Definitely remember them! As a kid on family trips (early to mid 1970s), although we preferred staying at Holiday Inns, we would sometimes venture to a Howard Johnsons, Ramada Inn, or Days Inn if the location was better, or if it was significantly cheaper, or whatever reason. Back then, all those chains had attached restaurants (otherwise we would not have stayed there).
And I do fondly remember the fried clam strips at the HJ restaurants as well!