Howard Johnson's

Howard Johnson's

Howard Johnson's

Company type	Restaurant chain
Industry	Hospitality
Founded	1925
Founder	Howard Deering Johnson

Howard Johnson's is a historic American restaurant chain that was founded in 1925 by Howard Deering Johnson. It was one of the first restaurant chains in the United States and played a significant role in shaping the fast-food industry.

History

Howard Johnson's started as a small soda fountain shop in Quincy, Massachusetts. Howard Deering Johnson, a young entrepreneur, saw an opportunity to provide quality food and service to travelers. He expanded his business and opened the first Howard Johnson's restaurant in 1925.

The restaurant quickly gained popularity for its distinctive orange-roofed buildings and its focus on providing consistent, high-quality food. Howard Johnson's became known for its ice cream, fried clams, and 28 flavors of ice cream, which became a signature offering.

In the following years, Howard Johnson's expanded rapidly, opening new locations across the United States. By the 1960s, it had become the largest restaurant chain in the country, with over 1,000 restaurants.

However, as the fast-food industry evolved and competition increased, Howard Johnson's faced challenges in maintaining its market share. The chain struggled to adapt to changing consumer preferences and faced financial difficulties. In the late 1980s, the company filed for bankruptcy and began closing many of its locations.

Legacy

Despite its decline, Howard Johnson's left a lasting impact on the restaurant industry. It introduced many innovations that are now common in fast-food chains, such as standardized menus, franchising, and consistent branding.

The distinctive orange-roofed buildings became iconic symbols of American roadside culture. Many of these buildings have been preserved and are considered historic landmarks.

See also

• Fast food
• Restaurant chain
• Franchising

External links

• Official website