Hilton Worldwide Holdings
American multinational hospitality company operating over 7,000 properties worldwide, one of the largest hotel chains globally with brands ranging from luxury to economy segments.
Company Type
public
Founded
1919
Headquarters
McLean, Virginia, USA
Stock
New York Stock Exchange: HLT
About Hilton Worldwide Holdings
What does Hilton Worldwide own?
Hilton Worldwide operates 22 hotel brands including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton by Hilton, Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Tru by Hilton, and others. The company operates approximately 7,800 properties in more than 126 countries. Most properties are franchised, meaning they are owned by independent hotel owners who pay Hilton to operate under its brands.
Hilton Worldwide operates 22 hotel brands including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton by Hilton, Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Tru by Hilton, and others. The company operates approximately 7,800 properties in more than 126 countries. Most properties are franchised, meaning they are owned by independent hotel owners who pay Hilton to operate under its brands.
Is Hilton publicly traded?
Yes, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol HLT. The company went public in December 2013 after being taken private by Blackstone Group in 2007. There is no controlling shareholder, with ownership distributed among institutional investors.
Yes, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol HLT. The company went public in December 2013 after being taken private by Blackstone Group in 2007. There is no controlling shareholder, with ownership distributed among institutional investors.
What is Hilton's annual revenue?
In FY2024, Hilton reported record full-year results. The company's revenue is primarily generated through franchise fees and management fees rather than hotel room revenue, reflecting its asset-light business model. Full-year 2024 net income was projected to be approximately $1.4-1.7 billion based on guidance.
In FY2024, Hilton reported record full-year results. The company's revenue is primarily generated through franchise fees and management fees rather than hotel room revenue, reflecting its asset-light business model. Full-year 2024 net income was projected to be approximately $1.4-1.7 billion based on guidance.
Who founded Hilton?
Hilton was founded by Conrad Hilton, who purchased his first hotel, the Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas, in 1919 for $40,000. Conrad Hilton built the company into one of the world's largest hotel chains over the following decades, acquiring iconic properties including the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
Hilton was founded by Conrad Hilton, who purchased his first hotel, the Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas, in 1919 for $40,000. Conrad Hilton built the company into one of the world's largest hotel chains over the following decades, acquiring iconic properties including the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
What is Hilton Honors?
Hilton Honors is Hilton's loyalty program, with more than 200 million members. Members earn points for stays at Hilton properties and can redeem them for free nights, room upgrades, and other rewards. The program also includes co-branded credit cards with American Express and other partners.
Hilton Honors is Hilton's loyalty program, with more than 200 million members. Members earn points for stays at Hilton properties and can redeem them for free nights, room upgrades, and other rewards. The program also includes co-branded credit cards with American Express and other partners.
How many hotels does Hilton have?
As of late 2024, Hilton operated approximately 7,800 properties across 22 brands in more than 126 countries and territories, with approximately 1.2 million rooms. The company's development pipeline includes approximately 3,700 additional hotels under development.
As of late 2024, Hilton operated approximately 7,800 properties across 22 brands in more than 126 countries and territories, with approximately 1.2 million rooms. The company's development pipeline includes approximately 3,700 additional hotels under development.
History of Hilton Worldwide Holdings
Hilton Worldwide traces its origins to 1919 when Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel, the Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas, for $40,000. Hilton had originally traveled to Cisco to buy a bank, but when the bank deal fell through, he purchased the hotel instead. The Mobley was profitable from the start, and Hilton quickly acquired additional hotels in Texas.
Conrad Hilton expanded aggressively through the 1920s, acquiring hotels across Texas and other states. The Great Depression severely tested the company, and Hilton lost control of several hotels during the early 1930s. However, he regained his footing and continued expanding, acquiring the Town House in Los Angeles in 1942 and the Plaza Hotel in New York in 1943.
A major milestone came in 1946 when Hilton Hotels Corporation became the first hotel company to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1949, Conrad Hilton acquired the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, one of the world's most famous hotels, for $3 million. The acquisition of the Waldorf-Astoria established Hilton as a luxury hospitality brand.
Hilton expanded internationally in 1949, establishing Hilton International as a separate company to operate hotels outside the United States. Hilton International was eventually sold to Trans World Airlines (TWA) in 1967 and later to UAL Corporation before being reacquired by Hilton Hotels Corporation in 2006, reuniting the domestic and international operations under one company for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Conrad Hilton died in 1979, leaving the company to continue under professional management. His son Barron Hilton served as CEO from 1966 to 1996. The company continued to grow through acquisitions, including the purchase of the Statler Hotels chain in 1954 and the acquisition of Promus Hotel Corporation (owner of Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, and Homewood Suites) in 1999 for approximately $4 billion.
In 2007, Hilton Hotels Corporation was taken private by Blackstone Group in a leveraged buyout for approximately $26 billion, one of the largest private equity transactions in history. Under Blackstone's ownership, Hilton underwent significant operational improvements and brand portfolio expansion. Christopher Nassetta became CEO in 2007 and led the company's transformation.
Hilton returned to public markets in December 2013 in one of the largest hotel IPOs in history, raising approximately $2.35 billion. Blackstone gradually sold its stake over the following years, fully exiting by 2018.
In 2017, Hilton completed the spin-off of two separate companies: Park Hotels & Resorts (a REIT owning Hilton's owned and leased hotels) and Hilton Grand Vacations (the timeshare business). The spin-offs allowed Hilton to focus on its asset-light franchise and management model.
In FY2024, Hilton reported record full-year results with approximately 590 hotels added to its system, bringing the total to approximately 7,800 properties across 22 brands.
Brands Owned by Hilton Worldwide Holdings
Hilton Worldwide Holdings owns 2 brands in our database.
Hampton by Hilton
Owned by Hilton Worldwide Holdings
Mid-range hotel brand owned by Hilton Worldwide, operating over 2,500 properties worldwide, known for reliable service and comfortable accommodations at affordable prices.
mid-range-hotelsaffordable-accommodationsreliable-service
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Owned by Hilton Worldwide Holdings
Ultra-luxury hotel brand owned by Hilton Worldwide, operating over 30 properties worldwide, known for exceptional service quality and iconic luxury hospitality experiences.
ultra-luxury-hotelsiconic-destinationsexceptional-service
Stock Information
Hilton Worldwide Holdings Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +FY2024 record results with approximately 590 net new hotels added, bringing the system to approximately 7,800 properties
- +Asset-light franchise model generates high-margin, recurring fee revenue with minimal capital requirements
- +22-brand portfolio covers all hospitality segments from economy to ultra-luxury
- +Hilton Honors loyalty program with 200+ million members drives direct bookings and reduces OTA dependence
- +Development pipeline of approximately 3,700 hotels provides strong visibility into future system growth
Considerations
- -Travel demand is cyclical and sensitive to economic conditions, geopolitical events, and public health crises
- -Competition from Marriott International, which has a larger system and loyalty program
- -Franchise model limits direct control over hotel quality and labor practices at franchised properties
- -Rising construction costs and financing challenges can slow pipeline conversion to open hotels
- -Short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) compete for leisure travelers in some markets
Frequently Asked Questions About Hilton Worldwide Holdings
What does Hilton Worldwide own?
Hilton Worldwide operates 22 hotel brands including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton by Hilton, Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Tru by Hilton, and others. The company operates approximately 7,800 properties in more than 126 countries. Most properties are franchised, meaning they are owned by independent hotel owners who pay Hilton to operate under its brands.
Is Hilton publicly traded?
Yes, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol HLT. The company went public in December 2013 after being taken private by Blackstone Group in 2007. There is no controlling shareholder, with ownership distributed among institutional investors.
What is Hilton's annual revenue?
In FY2024, Hilton reported record full-year results. The company's revenue is primarily generated through franchise fees and management fees rather than hotel room revenue, reflecting its asset-light business model. Full-year 2024 net income was projected to be approximately $1.4-1.7 billion based on guidance.
Who founded Hilton?
Hilton was founded by Conrad Hilton, who purchased his first hotel, the Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas, in 1919 for $40,000. Conrad Hilton built the company into one of the world's largest hotel chains over the following decades, acquiring iconic properties including the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
What is Hilton Honors?
Hilton Honors is Hilton's loyalty program, with more than 200 million members. Members earn points for stays at Hilton properties and can redeem them for free nights, room upgrades, and other rewards. The program also includes co-branded credit cards with American Express and other partners.
How many hotels does Hilton have?
As of late 2024, Hilton operated approximately 7,800 properties across 22 brands in more than 126 countries and territories, with approximately 1.2 million rooms. The company's development pipeline includes approximately 3,700 additional hotels under development.
Jobs at Hilton Worldwide Holdings
Latest News About Hilton Worldwide Holdings
Related Articles About Hilton Worldwide Holdings
View more articles
News & Updates
Monthly M&A Roundup: February 2026 Brand Ownership Changes
From Keurig Dr Pepper's planned split to the Netflix-WBD saga, here is every major brand ownership change and deal in February 2026.
Who Brands StaffFeb 12, 2026
m-and-a-roundupacquisitionsnews
Industry Analysis
The Most Acquired Categories: Tech vs CPG vs Pharma
Which industries see the most brand acquisitions? We compared technology, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals to find out where the most M&A activity happens and why.
Who Brands StaffFeb 11, 2026
acquisitionsindustry-analysistechnology
Consumer Education
The Truth About 'Made in America' Brand Claims
Many brands market themselves as American-made. But what does that actually mean when the parent company is foreign, the parts come from overseas, and 'assembled in USA' is not the same as 'made in USA'?
Who Brands StaffFeb 11, 2026
made-in-americaconsumer-educationbrand-claims