Van Noy Railway News and Hotel Company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Van Noy Railway News and Hotel Company, known today as HMSHost, was the original name and foundational business that engaged in providing products, services, and entertainment to customers on the go. Today, the Company is still the largest of its kind.
In 1893, four brothers from Kansas City, Missouri - Ira C., Charles S., Horace G., and Henry Clay VanNoy - formed a retail cigar and news business at No. 1076 Union Avenue, in Kansas City, Missouri. Four years later in 1897, they incorporated their business as the Van Noy Railway News and Hotel Company. Together, the brothers became known as the infamous Van Noy Brothers of Kansas City – very prominent members of past Kansas Citian society.
Shortly after its founding, the Company became a thriving railroad news, magazine, book, cigar, candy, and other products distributor along the railways of the United States. The Company’s distribution business was the largest in the country during the early 1900s. As their success continued, the Company also set up hotels and restaurants along the railroads, especially in close proximity to their many concession stands. One of the more famous hotels owned by the Company was the Beverly Hills Hotel, owned and operated by the Company between 1928 and 1932.
By 1910, the Van Noy Railway Hotel and News Company (also known as Van Noy Railroad News Company) controlled sales distribution along 32,000 miles of railroad. The Company also had 52 hotels and restaurants, 20 concession stores, and 21 distribution offices. The employee count at this time was about 1,600. Quickly, the Company became known as a symbol of corporate integrity and successful enterprise.
Starting on October 1, 1914, the Company began a series of mergers and acquisitions. In 1914, the Company merged with the Brown News Company. The new company, called the Van Noy Brown News Company, became the largest of its kind in the United States. In 1915, the Company merged again with the New York City based Interstate News Company. Headquarters for the Company, under the name of Van Noy Interstate Company and leadership of Ira C. Van Noy, stayed in Kansas City,. In 1922, the Company acquired the Gem Fountain Company. At this time, the Company owned distribution avenues that covered 90,000 miles of railroad (out of 250,000), and had accumulated a massive portfolio of concession stands, stores, restaurants, and hotels. Horizons were further broadened in 1954, when the Company was awarded its first airport contract at the San Francisco International Airport – a contract the Company still owns today.
Following the 1922 acquisition, the Van Noy Interstate Company’s name changed quite a few times. In 1926, the Company’s name was changed to The Interstate Company. In 1959, the name changed to Interstate HOSTS. By 1968, the name was changed to Host International. Finally, in 1982, the Marriott Corporation acquired the Company and all its assets.
In 1993, the Marriott Corporation divided its company into Marriott International and Host Marriott Corporation (which included the original Host International operations and assets). In 1996, the Host Marriott Corporation further divided its company into two separate entities: the Host Marriott Corporation consisted of the original Company’s real estate assets, and Host Marriott Services Corporation which continued the business of providing services, products, and entertainment to consumers on the go.
On March 22, 2002, Autogrill S.p.A. purchased the Host Marriott Services company. Through this acquisition, Autogrill gained Host Marriott Services’ mammoth holdings and business activities – including airport contracts with operations in 18 of the 20 largest airports in the United States. Other assets included one of the largest collections of franchises including Pizza Hut, Burger King, Sbarro, and Starbucks. Net profits for Autogrill doubled as a result.
With the acquisition the Company entered its operation into Europe. Ironically, the Company began expanding heavily into Europe’s successful railway systems – the original area of business the Company engaged in.
Today, the Company, humbly founded by four brothers from Kansas City as the Van Noy Railway News and Hotel Company, continues to be the largest of its kind and with remarkable success.
