I’ve tried to research it but I still cannot comprehend this company. I get they make and sell tires, but where did the Michelin guide come from? Why are Michelin stars such a huge deal? Why do restaurants & hotels want to get stars & put on this list that was created by a tire company? No matter how much I look into it I cannot understand how this side of a tire company came to be.
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They started as a tyre company in France, but at the time (1900) there were fewer than 3000 cars in the whole country.
To encourage demand for cars (and hence tyres), they made a guidebook about all the good restaurants around the country that people could drive to.
More driving = more cars and tyres sold = more business for Michelin.
Others have explained about there being few cars about and Michelin.
The guide was an idea to get people out and about, but also encouraging longer drives. And hopefully encouraging others to get cars if their friends are managing to get to such niece unknown places
At the time of first producing the guide they had the 3 star system but it was not for high end restaurants. They based it on if you are out for a drive or in your way somewhere where to go to eat
1 star: good restaurant if you are passing by
2 star: worth a small detour on you way
3 stars: worth making a large detour from your route to try
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