PARSIPPANY, N.J. (September 16, 2025) – Get ready to lather up with nostalgia. In celebration of 100 years of retro roadside family fun, Howard Johnson® is bringing back one of its most legendary menu items—the fried clam strip—but not in the way you think. Introducing HoJo’s Original Fried Clam Soap, a sudsy tribute to a dish as iconic as the brand’s unforgettable orange roofs, available today at select Howard Johnson hotels across the U.S. and for purchase online later this month.
Designed to look just like the crispy classics that helped put HoJo on the map, these limited-edition soaps are anything but fishy, thanks to infusions of lemon, sea salt and yes, just a hint of butter—an homage to the butter soaked rolls the strips were once served with.
“Howard Johnson is a brand woven into America’s cultural fabric and beloved by millions for generations. As we celebrate 100 years, our limited-edition fried clam soap is a fun, nostalgic tribute to the brand’s storied past and a playful nod to the retro-modern, family-friendly spirit that continues defining our hotels today.”
– Marissa Yoss, Head of Marketing, Howard Johnson by Wyndham
How to Get Yours For the next three weeks, guests staying at one of five participating HoJo hotels across the U.S. can request a complimentary box of soap at the front desk by mentioning the code words “fried clams” upon check-in. Up to ten boxes will be available per hotel, each distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Hotel reservation must have been made prior to Sept. 16. A full list of participating locations—from Anaheim, Calif. to Ocala, Fla.—is available here.
Can’t make it to a hotel but still want to get your hands on this one-of-a-kind collector’s item? Starting at noon ET on Friday, October 3, soaps will also be available for purchase at HoJo.com for $19.25 each before tax, a nod to the brand’s founding. Fans must act fast, as only 100 boxes are available. Free shipping included. Limit one per household. U.S. residents only. Learn more at HoJo.com/100.
“For the last 100 years, the HoJo brand has been synonymous with family road trips, celebrations, and everyday moments turned into lifelong memories. It’s a testament to the legacy of our founder, Howard Deering Johnson, and a powerful reminder that the most meaningful journeys are the ones we share with others.”
– Anthony Pizzuto, Brand Leader, Howard Johnson by Wyndham
A Legacy of Hospitality The Howard Johnson story began in 1925, when Howard Deering Johnson, a young entrepreneur running an apothecary in Quincy, Mass., noticed customers flocking to the soda fountain inside his shop. From that small counter, Johnson expanded into roadside stands, full-service restaurants, and eventually the iconic, orange-roofed hotels that made the brand a staple of American travel.
A century later, that roadside Americana legacy lives on, particularly in today’s HoJo hotels, where retro-modern guestrooms blend nostalgia with modern comfort. Bold pops of orange, sleek vinyl headboards, and crisp white linens set the scene, while playful details—like a marshmallow-shaped mirror and custom artwork inspired by the iconic gate lodge roofline—add a wink of whimsy. It’s the classic HoJo experience, thoughtfully reimagined for today’s traveler. Learn more at HoJo.com.
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About Howard Johnson by Wyndham For over a century, Howard Johnson (HoJo) has been part of America’s travel story—welcoming generations with its iconic orange roofs, friendly service, and family-friendly spirit. Today, the brand—one of 25 of under Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH)—continues that proud legacy with retro-modern inspired guestrooms, thoughtful amenities, and a playful spirit that blends nostalgia with contemporary comfort. Book your next stay at HoJo.com or visit WyndhamDevelopment.com for franchising opportunities. You can also like and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.
Iconic hotel brand celebrates new look and feel as hotel owners look to invest over $40 million, marking the brand’s largest design-refresh in more than 25 years
PARSIPPANY, N.J., August 22, 2019 – Howard Johnson® by Wyndham today celebrated its largest design-refresh in more than 25 years, giving New Yorkers a “sweet-peek” at its new hotel rooms via a one-of-a-kind, candy-inspired, pop-up event sure to put a smile on the faces of travelers of all ages.
Available exclusively at 393 Broadway in New York City, today and tomorrow only, tourists and locals alike are invited to visit “HoJo’s Sweet Escape” and “check-in” to the city’s newest accommodations: an all-candy re-creation—think marshmallows, jellybeans, licorice and more—of one of Howard Johnson’s new retro-cool hotel rooms, featuring modern design with a playful nod to the nostalgic days of orange roofs, ice cream and family road trips.
“Howard Johnson is one of those brands that is embedded in the hearts and minds of travelers young and old, the world over,” said Clem Bence, vice president of operations and brand leader for Howard Johnson. “Say ‘HoJo’ and people can’t help but to smile as they think back on the memories they’ve made with us over the decades. Our new look and feel seeks to celebrate our storied past while looking to the future with modern amenities, playful design and a re-imagined aesthetic that is distinctly Howard Johnson.” Howard Johnson’s re-imagined guestrooms take their inspiration from classic mid-century modern design while adding contemporary and stylish accents that place an emphasis on connectivity—ideal for on-the-go travelers wanting to plug-in and re-charge. Among other design aspects guests are sure to love: a playful, marshmallow wall mirror; sleek vinyl upholstered headboards and custom abstract art showcasing the brand’s iconic gate lodge roofline. Guests will also find a healthy dose of the brand’s signature colors, orange and turquoise, on display throughout the room.
Added Bence, “We wanted this design to do more than just please the eye, we wanted it to spark conversation and delight among our multi-generational guests, thoughtfully marrying the old with the new. The end result is a familiar, nostalgic experience that at the same time is both elevated and entirely new.”
Currently, more than 70 percent of Howard Johnson hotels across the U.S. and Canada have started or completed renovations in line with the new design package with the majority of hotels expected to have completed the refresh by the summer of 2020. Once they do, the brand estimates that Howard Johnson hotel owners will have invested a total of more than $40 million into elevating the on-property experience at more than 200 Howard Johnson hotels across the U.S. and Canada.
“HoJo’s Sweet Escape” is available today and tomorrow only and is free and open to the public from noon to 7 p.m. ET daily. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP for tickets here. While walk-ins are welcome, ticket holders will receive priority entry. In addition to enjoying an all-candy re-creation of one of Howard Johnson’s new hotel rooms, visitors will also enjoy one-of-a-kind, over-the-top photo ops and experiences sure to make the family the envy of Instagram, along with sweet treats to take home as a souvenir.
About Howard Johnson by Wyndham Part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Howard Johnson® by Wyndham is one of the world’s most iconic and well-known hospitality brands, spanning more than 335 hotels across North, Central and South America as well as parts of the Middle East and Asia. Most locations offer free Wi-Fi and complimentary Rise & Dine® breakfast as well as a host of other amenities including swimming pools, fitness centers and more. Guests can also earn and redeem points with Wyndham Rewards®, the brand’s award-winning loyalty program, when they join for free at www.wyndhamrewards.com.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 817,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 77 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
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Howard Johnson’s re-imagined guestrooms take their inspiration from classic mid-century modern design while adding contemporary and stylish accents that place an emphasis on connectivity—ideal for on-the-go travelers wanting to plug-in and re-charge. Among other design aspects guests are sure to love: a playful, marshmallow wall mirror; sleek vinyl upholstered headboards and custom abstract art showcasing the brand’s iconic gate lodge roofline. Guests will also find a healthy dose of the brand’s signature colors, orange and turquoise, on display throughout the room.
“HoJo’s Sweet Escape” is available today and tomorrow only and is free and open to the public from noon to 7 p.m. ET daily. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP for tickets 
