Founded by J. Willard and Alice Marriott, and guided by family leadership since 1927, their principles remain embedded in the company’s culture and in everything we do today.
1927-1956
Marriott International begins as an A&W Root Beer franchise in Washington, D.C., in May 1927. 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. The business is named Hot Shoppes when the menu expands, and good food and service at fair prices become guiding principles as the company grows.
1957-1976
Thirty years after founding his first business, J.W. Marriott expands into the lodging business with the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. His son Bill Marriott, Jr. is appointed to lead the new segment of the business and oversee hotel expansion.