Another threat to the company was an impending 1979 lawsuit brought forth by the Federal Trade Commission on behalf of Howard Johnson franchisees. Site specialists were hired to identify top real estate locations to build new motor lodges. However as with the Marriott holdings sales, this removed the chains best stores from the portfolio and left PMI with the lower-performing locations. The elder Johnson was a Steve Jobs-type of leader perhaps not the most diplomatic of stewards, but one possessing the kind of drive necessary to lead an industry. Howard Johnson Obituary (2006) - Seattle, WA - The Seattle Times A handful of restaurants held out into the late 2000s, but the company has been gone for decades. As of October 2017, thislisting has been removed and it can only be accessed via the web archive. Four named to Div. IV All-Ohio Football Team - The Times Gazette In December of 2016 DeSantis Enterprises hired a new real estate firm to sell their property (see archived listing). A 1960 news article boasted Howard Johnsons achievements in food: Howard Johnsons food now appears on tables everywhere. After the war the United States experienced a terrific economic boom sparked by the rising middle class. Howard B. Johnson, 71, of Exton, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery County after a 17-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. Home. Clam Chowder the Jacques Pepin (and HoJo's) Way Were trying all sorts of new things, Howard B. Johnson announced as he attempted to modernize the brand. It also considered discontinuing the orange roof, as HoJos then-president Eric Pfeffer declared, As we change with the times, weve got to show the newness.. It didnt surprise me that after Howard D. Johnsons death in 1972, his organization lost its raison detre.