About Us

About MMI

pageHdr_corp_ourHistory

On May 19th, 1956, MMI opened its first property — a Holiday Inn in Meridian, Mississippi. It may seem like an humble beginning, but this was just the first step down a long and successful road for Mike Sturdivant, his uncle, J.C. Wilbourne, and his old Harvard Business School roommate, Earle Jones. Looking back on our history, it seems fitting that MMI started by bringing together family and old friends.

Even then, MMI was a visionary company. Holiday Inn was a very young chain, but Mike saw the potential for something huge. The industry has changed a lot since then, but some things have stayed the same. MMI is still a leader and innovator in the industry and we still believe in good old-fashioned Southern hospitality.

Today, MMI has grown into two distinct, yet fully interdependent and complementing divisions; MMI Hotel Group and MMI Dining Systems. Together, the two divisions own, manage or serve over 100 locations in the Southeastern U.S. We’re happy to know that every day tens of thousands of guests can experience the same comfort, satisfaction, and personal service that all started in one small hotel in Meridian, Mississippi.