Marriott vs PepsiCo: Founders, CEOs and History
Marriott was founded in 1927 by J. Willard Marriott, Alice Sheets Marriott and is led by Anthony Capuano. PepsiCo was founded in 1965 by Caleb Bradham, Donald M. Kendall, Herman W. Lay and is led by Ramon Laguarta.
Company facts
Founders
Marriott
J. Willard Marriott
Marriott possesses a humble, American founding story, rooted not in glamorous luxury real estate, but in the grueling, hot summers of Washington D.C. and a religious commitment to hospitality. The company was founded in 1927 in Washington D.C. by J.
Alice Sheets Marriott
Alice Sheets Marriott was an essential partner in building the foundation of what became Marriott International.
PepsiCo
Caleb Bradham
Caleb Bradham created "Brad's Drink" at his New Bern pharmacy in 1898, renamed it Pepsi-Cola and incorporated the Pepsi-Cola Company in 1902.
Donald M. Kendall
Donald M. Kendall led Pepsi-Cola and engineered its 1965 merger with Frito-Lay to form PepsiCo, which he ran as CEO until 1986.
Herman W. Lay
Herman W. Lay (1909-1982) started his career as a snack food salesman. In 1932, he opened a snack food operation in Nashville, Tennessee, eventually purchasing the manufacturer and renaming it H.W. Lay & Company.
CEOs and their tenures
Marriott
- J. W. Marriott Jr.1972–2012
Chief Executive Officer
During his 60-year tenure, he grew the company from a regional restaurant and lodging business into a global hospitality empire before retiring as Executive Chairman in 2022.
Source - Arne Sorenson2012–2021
Chief Executive Officer
He successfully integrated the massive Bonvoy loyalty program and navigated the immediate devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic before his death in 2021.
Source - Anthony Capuano2021–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
President and CEO since February 2021. Capuano joined Marriott in 1995 and led global development before becoming CEO, steering the company through the pandemic recovery, the 2023 City Express brand acquisition, midscale brand launches and record pipeline grow…
Source - David Marriott2023–present
Chairman of the Board
He oversees the board's strategic expansion into luxury all-inclusive resorts and short-term apartment rentals to combat Airbnb.
Source - Jen Mason2026–present
Chief Financial Officer
Became CFO after Leeny Oberg retired effective March 31, 2026.
Source
PepsiCo
- D. Wayne Calloway1986–1996
Chief Executive Officer
He more than doubled PepsiCo's revenues during his tenure and heavily invested in the restaurant division before it was later spun off.
Source - Roger Enrico1996–2001
Chief Executive Officer
He dramatically simplified the company's structure, allowing it to focus resources on its core grocery and convenience store distribution networks.
Source - Steven Reinemund2001–2006
Chief Executive Officer
He oversaw significant international expansion and revenue growth, setting a strong operational foundation before handing leadership to Nooyi.
Source - Indra Nooyi2006–2018
Chief Executive Officer
Under her 12-year tenure as CEO, PepsiCo's revenue grew by more than 80%, and she fundamentally reshaped the company's identity from a junk-food purveyor to a diversified global food and beverage giant.
Source - Ramon Laguarta2018–present
Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer
He sustained strong organic revenue growth and protected operating margins through historically challenging supply chain conditions, while committing the company to major sustainability and packaging reduction goals.
Source
Timeline: Marriott and PepsiCo side by side
1898PepsiCo
Pepsi-Cola Invented in North Carolina
Caleb Bradham formulated the original digestive cola syrup in his drugstore.
1927Marriott
The Root Beer Stand That Started It All
J. Willard and Alice Marriott open an A&W Root Beer franchise on 14th Street NW in Washington, D.C. On May 20, 1927 the same day Charles Lindbergh completes the first solo transatlantic flight.
1937Marriott
Airline Catering Pioneer
Marriott signs one of the country's first airline catering contracts with Eastern Air Lines, establishing commissary kitchens near airports to prepare in-flight meals.
1953Marriott
Hot Shoppes Goes Public
Hot Shoppes, Inc. sold shares to the public for the first time, giving the family restaurant chain capital for expansion.
1957Marriott
First Hotel Opens in Arlington, Virginia
Marriott opened the Twin Bridges Motor Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, its first hotel and the start of the lodging business that would later define the company.
1965PepsiCo
Historic Merger of Pepsi-Cola & Frito-Lay
Donald Kendall and Herman Lay created PepsiCo, uniting snacks and soft drinks.
1967Marriott
Company Renames as Marriott Corporation
Hot Shoppes, Inc. Renames itself Marriott Corporation to reflect the growing importance of the lodging division relative to the restaurant business.
1972Marriott
J.W. Marriott Jr. Becomes CEO
Bill Marriott, son of the founders, became CEO and led the company for four decades, building the multi-brand portfolio and the franchising and management model.
1975PepsiCo
Launch of the Pepsi Challenge
National blind taste tests shook Coca-Cola's market dominance and redefined advertising.
1993Marriott
Historic Split Creates the Asset-Light Model
Marriott Corporation undergoes one of the most consequential restructurings in American corporate history, splitting into two independent companies: Host Marriott Corporation (which retains the physical hotel real estate and debt) and Marriott International (w…
1997Marriott
Renaissance Hotels Acquisition
Marriott acquires Renaissance Hotel Group for approximately $1 billion, adding the Renaissance Hotels, Ramada International, and New World hotel brands to its portfolio.
1997PepsiCo
Restaurant Business Spun Off
PepsiCo spun off its restaurant businesses (Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC) as Tricon Global Restaurants, now Yum! Brands, in 1997.
1998PepsiCo
Acquisition of Tropicana ($3.3B)
Acquired chilled orange juice leader Tropicana to dominate morning beverages.
2001PepsiCo
Acquisition of Quaker Oats & Gatorade ($13.4B)
Acquired Quaker Oats, adding sports hydration pioneer Gatorade to the portfolio.
2006PepsiCo
Indra Nooyi becomes CEO
Indra Nooyi became CEO of PepsiCo in 2006. Chief executive of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018.
2011PepsiCo
Wimm-Bill-Dann Acquired
PepsiCo completed its acquisition of the Russian dairy and juice company Wimm-Bill-Dann in 2011.
2016Marriott
Landmark Starwood Acquisition
Marriott completes its $13.6 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide the largest hotel merger in history adding 11 brands (including Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, St.
2018Marriott
Catastrophic Starwood Data Breach
Marriott discloses that the Starwood guest reservation database acquired in the 2016 merger had been compromised since 2014, exposing the personal data of up to 500 million guests including passport numbers, payment card details, and travel itineraries.
2018PepsiCo
Acquisition of SodaStream ($3.2B) & Ramon Laguarta Appointed CEO
Acquired SodaStream to pioneer eco-friendly dispensing; Ramon Laguarta took over as CEO.
2019Marriott
Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Launches
Marriott consolidates the Marriott Rewards, Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest programs into the unified Marriott Bonvoy platform, creating one of the world's largest travel loyalty ecosystems.
2021Marriott
Anthony Capuano Named CEO
Anthony Capuano became CEO in February 2021, succeeding Arne Sorenson, who died of pancreatic cancer. Capuano, a Marriott veteran since 1995 who previously led global development, took over during the pandemic travel collapse.
2022PepsiCo
Strategic Distribution Alliance with Celsius ($550M)
Secured master global distribution for fast-growing energy brand Celsius.
2025Marriott
FY2025 Revenue of $26.186 Billion
Marriott reported $26.186 billion in revenue and $2.601 billion in net income, grew net rooms over 4.3% and returned more than $4.0 billion to shareholders.
2025PepsiCo
poppi Acquisition and Elliott-Backed Plan
Closed the $1.95 billion poppi deal and announced a North America cost and pricing reset in December.
2026Marriott
Jennifer Mason Becomes CFO
Jennifer C. Mason became Marriott's Chief Financial Officer after Leeny Oberg retired effective March 31, 2026.
2026Marriott
Marriott Passes 10,000 Properties
Marriott opened the JW Marriott Ranthambore Resort & Spa in India in June 2026, marking its 10,000th property worldwide.
2026PepsiCo
Price Cuts on Core Snacks
Lowered prices on major Frito-Lay brands by up to 15% to recover US volumes.
Acquisitions
Marriott
- City Express Hotels (Hoteles City Express)2023$100M
- Elegant Hotels Group2019Undisclosed
- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide2016$13.6B
- Renaissance Hotel Group1997$1B
- Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company1995$200M
PepsiCo
- poppi2025$1.9B
- SodaStream International2018$3.2B
- The Quaker Oats Company (including Gatorade)2001$13.4B
- Tropicana Products1998$3.3B
Questions about Marriott vs PepsiCo
Who is the CEO of Marriott International and PepsiCo, Inc.?
Marriott International is led by Anthony Capuano and PepsiCo, Inc. is led by Ramon Laguarta. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Marriott International founded vs PepsiCo, Inc.?
Marriott International was founded in 1927 — 38 years before PepsiCo, Inc., which was founded in 1965. Marriott International's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger PepsiCo, Inc..
How many employees does Marriott International have compared to PepsiCo, Inc.?
Marriott International employs approximately 148,000 people, while PepsiCo, Inc. employs approximately 306,000. PepsiCo, Inc. has the larger workforce at 306,000 employees, compared to Marriott International's 148,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Marriott International and PepsiCo, Inc. headquartered?
Both Marriott International and PepsiCo, Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Marriott International and PepsiCo, Inc.?
Marriott International was founded by J. Willard Marriott, Alice Sheets Marriott. PepsiCo, Inc. was founded by Caleb Bradham, Donald M. Kendall, Herman W. Lay.
Which company has a longer operating history — Marriott International or PepsiCo, Inc.?
Marriott International has been operating for approximately 99 years, making it the more established of the two companies. PepsiCo, Inc. has been in operation for around 61 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Marriott vs PepsiCo overview