Mafat Patel, co-founder of Patel Brothers, hails from Bhandu village in the Mehsana district of Gujarat, India. In 1968, he relocated to the USA, pursuing education in Mechanical Engineering before obtaining an MBA from Indiana University. Amidst his journey, Mafat began to miss the familiar flavors and ingredients of his homeland, such as Khichadi, Turmeric, and Rice Flour. Recognizing this shared sentiment among Indian immigrants in his Chicago community, he identified an unmet need for authentic Indian food and ingredients.
As Mafat pondered the concept of a grocery store catering to the needs of his fellow Indian community members, the vision began to crystallize in his mind. Recognizing the challenges of launching and managing such an endeavor, he reached out to his brother Tulsi, who was still residing in India, to join him in this venture.
