The first Extended Stay America hotels opened in 1995 by a number of founders including management from Blockbuster Video and AutoNation. In 1996, Extended Stay America acquired StudioPLUS, further continuing its growth. During this time, the company also acquired Crossland Economy Studios. By August 2001, the company was added to S&P 400 as it quickly became the third largest owned and operated hotel company in the world and one of the faster-growing hotel chains in US history.