In celebration of 100 years, Howard Johnson is reviving a fan-favorite menu item—the fried clam strip—as a limited-edition HoJo's Original Fried Clam Soap. Now available at select Howard Johnson hotels across the United States, and soon, online, this novelty bar soap shares an infusion of lemon, sea salt and butter, referencing the buttery rolls the strips were once served with. Although the last Howard Johnson's restaurant closed its doors a few years ago, many travelers still fondly remember savoring fried clam strips, and this release is a nostalgic collector's item.
For the next three weeks, guests staying a participating HoJo hotel can request a complimentary box of soap at the front desk by saying the correct code words—"fried clams"—upon check-in.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Nostalgia-driven Collectibles
- Businesses increasingly leverage cult-following items to evoke consumer nostalgia and drive demand for limited-edition collectibles.
- Scented Experience Products
- By combining unique scents with familiar memories, products like novelty soaps offer a new way for brands to engage with customers through multisensory experiences.
- Hospitality Brand Merchandising
- Hotels and lodging companies are broadening their brand reach through creative merchandise that resonates with longstanding customer sentiment and history.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Hospitality
- The hospitality industry sees growth in ancillary revenue streams as it incorporates nostalgic branding and merchandise into guest experiences.
- Novelty Gift
- The novelty gift industry thrives on creating unique, limited-time products that capitalize on popular culture and nostalgia.
- Fragrance and Personal Care
- Fragrance and personal care companies adapt by creating products that mimic culturally significant scents to tap into sentimental consumer markets.
