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Topic starter
11/11/2025 8:31 pm
In the 1970s, it had over 1,000 restaurants and hotels, famous for its bright orange roofs, fried clams, and 28 flavours of ice cream. For families on road trips, “HoJo’s” was the stop — reliable, familiar, and everywhere. It pioneered the mix of food and lodging that would later define American travel.
But the 1980s changed everything. Fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King offered quicker, cheaper options. Howard Johnson’s couldn’t keep up. Its full-service model felt outdated in a world that wanted convenience.
Sales plummeted, locations closed, and the brand slowly faded from the mainstream.
11/11/2025 10:32 pm
Sad.
John Bono
North Jersey
11/11/2025 11:13 pm
Very sad, yet today, you have Chili's, Applebee's, and more that manage to survive that are just like what Howard Johnson's were back in the day.
11/11/2025 11:22 pm
Yes, at some point they will be replaced too just like Howard Johnson's since nothing lasts forever.Very sad, yet today, you have Chili's, Applebee's, and more that manage to survive that are just like what Howard Johnson's were back in the day.
John Bono
North Jersey
11/11/2025 11:37 pm
I never saw one - they were long gone. I think I would've enjoyed the experience. An Automat is also something I wish I could've witnessed firsthand. 😜 😜 Imagine a homemade 5-course meal, with beverage, for about $1 Extra sauce packets cost more than that now! 😕 😕
12/11/2025 6:26 am
@chris I recall going to the Automat with my Mom when she took me shopping. They were fun experiences.
John Bono
North Jersey
12/11/2025 6:35 am
There were HoJo's lining the interstates for miles. We always wanted to stop at a HoJo's when we needed gas; they had so much else! Now the BIG thing is Buck-ee's.
12/11/2025 8:22 am
At my age I have experienced Howard Johnson's and the Automat. The Automat was in the late forties in New York City with my parents and brother on vacation and Howard Johnson's years later when I was on the road working. Thanks for the memories David.
12/11/2025 9:13 am
Yes, another storied piece of history gone. As is stated, "time marches on". Not always for the better though.😟
12/11/2025 9:41 am
Gosh David, remembering back on this, in the '50's, it was just a restaurant, soda fountain and gas pumps along the highway where I loved to get candy when Dad stopped for gas. Also sometime in the '50's they opened hotels along the road called Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge.
Howard Johnson's; check out the old cars:
Then the Motor Lodge:
We still have them nearby. Here's a current Motor Lodge in nearby Pigeon Forge, TN. Now part of Wyndham Suites:
12/11/2025 6:21 pm
You couldn't miss that orange roof. We had one in our hometown.
Tony Perrone and David Green reacted