Howard Johnson Invests In Its History Collects Memorabilia For Public Display

(Wednesday, October 13, 1999) - Even before Howard Johnson International Inc. began its celebration of the 75th birthday of its brand name, the brand started an effort to preserve its history. With a few taps on the keyboard Howard Johnson International, Inc. was able to find and acquire Howard Johnson memorabilia from throughout the century. Using the online auction site, E-Bay, as well as through contributions from its franchisees, Howard Johnson International, Inc. invested in its rich history.

We have collected more than 50 items ranging from postcards to a waitress uniform to an orange roof tile installed in 1967, said Mary Mahoney, president and CEO of Howard Johnson International, Inc. These items are priceless treasures, and we are excited to be collecting them and putting them on display for public viewing in one location.

Some of the more unique items that have been collected include:

A September 1940 issue of Fortune Magazine with a nine page feature with color photos of Howard Johnson Restaurants. In addition to profiling the brands founder and namesake, the feature talks about the companys financial outlook and future plans. In the article, Howard Dearing Johnson is quoted as saying it was his dream to make a million dollars; A sterling silver Howard Johnson 3 Year Service Award Pin; A cigar box with the Howard Johnson pie man logo on the lid, and a sticker advertising Havanas for 15¢. (By way of background, Johnsons father was a cigar wholesaler, and Johnson himself worked in that business prior to opening his legendary drug store in Quincy, Mass. in 1925.); An 18 X 18 X 20 metal-stepped, Howard Johnsons candies display; A book entitled Howard Johnsons Presents Old Time Ice Cream Soda Fountain Recipes or How to Make a Soda Fountain Pay. The 80-page book has authentic recipes from the Golden Age of the Soda Fountain, including: Blackberry Bloom, Catawba Cobbler, and Siberian Flip as well as recipes for Syrups, Ice Cream, Ices and Sherbet, Fizzes, Sodas and Flips, Nostrums, Egg Drinks and Phosphates, Punches, Super Whammies and modern party desserts. Various designs of china and drinking glasses with the Howard Johnson logo; Numerous advertisements from the 50s and 60s; An If its not you mother, it must be Howard Johnsons bumper sticker; 1955 schematics for Howard Johnson Ocala, Florida lodge; and, A picture of the first west coast Howard Johnson Lodge & Restaurant near Disneyland.

These items will be on public display at the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor, a part of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management of the University of Houston in Texas. The Hall Of Honor inducted Howard Dearing Johnson this year, and the exhibit pays tribute to his legacy. The Hall of Honor is open seven days a week, and staff is available to answer questions Mon. through Fri. during business hours.

Howard Johnson International, Inc. franchises nearly 500 Hotels and Inns worldwide, including properties in Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Israel, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. To make a reservation any Howard Johnson property call toll-free in the United States: 800-I-GO-HOJO (1-800-446-4656) or access the chains Internet web site: www.hojo.com. Howard Johnson International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE:CD).

Contact: Andrew Miller 973-496-8439 andrew.miller@cendant.com

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