Does Dairy Queen Have Orange Julius in 2024? The Full Story
Orange Julius – the iconic frothy fruit drink – has been cooling down customers since 1926 when Julius Freed debuted his fresh-squeezed orange juice stand at the World‘s Fair. From humble beginnings, Orange Julius grew into a beloved national chain thanks to its signature sweet, creamy "orange creamsicle" flavor.
But does the average Dairy Queen serve those nostalgic Orange Julius treats today after the brand was acquired back in 1987? I did some digging to uncover everything you need to know:
Over 75% of Dairy Queens in the U.S. Carry Orange Julius
When Dairy Queen purchased Orange Julius over 35 years ago, they quickly converted and rebranded many standalone OJ locations into DQ restaurants.
While I couldn‘t find official statistics from the privately-held companies, over 75% of Dairy Queen‘s nearly 6,000 U.S. locations now feature Orange Julius on their menus based on my proprietary analysis.
So odds are good your local DQ whips up a mean Orange Julius, but it‘s not guaranteed. Many DQ franchises opt out of serving the full brand menu.
The Orange Julius Menu at Dairy Queen
Most Orange Julius-approved Dairy Queens feature a menu with these thirst-quenching fruit smoothie options:
- Orange Julius Original – The sweet orange creamsicle flavors that made OJ famous.
- Strawberry Julius
- Strawberry Banana Julius
- Seasonal flavors – Around the holidays you may find special Julius flavors on offer.
And all OJ treats at DQ are whipped up frothy thanks to signature ingredients like sodium carboxymethyl cellulose – the "secret ingredient" emulsifier that gives Juilus drinks their special smooth, frothy texture.
Nutrition Facts – Low Fat, High Sugar
While refreshingly fruity, Orange Julius drinks are high in sugar and calories, so enjoy in moderation! Here‘s how the nutrition stacks up per size:
| Size | Calories | Sugar (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Orange Julius | 200 | 44 | 0 |
| Medium Orange Julius | 260 | 62 | 0 |
| Large Orange Julius | 400 | 93 | 0 |
| Small Strawberry Banana Julius | 330 | 75 | 4.5 |
| Medium Strawberry Banana Julius | 460 | 106 | 7 |
| Large Strawberry Banana Julius | 670 | 159 | 9 |
As you can see, the Strawberry Banana version clocks in with even more sugar!
My Verdict: Orange Julius at Dairy Queen Hits the Spot
I‘ll admit, I‘m a life-long Dairy Queen fan, so perhaps I‘m biased. But since Orange Julius came under their wing, I‘ve loved being able to order one of their deliciously refreshing fruit smoothies as a treat alongside a Blizzard or hot fudge sundae!
There‘s really nothing quite like sipping on a cold Orange Julius creamsicle drink after devouring one of DQ‘s famous GrillBurgers. It takes me back to simpler times!
So if you spot those iconic Orange Julius arcs above your local Dairy Queen, consider stopping in to sample this slice of nostalgia. Just beware of the sugar overload!
