Jason Lea has worked in the food industry for the past 20 years, providing excellent customer service in a variety of ways.
Initially working in pizzerias in the early 2000s, Lea then decided to manage his own business as he opened a beverage catering service in 2012. After his customers started to demand that food be served, Lea decided to take his catering idea and merge it into a brick-and-mortar location – which is now known as Neighborhood Grill and Catering.
His first restaurant was opened in Clanton in 2014. As his businesses continued to grow more and more throughout the years, Lea knew that it was time to expand his services to other parts of Central Alabama. In February of 2021, he did just that as Neighborhood Grill found a home in Millbrook.
“It was doing really well so we knew that it was time it open somewhere else. We decided on Millbrook because it’s in a great location, and we believed that we could bring a type of food and atmosphere that wasn’t in that area yet,” Lea said.
The restaurant, which serves food ranging from BBQ sandwiches and fried fish, to wings and nachos, gives families an opportunity to come and enjoy a friendly, gameday atmosphere that would rival any of their corporate competitors, Lea said. Not only that, their menu features fresh ingredients that other similar restaurants just couldn’t match.
“We can fine tune what we do for the community. Instead of trying to be a general restaurant that works the same way that it does elsewhere, we can work for our community based on their needs,” Lea said. “We don’t sacrifice quality here. We make almost everything from scratch, so all of our products are fresh. Whenever you come in and order whatever you’re going to get, it’s going to be an item that was made fresh, hand-breaded or hand pattied. I really think that helps to set us apart.”
Lea ensured that everyone who walks through their front doors will be treated with the best and friendliest customer service in the River Region. That type of ownership is in his DNA.
“I’m a Christian and I try to implement Christian values. There’s the Golden Rule. You treat people the way that you want to be treated. I mean, we’re in the people business. We’re proud of our product and we want to have a good facility that people can come in and enjoy,” Lea said.
Lea believes that Millbrook is a great place to open a location, citing that his restaurant’s close proximity to the new 17 Springs Sport Complex will help to attract customers from all over the Southeast.
“Millbrook is certainly growing, and it seems to be one of the suburbs of Montgomery that is growing the fastest. I think, long-term, that going to be a great benefit to us,” Lea said.
Opportunities for his employees are very important to Lea as well.
“I have two great staffs with amazing managers. I want to expand and see the people who work for me have the opportunity to grow. If we just stay at the one size, then everyone is just stuck we’re they’re at,” Lea said.
Even though his restaurant has only been in the area for roughly six months, Lea said that the Millbrook community has welcomed his business with open arms.
“I had people from the city and chamber of commerce coming down here and talking to me before I even officially opened the place,” Lea laughed.
Lea explained Chamber Director Brenda Dennis has been instrumental in helping them get their name out to the public. Their guidance has helped them kickstart their business in a new community during a tumultuous time.
“It’s been a fantastic relationship so far with the chamber. They reach out to me all of the time, shooting me emails or giving me a call. That type of feedback really shows me that they care about us,” Lea said.
Lea said the chamber has done a great job of keeping business owners in contact with one another.
“I think as small business owners, we all need to trade with one another. Whenever possible, you should try to shop local,” Lea said. “Now that I’m involved with Millbrook, I’m trying to do as much local business with vendors as I can.”
If you’re wanting to follow Lea’s word and eat local, check out their menu at https://www.neighborhoodgrillandcatering.com/menu or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Neighborhood-Grill-Catering-Millbrook-101971071603900
If you would like your business featured please contact Brenda Dennis with the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce at 334-285-0085.
