With a loan of $500, Howard Dearing Johnson purchased a small patent medicine shop in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1925. He used an old-fashioned, hand-cranked freezer in the store's basement to make vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream for the shop's soda fountain.
Three years later, with menu additions like hot dogs and hamburgers, he opened the first Howard Johnson's Restaurant. By 1935, there were 25 Howard Johnson ice cream and sandwich stands in Massachusetts. Five years later, with more than 100 restaurants on the Atlantic Coast, Johnson opened the first turnpike restaurant on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In 1954, when the company operated 400 restaurants, the first Howard Johnson hotel opened in Savannah, Georgia.
Howard Johnson by Wyndham is an iconic economy brand with American roots and global reach. While the footprint continues to expand, our commitment to our guests and the communities we serve remains unchanged—because a warm, friendly experience and honest hospitality never go out of style.
Founded by Howard Johnson in 1925, the brand has been forward-thinking since its inception, offering every owner a recognizable piece of heritage and a sense of pride. As an owner, you’ll benefit from the strong awareness, positive brand recall, and powerful geographic footprint of an established, classic brand. Howard Johnson has also started to implement RENEW—a transformative guest room redesign, honoring a longstanding tradition of innovation and furthering the mission to modernize the guest experience.
This is a great brand for owners looking for a business return on the investment of creating an emotional connection with guests, and a competitive advantage in the rapidly growing economy segment.
Howard Johnson ® is one of the most iconic hotel brands in America. The brand pioneered hotel franchising in 1954. Today, Howard Johnson has over 460 hotels in North America, Latin America, Asia and other international markets. In North America, the brand operates in the midscale and economy segments, while internationally the brand includes midscale and upscale hotels. The Howard Johnson brand targets families and leisure travelers, providing complimentary continental "Rise and Dine" breakfast and high-speed Internet access.
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