100 Years of Hospitality.
One Enduring Legacy.

Our Past

The McKibbon journey began with a simple yet profound idea: to serve the community with dedication and care. This ethos laid the foundation for a legacy that would evolve from a small grocery store to a leader in the hospitality industry.‍

It started with groceries. In 1926, brothers Jack and Marvin McKibbon opened a Piggly Wiggly in Gainesville, Georgia — the first self-service grocery store north of Atlanta. It was an unassuming start, but it carried the instincts that would define this company for generations: see a need, fill it well, and take care of your community.Two decades later, the business took a turn toward hospitality. After returning from the U.S. Air Force, Jack McKibbon Jr. opened Gainesville’s first fine-dining restaurant, The Avion. Soon after, three nearby houses were converted into guest rooms, eventually becoming the Avion Motel. That modest beginning marked McKibbon’s entry into lodging — a step that would shape the company’s future.

By the 1960s, McKibbon was one of Georgia's earliest Holiday Inn franchisees, expanding hotel development across the state. Over the following decades, the company continued to grow, adding brands such as Days Inn while building a reputation for strong partnerships and thoughtful expansion throughout the Southeast. In the 1990s, McKibbon entered a new phase of growth, becoming one of the first companies in the country selected to franchise with Marriott International. The company continued expanding its presence across the Southeast with Courtyard, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites by Marriott properties, strengthening relationships with major hospitality brands and ownership partners.

Our Present

Today, McKibbon Hospitality manages a portfolio of nearly 100 hotels and restaurants across dozens of markets nationwide. The company works across leading brands including Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, and Kimpton while partnering with ownership groups who trust McKibbon to deliver performance, operational excellence, and memorable guest experiences. Alongside hotel management, the McKibbon family of companies has grown to include development, construction and renovation management, acquisitions and investments, and asset management businesses — each supporting the broader hospitality platform and strengthening the company’s ability to serve partners and communities alike.

Our Future

Looking ahead, McKibbon’s next chapter is focused on thoughtful, meaningful growth. Through McKibbon Equities, the company continues to pursue new development and acquisition opportunities while expanding its asset management capabilities. Recent projects such as Hyatt House Tampa Orlando Airport and Moxy Asheville Downtown reflect a continued commitment to innovation and forward-thinking hospitality.

At the same time, the company remains deeply invested in the people who make that growth possible. Leadership development, internal promotions, and strong partnerships with hospitality programs are helping cultivate the next generation of McKibbon leaders.

A century after the first grocery store opened its doors in Gainesville, the spirit that launched the company still guides it forward: serve people well, invest in relationships, and keep building something worth passing on.

A Legacy Built on People

Over the past 100 years, the hospitality industry has evolved in ways our founders could never have imagined. Technology has transformed travel. Cities have grown. Guest expectations have shifted. Entire business models have changed.

But the heart of hospitality has not.

From the beginning, McKibbon has believed that great service starts with people. It’s found in the associates who welcome guests, support one another, and take pride in the work they do every day. It’s reflected in leaders who mentor the next generation and teams who treat every challenge as an opportunity to improve.

Over the decades, McKibbon has navigated economic downturns, industry disruption, and even a global pandemic. Each time, the company has emerged stronger — not because of buildings or brands, but because of the character, resilience, and commitment of the people behind them.

Along the way, we’ve learned that culture is not created in boardrooms. It’s built in the everyday moments — in hotel lobbies, team meetings, and quiet acts of service that often go unseen.