Howard Johnson's History - Rise and Fall of HoJo Restaurant

This video covers the history of Howard Johnson's from the 1920s until the last location in New York closed in 2022.

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[franknew]

As a kid growing up in the 1960's and 1970's, our family ate at multiple Howard Johnson's locations in Maryland on a regular basis. Also on family vacations from Maryland to Florida and back, my dad would would always stop at a Howard Johnson's when it was time for a meal. We would also stay at some of the Howard Johnson's motor lodges while on vacation. It's sad to think that at one point in time there were over 1, 000 Howard Johnson's restaurants, now they are all closed. 😢😢

When I saw the picture of the Howard Johnson motel @9:28, I am almost sure that is the one located in Florence, South Carolina, just off of Route 95 at exit 164. Around 2018, they totally gutted all of the rooms, and did a complete remodel and the rooms look brand new on the inside. I have stayed there a number of times in the past five years, and their rates have been very competitive. 😊😊

[MrAskid]

Born in 91 never had a chance to try the restaurants. Theres a old Ho Jos lodge in gainsville. It no longer bears the ho jo name but the current owners have kept the place up. Its nice to have a quaint motel to wake up to the sleepy florida morning sun.

[trekkeruss]

For 10 years, 1960 to 1970, famed chef Jacques Pépin was the director of recipe research and development for Howard Johnson's restaurants. My favorite thing to eat at HoJo's was the fried clams.

[MarkYarton]

Howard Johnson had one flavor in the movie blazing saddles 😂😂😂 fried clams with lemon juice was the best

[ABFSU]

Ah, yeah! I only knew about HoJo from AVGN: he did an episode a year or two ago about Sega VHSes.

[skitraindance]

My last visit to Howard Johnson was around 1970 on the New Jersey Turnpike heading south. We got a late start out and figured we would have dinner on the road at Howard Johnson’s who had exclusive control of all food on the New Jersey Turnpike. When we stopped for dinner we were greeted with a very long line to get a table. I took a look inside and was shocked to find almost half of the tables empty. A fast food kiosk in the parking lot which would have taken some of the heat off the main restaurant was also closed. It was clear that Howard Johnsons had no intention of serving its captive customers on the New Jersey Turnpike. Even before that we had noticed a major decline in service with long waits and cold food. I never ate at a Howard Johnsons again and after that we would brown bag it and eat in the car on the New Jersey Turnpike knowing that we would not be served t the Howard Johnson Restaurants.

[kryceksangel]

Being on the west coast i only heard of it from reading BSc books. Thought it had to do with the motel chain

[thaiboypsp]

Damn sucks to see last location closed down.

[jaxxkane]

In the 60s we had a Ho Joe's in Cleveland ohio we my mother & I would eat at loved the fried clams and liver & onions those where good times ❤ thanks

[juanserrano]

You should do Blockbuster video and Bed Bath & Beyond too👍📲🛒

[adelissahunsley]

Does anyone remember the address of the one that was in Statesville NC?

[slackerman]

Where o where will I get my thawed food?

[michaelwhite]

The Connie Francis incident killed them.

[Blue_ocean]

The Howard Johnson motel has bed bugs, mice and roaches. The entire chain needs to be shut down.

[TheCrabman]

This is a horrible video.
The backstory and explanations on how the company was built is wrong and overly simplistic.
Your channel is rubbish.