Marriott International, Inc., a hospitality company, operates and franchises hotels and related lodging facilities worldwide. It develops, operates, and franchises hotels and corporate housing properties under 15 brand names. The company also develops, operates, markets, and sells timeshare interval, fractional ownership, and residential properties under four brand names. As of December 28, 2007, Marriott International operated or franchised 2,999 lodging properties with 535,093 rooms, and provided 2,156 furnished corporate housing rental units. In addition, the company provides services to home/condominium owner associations for projects associated with its brands. Marriott was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.