Overview
The Michelin Group was founded by brothers André and Édouard Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, France, in 1889. It publishes the MICHELIN Guide and issues dining selections for the regions it covers[1].
Origins of the guide
The guide was first created to encourage motorists to travel. It offered maps and practical information such as how to change a tyre and where to buy fuel, as well as listings for places to eat and stay. Early editions were free. In 1920, the guide began to be sold; it added categorized lists of Paris hotels and restaurants and dropped paid advertising[1].
Restaurant assessment
As the restaurant section gained influence, the guide began sending anonymous inspectors to visit restaurants. It first awarded stars to fine-dining establishments in 1926, initially using a single star. A zero-to-three-star hierarchy followed in 1931, and the criteria were published in 1936[1].
According to the guide's official About Us page, it covers more than 30 territories across three continents, assesses over 30,000 establishments and has sold more than 30 million guides worldwide[1].