When Kanji Manchhu Desai leased a hotel in California during World War II, he created a pathway that thousands of Gujarati immigrants would later follow. What began as a single lodging business evolved into one of the most remarkable concentrations of immigrant ownership in American history. As per NPR reporting, Indian immigrants and their children own roughly half of the motels in the country. The “Patel Motel” phenomenon transformed the hospitality industry, proving that newcomers with limited resources could acquire, operate, and expand businesses nationwide while creating wealth across generations.
