What Happened to Howard Johnson's? They Were Bigger Than McDonald's

Howard Johnson's was once bigger than McDonald's and Burger King combined. For a time, Howard Johnson's was the largest restaurant chain in America, with hundreds of restaurants stretching across the nation's highways. So how did one of the most recognizable restaurant brands in American history disappear? For a time, Howard Johnson's operated more restaurants than McDonald's and Burger King combined. The famous orange roof became one of the most recognizable sights on American highways, serving travelers across the country with fried clams, hot meals, and 28 flavors of ice cream. But what happened to Howard Johnson's? In this video, we explore the rise and fall of Howard Johnson's, from a small ice cream stand in Massachusetts to the largest restaurant chain in America. We'll examine how Howard Johnson's pioneered restaurant franchising decades before McDonald's, dominated the American highway system, and ultimately declined due to changing travel habits, fast-food competition, and a series of ownership changes. By 2022, the final Howard Johnson's restaurant had closed, ending the story of a company that once defined roadside America. #HowardJohnsons #BusinessHistory #McDonalds #FastFoodHistory #FranchiseHistory #AmericanHistory #CorporateHistory #BrandHistory #BusinessDocumentary #RoadsideAmerica #WhatHappenedTo