How much does a HOWARD JOHNSON franchise cost?

The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $333,899–$11,490,271, including a $35,000 initial franchise fee.

Is a HOWARD JOHNSON franchise worth it?

It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. HOWARD JOHNSON scores C on disclosure honesty, carries about 7% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 9 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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The real numbers on owning a HOWARD JOHNSON franchise

Hotel Franchise · FDD 2024 · from public state filings

CDisclosure honesty

This franchisor discloses earnings (Item 19) — but read how.

★★★☆☆ FranchiseValidate transparency rating: 3/5

Investment

$333,899–$11,490,271

Total fees

7% of sales

Outlets

143

Closure signals

5 ceased

Lawsuits

Is HOWARD JOHNSON worth it? How it compares to 223 similar franchises

Ongoing fees	7% of sales	lower than most (median 8%)
Startup cost	from $333,899	pricier than 75% of peers
Disclosure honesty	Grade C	typical for the category
Closure rate	3.5% of outlets	worse than 63% of peers
Disclosed lawsuits	9	more litigious than 93% of peers

Benchmarked against every other franchises franchise we've graded from public FDDs — the context the franchisor's pitch never gives you.

What their own earnings claim actually says

2023 data: 62 qualified facilities. Avg ADR $114.03, occupancy 56.9%, RevPAR $64.93. 29% met/exceeded avg. CRS contributed 75.5% revenue.

Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)

5 outlets ceased 2023; -11 net change 2022. System declining.

Legal history (Item 3)

9 matters disclosed.

Get the full HOWARD JOHNSON validation report — $149

The franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. We do — reconstructed from their own FDD.

Franchisor's framing: 2023 data: 62 qualified facilities. Avg ADR $114.03, occupancy 56.9%, RevPAR $64.93. 29% met/ex…

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Break-even timeline + cash-on-cash ROI on your investment
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Decoded real failure / closure rate
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HOWARD JOHNSON franchise — frequently asked

How much does a HOWARD JOHNSON franchise cost?: The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $333,899–$11,490,271, including a $35,000 initial franchise fee.
How much do HOWARD JOHNSON franchise owners make?: 2023 data: 62 qualified facilities. Avg ADR $114.03, occupancy 56.9%, RevPAR $64.93. 29% met/exceeded avg. CRS contributed 75.5% revenue. We grade this disclosure C for honesty.
What is the HOWARD JOHNSON franchise failure rate?: 5 outlets ceased 2023; -11 net change 2022. System declining.
Is a HOWARD JOHNSON franchise worth it?: It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. HOWARD JOHNSON scores C on disclosure honesty, carries about 7% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 9 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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Compare HOWARD JOHNSON to similar franchises

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Source: MN CARDS 30831-202403-02 (Clean FDD 2024). FranchiseValidate is independent and not affiliated with HOWARD JOHNSON or its franchisor. Figures are extracted from the franchisor's own public disclosure document; verify against the current FDD before any decision.