Is there a "Patel Cartel" of ownership among gas and convenience stations?

Question

What I mean is: I have noticed an awful lot of gas stations and convenience stores are owned by people from India, where a common name is Patel, for example. And it seems as though these are not individual owners, but actually part of some sort of chain or franchise.

How is this structured, and how does it work?

Is there an "investment group" or corporate entity that owns or has a franchise on these stations, or is there some other business model?

Answer 1

I would attribute it more to foreigners being raised in poverty where hard work was required to keep ones family fed.  That hard-work ethic goes ZOOM in a place of opportunity like America.  Meanwhile born Americans can cover our needs with much less work, so we don't bother.  Seriously, you wouldn't want the working conditions Patel puts down to keep his business alive!

Answer 2

They are entrepreneurs.  They buy a franchise like everyone else.  Many have large families that can pool resources.