Family favorite restaurant chain closed over 1,000 locations

When I was younger, possibly nether property 10, my household often opted to thrust for vacations oregon concern trips. We mightiness marque the trek from the Boston country to Washington, D.C., oregon caput up to different parts of New England astatine slightest doubly a year.

As a kid, those trips meant a batch of clip to read, since smartphones weren't a happening backmost successful the aboriginal '80s, and the axenic joyousness of stopping for meals connected the way.

Back then, portion McDonald's and Burger King had a large section beingness successful New England, highways weren't served by fast-food chains. Instead, they were dominated by Howard Johnson's, a sit-down, comfort-food restaurant.

"Howard Johnson's, founded adjacent Boston successful 1925 by Howard D. Johnson, was erstwhile the biggest edifice concatenation successful the country, with astir a 1000 locations nationwide during the 1970s. Their desserts were staples for truthful galore Americans increasing up successful the 'Mad Men' era," CBS News reported.

The marque was built connected consistency, offering the aforesaid paper astatine each determination with precise work standards.

“You could enactment 1 astatine the extremity of a ungraded roadworthy successful the woods backmost present and you’d bash business,” erstwhile franchise relation Carl DeSantis told Eater.com. “Howard Johnson’s was the king of the road. You could marque wealth anywhere… A batch of guys ended up with Howard Johnson’s restaurants that wouldn’t person made it with immoderate different marque oregon arsenic independents.”

That ended successful 2022, erstwhile aft 97 years of history, the last Howard Johnson's closed its doors.

As a kid, Howard Johnson's, oregon HoJo's, arsenic it was affectionately called, mightiness person been the archetypal spot I tried a clam, oregon astatine slightest a clam strip. That was 1 of the chain's calling cards, and it wasn't a atrocious introduction constituent for a New England kid who would soon beryllium eating the whole-belly and earthy varieties.

Howard Johnson locations had a chiseled look and the aforesaid menu. This is what made them peculiar and noticeable:

• Orange-Roofed Restaurants: The iconic 28‑orange-roof plan made locations instantly recognizable.

• Ice Cream: Famous for its wide assortment of flavors, the concatenation began arsenic an crystal pick store successful 1925.

• Hot Dogs and Hamburgers: Simple, reliable, and classical American fare alongside the crystal cream.

• Consistency Across Locations: Customers could expect the aforesaid paper and prime nationwide.

• Family-Friendly Dining: Casual sit-down restaurants catering to families connected roadworthy trips.

• Extensive Highway Presence: Strategically located on large U.S. highways, perfect for travelers.

• Franchising Success: One of the archetypal chains to standardize franchise operations successful the U.S.

• Menu Staples: Known for fried clams, turkey sandwiches, and accepted American comfortableness foods.

• Combination of Restaurant and Motel: Many locations had adjacent “HoJo” motels, creating a one-stop store for travelers.

• Nostalgic Brand Legacy: Remembered for pioneering accordant fast-food eating and household question civilization successful mid‑20th-century America.
  Source: Eater.com