There are many businesses that have been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. As of 2009 there were 21,666 companies that have existed for over 100 years and 3,146 firms founded over 200 years ago in Japan, 837 in Germany, 222 in the Netherlands and 196 in France. There are also 7 companies in Japan that have been around for over 1,000 years. The majority, more than 80 percent, of companies that have been around for 100 years or more are businesses that employ less than 300 people.

The oldest business, and hotel, in the world is the Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan. It is a hot spring hotel located in Hayakawa, Japan. The hotel was found in 705 and is featured in the Guinness World Records.

The second, third and fourth oldest businesses are also located in Japan, two of them are hotels as well and one makes paper bags. They have all been around since the 700s as well. Several other Japanese hotels make the list as well.

Austria’s first entry on the list, coming in at number five, is Stiftskeller St. Peter, a restaurant located within the monastery walls of St. Peter’s Archabbey, Salzburg. Stiftskeller St. Peter was founded in 803 and is known for being the oldest continuously operating restaurant and inn on the Earth.

The Royal Mint is the oldest operation in the UK. The Royal Mint, which was founded in 886, mints and exports coins to a variety of other countries, and produces military medals, commemorative medals and other items for governments, schools and businesses.

The Château de Goulaine is a winery of the Loire Valley located near Nantes, France. It has been in operation since the year 1000 and is the oldest known wine business still in existence.

Italy’s oldest business, also founded in 1000, is Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli. It is a bell foundry and also produces bronze portals, bas-reliefs, church artifacts, and bell restorations.

The oldest brewery still in operation in the world is the Weihenstephan Abbey located in Freising district of Bavaria, Germany. This brewery was founded in 1040. Before becoming a brewery the location served as a monastery and later a school.