Howard Johnsons may have been a mostly regional restaurant.
Many parts of the country were never populated with them, or with only a few.
Another poster just mentioned Stuckey’s.
I always thought that was an odd name for any business, but they did well. I recall passing a few Stuckeys in central Ohio during the 70’s. Places like Tiffin, Bowling Green and Findley Ohio, down this particular highway.
I can relate to that.. I remember when Whataburger was only in Texas...
I think Stuckey was the family name of the founder.
I’ve traveled a lot...would agree, throughout eastern coast and maybe up to Ohio....you saw them.
I don’t remember ever seeing a single one in AZ or NV, or Colorado.