While the Claremont Motor Lodge continued to be a Howard Johnson into the 2000s, the "California-style" Restaurant served at least a couple of tenants since ceasing to wear the HoJo's name. Based on modifications to the building's facade, it was converted into a Big Boy probably in 1986 shortly after the Howard Johnson Company was dissolved.

Most Big Boys were converted into Carrow's or Coco's during the 1990s after Marriott exited the chain restaurant business, but it is not clear from the building itself if it served as an outlet of those brands before becoming BC Cafe.