Said the taco to the chicken,
"Since we look so good together, I would surely like to know, where do you think we should
go?" Said the chicken to the taco, "Here we are in Walsenburg, this country is beautiful
and everyone is so friendly to us, we'll be happy here!"
There's a buzz throughout the whole community! Kentucky Fried Chicken and
Taco Bell are here! Nothing does a community more good than when something new pops up.
Hopes are raised, hearts are lifted with pride, and expectations are heightened. But
it did not happen overnight. It all began in the hearts of a young couple coming to the
United States from England in 1989. With no money in their pockets, no one to help them,
and with very little education, Raj Patel and his wife, Nilesha, knew that if a person
was willing to work hard, you can make it in America, with the help of God and family.
Raj says, "There is nothing you can’t achieve in this country. No matter what you want
to do, you can do it!"
The Patels' business ventures began by purchasing a run-down convenience store in Florida.
Raj, his wife, and mother, who helped with their two small boys, fixed the place up by
working from 5 a.m. to midnight every day. As the business began to prosper, more improvements
were made and from this humble beginning, a number of other businesses were started.
Raj was also instrumental in bringing six of his friends and family members over from
England, and all are doing well. The Knight's Inn west of Walsenburg was purchased with
his business partners. However, the KFC/Taco Bell concept began in 2007 after he purchased
the Best Western motel. Later, after much effort and research, Raj decided to merge two
popular franchise restaurants - KFC and Taco Bell. The whole project was prepared, supervised
and financed by Raj Patel with help from family members and partner, Kal Patel. Currently,
five family members are involved in the business operations. Nothing great can be accomplished
without adversity, and there were many with this project. Raj is thankful to local government
officials, and other business professionals who cooperated, encouraged, and provided
support for the project's success.
Kentucky Fried Chicken and Taco Bell, together,
offer a diversified menu to satisfy a wide variety of tastes. Working with each of the
franchises, a floor plan and business concept was developed. Then, after the Patels spent
four months in training with each franchise, they could not open unless they had 40 trained
people ready to go. Thus many family members, including his wife and two sons pitched
in along with some local employees to put together the starting staff. At least twelve
very good employees will be moving up in the business, and Raj is looking forward to
hiring and training others willing to achieve excellence. As for the future, Raj is very
optimistic and sees the potential for growth in the area over the next five years. He’s
already looking into some other business opportunities.
"A man is the sum of his actions, of what he has done, of what he can do. Nothing else."
- Mohandas K. Gandhi
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KFC/Taco Bell
457A U.S. Hwy. 85/87
Walsenburg, CO 81089
(719) 738-2480
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