The Howard Johnson brand was founded by entrepreneur Howard Dearing Johnson in 1925 and grew to 107 restaurants by 1939. The first Howard Johnson Hotel was established in 1954. It went public in 1961 with 88 motels and 605 restaurants; It was acquired by Wyndham Hotels in 1990. Howard Johnson International Hotels Group was formed in 1993. A record 75 hotels were opened in 1998.