Our Story of Innovation

At Marriott, we never stop searching for inventive ways to serve our customers, provide opportunities for our associates, and grow our business. The company that began as a nine-seat A&W root beer stand is recognized today as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world.

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1927-1956

Marriott International begins as an A&W Root Beer franchise in Washington, D.C., in May 1927, with the same core values that guide the company today. Founders J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott get their business started by quenching people’s thirst during the hot, muggy summers in Washington, D.C., before serving food and becoming The Hot Shoppes, and entering other lines of business.

1927

1927

The company’s first venture is a nine-seat root beer stand in Washington, D.C., opening in 1927. J. Willard (J.W.) and Alice Sheets Marriott begin their business with partner Hugh Colton who, after one year, moves back to Utah leaving the newlyweds to grow their Hot Shoppes. Alice serves as the first bookkeeper, executive chef, and interior designer.

Newlyweds J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, along with business partner Hugh Colton, open the first A&W root beer franchise in Washington, D.C. 1927 The company’s first venture is a nine-seat root beer stand in Washington, D.C., opening in 1927. J. Willard (J.W.) and Alice Sheets Marriott begin their business with partner Hugh Colton who, after one year, moves back to Utah leaving the newlyweds to grow their Hot Shoppes. Alice serves as the first bookkeeper, executive chef, and interior designer.
1928

1928

The third Hot Shoppe opens in 1928 in Washington, D.C., becoming the first drive-in restaurant on the East Coast.
1929

1929

The company is officially incorporated under the name Hot Shoppes, Inc., in Wilmington, DE. J.W. Marriott and Alice Marriott become President and Vice President of their restaurant venture.
1937

1937

In 1937, after visiting the Hot Shoppe near the airport, J.W. Marriott thinks of expanding the business by delivering food to airlines at Hoover Airport, south of Washington, D.C. The in-flight airline catering division was part of the company until 1989.
1940-1950

1940-1950

During World War II, Hot Shoppes, Inc. begins managing cafeterias in the Washington, D.C., area at various government buildings such as defense plants and McClean Gardens, a government housing center for service people. Cafeteria management expands to other institutions in the late 1940s through the 1950s at corporations, colleges, and hospitals.
1953

1953

In 1953, Hot Shoppes, Inc. becomes a public company, offering stock for $10.25/share. The stock sells out within two hours.
1955

1955

In 1955, Hot Shoppes begin selling a new sandwich, considered the first double-decker hamburger on the East Coast. The Mighty Mo is named in a company contest in honor of the USS Missouri battleship.
1955

1955

After 28 years of being headquartered in Washington, D.C., Hot Shoppes, Inc. moves to Montgomery County, Maryland, and a new home in Bethesda in 1955.

1957-1976

Thirty years after the company’s founding, Hot Shoppes, Inc. expands into the lodging business with the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. J.W. and Alice’s son Bill Marriott, Jr. is appointed to lead the new segment of the business and oversee hotel expansion.

1957

1957

The Twin Bridges Motor Hotel opens in January 1957. With an adjacent Hot Shoppe, the 370-room property establishes Marriott in the hotel business.
1959

1959

With the success of their first hotel, the Marriotts open a second property in 1959: the Key Bridge Motor Hotel in Rosslyn, Virginia. Company founder J.W. Marriott gets assistance in ribbon cutting from his granddaughter, Debbie Marriott, and actress Dina Merrill.
1966

1966

In 1966, Marriott expands internationally as the airline catering division, In-Flite, acquires a flight kitchen in Caracas, Venezuela, serving various airlines that use the Maiquetia Airport.
1967

1967

The company is renamed Marriott Corporation.
1968

1968

In 1968, Marriott partners with cowboy star Roy Rogers to open a chain of fast food shops featuring roast beef sandwiches.
1969

1969

In 1969, Marriott opens its 11th hotel, the company’s first international property. The Paraiso is located on Acapulco Bay in Mexico.
1975

1975

In 1975, as the lodging business continues to grow, Marriott opens its first European hotel in Amsterdam.
1976

1976

In 1976, Marriott opens two Great America theme parks in Gurnee, Illinois, and Santa Clara, California. They are sold in 1984.

1977-1988

The year 1977 was momentous, marking not only the 50th anniversary of the company, but also the groundbreaking for a new headquarters building.

1979

1979

In 1979, the Marriott Corporation moves into its new headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. There is a celebration with Marriott family and associates.
1981

1981

In 1981, the 100th Marriott hotel – the Maui Marriott Resort – opens in Hawaii. J.W. Marriott and Bill Marriott, Jr. celebrate with a special ribbon cutting.
1983

1983

Marriott starts a new hotel brand, Courtyard by Marriott, in 1983. It is described as a hotel for business travelers designed by business travelers. The first few open in the Atlanta, Georgia, area and then expand nationally.
1984

1984

Marriott introduces its Honored Guest Awards program for frequent travelers in 1984.
1984

1984

The first JW Marriott Hotel opens in Washington, D.C., in 1984. Bill Marriott, Jr. names it in honor of his father, the company co-founder, who sees the completed project the year before his passing.
1987

1987

In 1987, Marriott acquires Residence Inn, originally founded in 1975 in Kansas, which expands its brand of hotels into the extended stay market.
1987

1987

In 1987, Marriott opens its first Fairfield Inn in Atlanta, Georgia, referencing Fairfield Farm, a Marriott family property in rural northern Virginia. It is the company’s first entry into the economy lodging segment.

1989-2004

In 1989, the Warsaw Marriott, the company’s 500th hotel, opens in Poland. It is the first western-managed hotel in Eastern Europe and the tallest hotel in Warsaw.

1993

1993

In 1993, Marriott Corporation splits its stock and forms two separate companies: Host Marriott Corporation and Marriott International, Inc.
1995

1995

In 1995, Marriott adds an iconic luxury brand to its portfolio, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, purchasing 49% interest. In 1998, Marriott acquires another 49% of The Ritz-Carlton for almost full ownership.
1997

1997

In 1997, Marriott launches TownePlace Suites, a moderately priced, extended stay hotel brand.
1997

1997

Marriott acquires upscale lodging company Renaissance Hotel Group in 1997, increasing the number of hotels in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South America, and Australia.
1998

1998

SpringHill Suites first open in 1998, an all-suite, moderately priced brand.
1999

1999

More than 72 years after the first Hot Shoppe opened, the last one, in Marlow Heights, Maryland, closes in 1999. The company founders’ sons, Bill Marriott, Jr. and Richard Marriott, participate in closing activities.
2000

2000

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Washington D.C., debuts as the company’s first branded residences property.
2004

2004

In 2004, the first Bulgari Hotel & Resort – the Bulgari Hotel Milano – opens in Milan, Italy. It is developed in partnership with luxury goods designer Bvlgari S.p.A.

2005-2015

In 2007, Marriott International announces its collaboration with hotelier Ian Schrager and creates EDITION Hotels, a new lifestyle luxury boutique hotel brand. The brand’s first property opens in Waikiki, Hawaii, in 2010.

2009

2009

In 2009, Marriott launches Autograph Collection, a new brand of upscale and luxury independent hotels.
2011

2011

In 2011, a partnership with hotelier Antonio Catalan results in AC Hotels by Marriott, rebranding existing AC Hotels primarily in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. The first AC Hotel opens in the U.S. in 2014 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
2012

2012

In 2012, Arne Sorenson becomes President and CEO of Marriott International with Bill Marriott, Jr. becoming Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board.
2012

2012

Marriott acquires Gaylord Hotels adding five hotels and approximately two million square feet of meeting and event space in 2012.
2013

2013

In 2013, Moxy Hotels is announced as a new stylish, affordable brand for Marriott especially for millennial travelers. The first Moxy hotel opens in Milan, Italy, in 2014.
2014

2014

Marriott acquires African hotel company Protea Hospitality Holdings in 2014; it nearly doubles the number of Marriott properties in Africa with 116 hotels.
2015

2015

In 2015, Marriott purchases Canada’s Delta Hotels and Resorts that includes 38 properties in 30 cities across the country.

2016-present

Heralding in a new era in 2016, Marriott International acquires Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide creating the world’s largest hotel company. There is a celebration in New York City’s Time Square.