I was raised on good hamburgers and I just love a good burger. It takes me back to my boyhood days and the fun of eating in one of my parents’ Hot Shoppes restaurants.
When I travel out west, I try to pop into In-N-Out Burger, a regional chain located primarily in California and Arizona in the Southwest. In-N-Out burgers are great and their “Animal Style” burger really hits the spot. My father would have loved In-N-Out Burger because they cook their burgers to order and they use the best ingredients.
Back in the heyday of our Hot Shoppes restaurants, our menu had more than 300 items. We insisted that every selection be fresh and always available. It was that customer–oriented philosophy that helped make Hot Shoppes successful and laid the foundation for our global hotel business today.
Our attention to detail carries over to our Marriott sales force. They’ve helped In-N-Out Burger expand in Texas by offering one-stop shopping. Let me explain. Our sales representative has arranged for their team to stay at multiple Courtyards and Residence Inns. We’re the only hotel company that operates this way.
Before, our corporate customers would have to call each individual hotel to book a meeting or block of rooms. Now, they can make a single call to one of our sales offices and shop and compare all of our hotels across our family of brands and find just exactly what they need for their business.
That’s how our customers, like In-N-Out, told us they want to do business and we listened.
We began transforming our sales organization many years ago and now have eight offices around the U.S. It’s changing the game and making it easier than ever for our customers to book our hotels. We’re selling them the way they want to be sold.
At Marriott, we know a good burger and good customers. Thank you In-N-Out Burger. We’re certainly glad we can help you expand your terrific business.
I’m Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the Move.
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Hey Bill,
You could request those sales people to direct the in and out folks to meet in bethesda, md next time. basically, so we can start to get both a double double and fries in animal style around the wash dc area.
Cheers!
Posted by: Travis | 08/02/2011 at 05:41 AM
I'm probably one of their #1 fans. I even camped out and was the first one to order at the very first one to open in Utah (St. George to be exact). Now, they have expanded all over Northern Utah and still growing. I even get Christmas cards from them every year.
What's crazy is that I'm one of their biggest fans, and yet, I work for a #1 company, Marriott Vacation Club.
I love working for Marriott and now having In-N-Out relations is just the best.
Thank you Mr. Marriott!!! Come enjoy an In-N-Out Burger next time you are in Utah.
Posted by: Brian McLaws | 08/02/2011 at 05:34 AM
Mr Marriott, It has been a long time since I met you and your dad at the Rockville PK Hot Shoppes. I truly cherish the days that I was an Marriott employee. The Hot Shoppes Mystique and memories lives on for ever in the many MD/VA/DC people who grew up with the Hot Shoppes.
Even though I am no longer an employee, I still feel part of the Marriott family as I am a MVC owner and Marriott Rewrds member.
Is te In-N-Out Burger chain a Marriott property?
Posted by: Bob Poole | 08/02/2011 at 04:53 AM
Mr. Bill Marriott,
Learning from customers, is the key to SUCCESS !
Keep the spirit going !
Cheers !
Posted by: Prakash V M (PETER) | 08/01/2011 at 11:41 PM
Mr. Marriott--
I was doing business the Marriott Marquis, NYC over the 4th of July Holiday. At the stunning lobby bar, where they serve food, I did not look at a menu. I just requested a "A Marriott Burger." The server said, "Wow. That goes way back!" I find ordering a burger at ANY Marriott is a treat. Quality across the board. Brendan Ben Feeney
Gold Elite Member.
Posted by: Brendan Ben Feeney | 08/01/2011 at 11:09 PM
Hi Bill,
See if you can talk them into coming to Seattle.
Posted by: Robert Verginia | 08/01/2011 at 07:59 PM
In N Out and your sales organization? This doesn't really make sense to me. I love In N Out and I love Marriott, but how they relate is lost here.
Posted by: Jackson Stache | 08/01/2011 at 06:44 PM
Mr. Marriott, as I sit in Japan, you made me hungry thinking of a Double Double...
Posted by: Dom | 08/01/2011 at 06:34 PM
I've loved In-N-Out Burger ever since I was young! I've always appreciated In-N-Out Burger's values and how well they treat their team members. Kudos to you, Mr. Marriott!
Posted by: Marika | 08/01/2011 at 06:16 PM
Live in CA, and love In&Out. But while staying at the Williamsburg MVC, discovered 5 Guys. They have a great biz model, and sensational burgers! I'm a PLT Marriott and Prem Plus MVC member.
Posted by: @luvheli | 08/01/2011 at 05:06 PM
And one of your hotels has a room with a view to the In-N-Out Sign...Fisherman's Wharf Courtyard San Francisco.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bnilsen/5991377001/in/photostream
Posted by: Barbara Wells | 08/01/2011 at 05:03 PM
Would like to continue reading the interesting posts from a fellow UofU alumni, but Chase just increased the annual fee for a Marriott Rewards card by 50% and we'll be unfortunately ending our association by October. Thanks for many years of fine service however!
Posted by: john heimburger | 08/01/2011 at 02:58 PM
Mr. Marriott,
Can you talk to your friends at In 'N Out to see if they will co-locate their great restaurant with your great hotels?
The ocuntry is waiting for them to be a national chain. May I suggest they start in Colorado near your Courtyard Marriott locations?
Love your hotels! Keep up the great work.
Kimbirly
Marriott SIlver Rewards Member
Posted by: Kimbirly Orr | 08/01/2011 at 02:43 PM
I'm sooooo hungry. Your Marriott burgers are delicious too!
Posted by: Bonnie | 08/01/2011 at 02:19 PM
Always good to see great organizations supporting one another. Well done!
Posted by: Bryan Adkins | 08/01/2011 at 02:14 PM
I have been impressed with the ability of In-n-out to spread rapidly and remain wildly popular. They were wise to limit their spreading for many years so that the demand for their restaurants could grow before spreading.
Props to Marriott on a wise transition with their sales office consolidation. Convenience is a major consideration for corporations.
Posted by: Live Chat | 08/01/2011 at 02:09 PM
Mr. Marriott,
I miss In-N-Out Burger! I went to Arizona a couple of years ago to visit family and that was the first place I stopped by to grab a bite. The West Coast has the best fast food chains.
Posted by: Nicole | 08/01/2011 at 11:31 AM
I have always wanted to try In-n-out burger. I'll have to make the drive from CT sometime. YUM!
Posted by: Stephanie | 08/01/2011 at 09:53 AM