Visionary – Nachhattar Singh Chandi

President, Chandi Group U.S.A.

Site Staff Vision

Photo by Ethan Kaminsky

 

Nachhattar Singh Chandi came to the Coachella Valley from India 22 years ago and has since grown his company — Chandi Group U.S.A. — into 17 ARCO–AM/PM gas stations and convenience stores, three Del Taco restaurants, six car washes, and a development in Indio.
 
“My company is a driver, and we continue to invest in the community,” he says.

Chandi credits the Coachella Valley Enterprise Zone with giving him a jump-start. “And the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership is a great tool for bringing in business to the valley,” he adds.

“I started with a Del Taco and added a Subway. Now I’ve got a number of other franchises. We recently came up with one called Dairy Cream Grill & Chill. That first restaurant will be opening by the end of this year in Cathedral City.”

His firm is also planning a 120-room hotel at its $200 million Northgate Crossing, an 80-acre mixed-use walkable community development in Indio utilizing “smart growth” concepts. Chandi envisions a tenant mix that includes retail shops, a grocery store, restaurants, daycare, a fitness/health center, surgical center with medical offices, and hotel with conference facilities. The development will feature multi- and single-family housing with landscaped walkway promenades to instill a sense of community. Phase I included an ARCO–AM/PM and Express Carwash, which opened last fall.  

In addition, “we have a 12-acre commercial property in Visalia under development,” Chandi says. “We employ more than 300 [people] and we have a manager in every single site. It’s very easy to find staff in the Coachella Valley.” He says that the company has had minimal turnover, with several 17-year employees.

“This is the best place to do business. We have great schools, good hospitals, and good transportation. We have all kinds of resources with the cities from Palm Springs all the way to Mecca. It’s a great place to grow. I can talk all day long about this valley. It’s a great success.”