julius was just part of the mall experience growing up. It was a treat you looked forward to after a day of shopping.” -Longtime customer, via Eater Portland. Despite the sad news of this fantastic brand closing as a stand-alone store, it will always remain special for many people.
A Sweet Spot in Our Hearts
This truly feels like the end of an era for many. The memories of going to Orange Julius leave a happy memory and take you back to when things were so much simpler. “It’s the end of an era. Orange Julius was a big part of my childhood—every trip to the mall meant getting one.” This was a Reddit user reflecting on the closure.
Nothing was better than sharing this sweet treat with your family, getting something cool to drink on a hot day, or even hanging around with friends. At least we can not erase the memories made in these stores even if they aren’t with us anymore. It will live on in the hearts of communities all over!
Economic Pressures Behind These Franchise Closures
There are several factors to keep in mind about why stores close in malls. The rent can be ridiculously high, which makes it impossible to sustain financially. Dan Radigan, former Orange Julius franchisee at Empire Mall, Sioux Falls, said: “The lease was up, and it just didn’t make sense to renew with the way things were going.”
As the rent went up and traffic within malls declined, keeping those doors open was impossible. From the viewpoint of a mall management spokesperson, they mentioned to Sioux Falls Business Journal, “We understand it’s a challenging environment for many tenants, and we try to work with them, but sometimes the market just isn’t there.”
So, Why is Dairy Queen Phasing Out Orange Julius?
The parent company of Dairy Queen has made a decision to stick with the products that are more popular in today’s crowd, like ice cream cones, Blizzards, and other frozen treats. It makes it all the more difficult to remember a brand like Orange Julius when all the attention is focused on these sweet treats. It is still a business, after all, and being able to grow this business and make it stronger sometimes means the less popular products need to be cut.
From a Dairy Queen spokesperson talking menu focus to QSR Magazine: “We continually evaluate our menu to ensure we’re offering the products our fans love most.” This does not mean that Orange Julius will be discontinued. It simply means that it will be phased out in some stores.
How Companies Can Survive The Shift
Orange Julius is not the only legacy brand that fell under this trap. Some well-known companies that have been there for years find it difficult to keep up with today’s consumers. If you cannot keep up with being healthy, eco-friendly, or more convenient by ordering online, it is almost guaranteed that you will see a decline in sales.
Orange Julius closing down should be a huge wake-up call for other companies; in the end, even having community and special relationships won’t be enough to stay open if you do not go with the wave of what the consumer wants.
What Comes After Orange Julius?
As the time comes closer to saying goodbye to the last Orange Julius franchise it is best to focus on the happy memories this brand brought to numerous families over the years rather than the closing part of it.
Businesses should take a step back and look into the values of caring about customers, making quality products, and creating a sense of community while staying in the loop and keeping up with today’s trends. It can redefine the future of food and shopping for everyone.