Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — Twenty-four years ago, Pablo Ayar walked into a new restaurant preparing to open in McAllen and applied for a job as a server. Today, at 52, he is a regional manager for Lin’s Grand Buffet, helping oversee a company whose growth he has experienced from the inside.
For Ayar, the story is especially meaningful because he is from the Rio Grande Valley and remembers the anticipation surrounding the original Lin’s.
“You would drive by and see this huge building going up and wonder, ‘What is this going to be?’” he recalled. “When I came in to apply, a lot of people were waiting.”
The restaurant quickly attracted customers. Ayar remembers lines wrapping around the building and lunch priced at $5.99 and dinner at $7.99.
“People were excited to come to Lin’s,” he said.
His advancement did not happen overnight. Ayar began learning positions beyond serving, gaining experience in the kitchen, front-of-house operations, and management.
“I didn’t just want to know how to be a server,” he said. “I wanted to understand the kitchen, the front of the house, management, and how the entire restaurant operated.”
That willingness to learn eventually took him into management. Over the years, Ayar helped open four Lin’s locations in Texas and one in California. He also worked with Hayashi, a sister brand.
Expansion taught him that every restaurant and team is different.
“You have to be flexible and willing to adapt,” Ayar said. “Lin’s has grown a lot, but we’ve kept that family feeling.”
His leadership philosophy is equally straightforward.
“Treat people right, listen to them, and be fair,” he said. “You have to lead by example. You work alongside your team and help wherever you’re needed.”
Now, Lin’s is expanding again in the city where the company originated. Its second McAllen location is at 4201 W. Expressway 83, and the expansion is expected to create nearly 100 jobs.
“After 24 years, opening a second location in the city where Lin’s started is very special to me,” Ayar said.
Lin’s is still hiring and accepting applications as it builds its McAllen team. Current employment postings include kitchen and culinary positions, and Ayar sees those jobs as potential starting points for people who want to build careers in the restaurant industry.
“They can grow as far as they want to go,” he said. “I started as a server and became a regional manager, so I’ve seen it firsthand.”
When hiring, Ayar said he looks for dependability, hard work, a willingness to learn and a positive attitude. Previous restaurant experience is not always necessary.
“We can teach you the job,” he said. “I started with just a high school education, but Lin’s gave me the opportunity to learn, grow, and become a regional manager. I want to give others that same opportunity.”
Looking back on 24 years with Lin’s, Ayar said his greatest satisfaction comes from how far he has come since that first server position.
“I’m really proud of how far I’ve come,” he said. “For me, it never really felt like just a job. I enjoy helping the team, and today I can walk into any Lin’s and know I matter.”
