Tampa hotel company mirrors larger Marriott in experience, values

With its roots in hospitality beginning outside of hotels, familial ownership, a business model and culture that embeds service, Tampa-based McKibbon Hospitality shares many traits and experiences with another well-known lodging operator: Marriott.

Like Marriott International Inc., McKibbon traces its corporate roots back to the 1920s, when it entered the hotel business through an unlikely channel. In Marriott’s case, it was an A&W root beer stand that evolved into a chain of restaurants.