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While there are many hotel chains, none have such a unique journey as Marriott. With early beginnings in Washington, D.C., J.W. Marriott lived on the East Coast while on a mission with his church. He then purchased a root beer stand in 1927. Marriott saw the opportunity to grow and quickly developed the franchise into the first drive-thru on the East Coast.

The possibilities did not end with just a drive-thru root beer stand for Marriott. He bought restaurants and turned his small company into Marriott Corporation. Like many entrepreneurs, he took the risk to venture into another industry. By 1957, he purchased his first hotel and charged $9 a night. The hotel industry proved a success for Marriott as he acquired more hotels throughout the years.

While never forgetting their humble beginnings and core values, Marriott Inc. has become an innovator of the hotel industry with 11 hotels by 1970. During the events of the 9/11 attacks, Marriott committed to the safety, integrity, and loyalty of their customers.

The fast growing hotel conglomerate might be viewed as a titan and a threat to their hospitality industry competitors. However, Marriott’s commitment to putting people first makes them the humble leader where customers from all backgrounds can feel welcomed. Marriott didn’t kick things off with billions—they started with a drink stand and a dream.

The pathway to Marriott’s success was not a straightforward journey. They are proof that success does not come overnight, but rather a strategic plan that does not compromise their values.

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Today, Marriott stands as a hospitality titan—a global powerhouse with thousands of properties and brands that span the spectrum of travel. But long before boardrooms and billion-dollar mergers, Marriott was just a humble root beer stand in Washington, D.C.

In 1927, John Willard Marriott and his wife, Alice, saw an opportunity to quench the city’s summer heat. That small A&W franchise quickly grew into Hot Shoppes, a food venture that embraced innovation early, introducing the East Coast’s first drive-in service. From there, Marriott’s hunger for improvement never stopped.

By 1957, they opened their first hotel, charging just $9 a night. It was the beginning of something big. Through the decades, Marriott evolved with bold moves: acquiring The Ritz-Carlton, expanding globally through Starwood, and leading the industry in digital bookings. Even challenges—like the 9/11 attacks, data breaches, and global crises—didn’t deter them. They adapted, modernized, and emerged stronger.

Now, competitors and critics call Marriott the “monster” in the room. But let’s not forget—they earned this place. Every acquisition, every brand launch, every leap into emerging markets was built on nearly a century of grit, resilience, and relentless customer focus.

Marriott didn’t start with billions. They started with a beverage stand and a vision.

Their journey isn’t just a story of success—it’s a blueprint. For every startup dreaming big and for every underdog with a bold idea, Marriott is proof that greatness doesn’t come overnight. It’s earned over nearly 100 years of service, innovation, and staying power.

And if being a “monster” means setting the standard that the rest chase? Marriott will wear that title with pride.