The 25 People Who Changed Food in America

05.16.08
Howard Johnson

Howard Deering Johnson (1897–1972), food-service innovator


From an ice cream business in Quincy, Massachusetts, he went on during the Depression to establish a sprawling, highly visible restaurant franchise. Each franchisee had to employ the same distinctive architectural style and uniform menu. Johnson’s coup was to exploit expanding highway travel at a decisive moment, acquiring exclusive food-service rights along several state turnpikes and later purchasing strategic spots at highway exits.

Comments

Post a Comment
Subscribe to Gourmet

Please note that Gourmet magazine ceased publication after the November 2009 issue.

Subscribers can look forward to receiving Bon Appétit magazine for the remainder of their subscription. If you have questions about your Gourmet magazine subscription, please contact subscription services. If you'd like to purchase past issues of Gourmet, please go to the Condé Nast store.

We regret any inconvenience and thank you for your loyal readership.

Subscribe to Gourmet

Conde Nast Store
Give the Gift of Gourmet

Subscribe

Subscribe to Gourmet
Diary of a Foodie

From Vermont to Vietnam, take a global culinary tour with season three of the award-winning public television show, Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie.