Company Press Release: Marriott International, Inc.
December 3, 1999
WASHINGTON, DC -- At yesterday's official closing of the last Hot Shoppe, J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief
executive officer, Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), announced that he will preserve the Hot Shoppe legacy
by opening a special commemorative restaurant at the Key Bridge Marriott hotel in Arlington, Va. Marriott plans
to convert the hotel's existing family restaurant into a Hot Shoppe designed to resemble the original restaurant,
which opened in Washington, D.C., on May 20, 1927.
``My parents started the company with Hot Shoppes more than 70 years ago, and I think it is important to remember
their tradition of service and hospitality,'' Mr. Marriott said. ``The Key Bridge Marriott stands on the site of
one of the original Hot Shoppe restaurants and is an appropriate location for the name to live on. We're not going
back into the Hot Shoppe business, but the entire Marriott family is determined to preserve something so important
to our lives and our company's heritage.''
The single Hot Shoppe restaurant will replace the Key Bridge Marriott's existing Allie's family restaurant and
is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2000. The restaurant will feature the classic ``Running Boy'' logo and
be filled with Hot Shoppe memorabilia reminiscent of the concepts heyday. The menu will also feature many original
items including the Mighty Mo sandwich, Teen Twist, Onion Rings and Hot Fudge Ice Cream Cake.
Earlier today, Marriott closed the last Hot Shoppe, located at the Marlow Heights Shopping Center in Maryland.
Richard E. Marriott, Chairman, Host Marriott Corporation, joined Bill Marriott for the event along with other family
members. Bill and Richard Marriott also presented a donation to the Children's National Medical Center and honored
Grace Lashley, a 48-year Hot Shoppe associate.
The Hot Shoppe era began on May 20, 1927, when J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott opened a nine-seat root beer stand
in the District of Columbia. Chili, hot tamales and barbecued beef were added to the menu, and the name Hot Shoppes
was born. Two years later, Mr. and Mrs. Marriott operated four Hot Shoppes. The Marriotts researched future Hot
Shoppes locations by counting cars on Washington's main streets. They also opened the first drive-in restaurant
in the east in 1928 with the first Hot Shoppes ``Running Boys,'' famed for their quick and efficient service to
customers' cars.
The business prospered, and the Marriotts had seven outlets in the nation's capital by 1932. Despite the Depression,
demand remained strong for Hot Shoppes' budget-priced family-style meals. Over the next several years, Mr. and
Mrs. Marriott concentrated on expanding the Hot Shoppes and added in- flight catering. By 1960, there were 70 Hot
Shoppe restaurants in seven states and the District of Columbia.
Marriott International has grown in to one of the world's most recognized and preferred hospitality brand companies
with more than 1900, operating units in the U.S. and 58 countries. As the company enters the next millennium, Marriott
plans to expand its global presence by adding 1,000 hotels and 175,000 rooms across its portfolio of brands over
a five-year period ending in 2003.
Marriott International is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 1,900 operating units in the United
States and 58 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott,
Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada
International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership (timeshare) resorts under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton
and Horizons brands; operates executive apartments and conference centers; and provides furnished corporate housing
through its ExecuStay by Marriott division. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services,
wholesale food distribution, and procurement services. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has
approximately 140,000 employees
Note: This press release contains ``forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of federal securities law,
including statements concerning the number of hotels expected to be added in future years, business strategies
and their intended results, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are
not historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties,
including the effects of economic conditions; supply and demand changes for hotel rooms, competitive conditions
in the lodging industry, relationships with clients and property owners; and the availability of capital to finance
growth, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements
herein.
SOURCE: Marriott International, Inc.