# Novelty Fried Clam Soaps HoJo's Original Fried Clam Soap Takes After an Iconic Menu Item By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2025-09-16 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fried-clam-soap References: [prweek](https://www.prweek.com/article/1932492/miss-howard-johnsons-fried-clams-why-chain-released-fried-clam-soap) & [HoJo](http://HoJo.com)  In celebration of 100 years, [Howard Johnson](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hojos-original-fried-clam-soap) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/edible-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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-special-platter), 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.3/10 - Popularity: 100% | Activity: 100% | Freshness: 50% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Reimagined Hotel Menu Items](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hojos-original-fried-clam-soap.md) - [Cartoon Anniversary Soap Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nautical-nonsense.md) - [Cookie-Scented Body Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cookie-scented-body-soap.md) - [Savory Body Washes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seafood-boil-body-wash.md) - [Comical Hygienic Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soap-for-a-midlife-crisis.md) - [Spicy Snack-Inspired Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flamin-hot-bricc-soap.md) - [Nautical Cartoon Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/patrick-star.md) - [Nostalgic Superhero-Inspired Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cowabunga-cleanse.md) - [Hotel-Branded Luxury Soaps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soeder-and-htel-amour.md)