Margie Murphy wasn’t looking for a job—she had already retired from the restaurant world in 2002—but her deep ties to the Jacksonville, Florida, community led her to Grumpy’s. She hasn’t looked back since. The award-winning franchise has become more than just a workplace; for Murphy, it feels like home.
“There’s no place like Grumpy’s,” Murphy says. “I’ve raised my family here, I’ve met generations of customers and staff, I’ve celebrated all sorts of special occasions with our team, and managed a lot of long-time friendships. We’ve always been more than just a restaurant.”
Since 1999, Grumpy’s Restaurant has sought to bring dining back to its roots as a traditional Americana diner, becoming a beloved neighborhood spot with five locations. In an increasingly competitive full-service dining landscape, Grumpy’s has prioritized both employee satisfaction and the guest experience—not as extras, but as foundations for success.
Murphy’s story is a testament to those values, which emphasize work-life balance, real growth paths, and high retention rates fueled by the brand’s culture of belonging and family. She started as a server 23 years ago and worked her way up to manager, now holding the title “Queen of Grumpy’s,” given to her by a group of loyal customers.
“When I first started, we had maybe 10 employees total, and we’ve all had to learn to grow and lead through the changes,” Murphy says. “But the one thing that never changed is the heart of Grumpy’s. The trust I’ve built over the years with our community and management team is so special to me.”
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Two occasions stand out to Murphy as examples of the brand’s role as a cornerstone of Northeast Florida’s dining community: once during a hurricane, and another during the pandemic.
“We lost electricity, and trees had fallen all over,” Murphy says. “But the Orange Park customers came in and helped us clean tables, serve food, and get us back in order. Our commitment to the community was reciprocated tenfold.”
During COVID-19, Grumpy’s president and CEO Daniel DeLeon gave up his own salary to support employees through closures, maintaining a 100 percent retention rate throughout the pandemic. He instructed teams to set up produce stands in restaurants for customers and organized meal deliveries to the neighborhood.
After nearly three decades of dedicated service, Murphy will retire for good on December 31, 2025, embarking on a new chapter. Throughout her career with Grumpy’s, she says she’s proud to be the “Queen” and grateful for the opportunity to raise her family and provide for her child’s college education. She’s passing the torch to Courtney Smith and Angela “Angie” Brown, who have also grown with Grumpy’s.
Smith started as a server in 2018 and now serves as vice president of operations, guiding the growth of the franchise. From day one, she felt supported professionally and personally by DeLeon and his wife, Morgan, whom she served with for a while before rising through the ranks.
“We build from the bottom and try to expand from within. I wanted to do more for the company … and I had [the DeLeon’s] full support. We’re all here grinding together, leading by example,” Smith says. “They taught me the power of consistency and how to invest in others. Our team sees that, and it makes them want to stay with us and help us scale.”
For the small but steadily growing franchise, Smith has mastered the art of balancing business growth with preserving the family feel that makes Grumpy’s unique. As an operations leader, she encourages a hands-on approach to leadership, creating an open-door communication policy for employees.
“We want everyone to feel connected and valued, no matter how big we become. Whether it’s business or personal, we’re always available,” Smith says. “We’re keeping our minds open to different ideas and contributions. Our stories show the team that they can pursue leadership in this industry.”
Like Smith, Brown also joined the Grumpy’s family in 2018 as a host. Smith, Murphy, and the rest of the team have been with her through each milestone in her personal life, celebrating the wins and working through challenges together.
“I was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years before starting here, and I was able to get a solid foundation in hospitality as a host before being encouraged to take on new responsibilities and leadership roles. Each step gave me a chance to grow my skills and confidence,” Brown says. “This kind of environment is rare, and it makes coming to work every day meaningful and fulfilling.”
Now, as assistant general manager of the Orange Park location, Brown enjoys mentoring her team, paying it forward, and helping others reach their own goals. She says she enjoys knowing she can have a positive impact—not just on the guest experience, but also in the careers and lives of the people she works alongside.
“The secret is starting from a place of genuine care, from remembering names and favorite orders to asking about life updates and milestones,” Brown says. “Our regulars don’t just come for the food. They come here for the relationships and consistency. We know how to command a kitchen and inspire a team, creating a safe, high-performing environment. It’s the hallmark of Grumpy’s success.”
For the seventh consecutive year, Grumpy’s has been named “Best Restaurant Overall” in the 2025 Best of Bold City Community’s Choice Awards, presented by The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville.com. The brand took home five coveted titles, ranging from “Best Breakfast” to “Best Locally Owned Business,” proving that when you invest in people, the rest takes care of itself. Even as it continues to seek franchise partners across Florida and Georgia, its small-town diner feel remains.
“The three of us [Murphy, Smith, Brown] have very different life paths, but we all started from the bottom and proved that no matter what you do, as long as you stay focused and true to yourself, you can succeed,” Murphy says. “Through the years, we’ve cried together, we’ve laughed together, and created a family in these four walls. And that’s what keeps us at Grumpy’s.”
