What hotel chain was originally a line of root beer stands?
Hyatt
Marriott
Hilton
Four Seasons
It’s fascinating to note that the renowned hotel chain Marriott, one of the world’s largest and most recognizable hotel brands, had surprisingly humble beginnings as a line of root beer stands. In 1927, J. Willard Marriott and his wife Alice opened an A&W root beer stand in Washington, D.C. Soon, they added food to the franchise’s menu and renamed it “Hot Shoppes,” opening more locations within a few years. For 30 more years, Hot Shoppes was successful until the Marriotts made a pivotal decision in 1957 to transition into the hotel business, opening the world’s first motor hotel in Arlington, Virginia.
Correct Answer: Marriott