Holiday Inn originated in Memphis, Tennessee, founded by entrepreneur Kemmons Wilson in 1952. The idea was born out of Wilson's frustration during a family road trip to Washington, D.C., where he found existing roadside motels to be inconsistent in quality and overpriced, especially with "hidden fees" for children. He envisioned a brand that offered reliability, cleanliness, and value, famously introducing the "Kids Stay Free" policy that revolutionized the industry. The first hotel was built on Summer Avenue in Memphis and was named after the 1942 Bing Crosby film Holiday Inn. Wilson’s vision was to create a "home away from home" where a traveler knew exactly what to expect regardless of the location. By 1958, there were 50 Holiday Inns across the country, and by the 1960s, it had become the largest hotel chain in the world. Today, the brand is owned by the British-based InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), but its roots remain firmly planted in the American "Great American Road Trip" culture of the mid-20th century.