[dropcap size=big]A[/dropcap]nyone growing up around Los Angeles after the 1970s most likely has vivid food memories involving Orange Bang or the company’s other colorful beverages that have cascaded in the fountains of your favorite low-key neighborhood spot for decades.
The frothy drink can be found everywhere around the city, from Hong Kong Express in South Central and Astro Burgers’ Inglewood location to a random Westlake strip mall Subway. Other drinks, including their Hispanic Olé! line, are nondescript taco joint standards all through Southern California.
According to a 1986 LA Times news feature, the Sylmar-based company became a cult favorite around the area without the advertising budgets of big named brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Over two decades later, Orange Bang founder David Fox says the drinks still speak for themselves.
“The product itself was the key to success,” Fox said. “You can spend all the money you want on advertising. If it’s not there, it’s not going to happen. It has to be a product that you really like.”