Grumpy’s Daniel DeLeon Brings Home Influential CEO Award

Late last year, the brand earned six “Bold City Best” awards presented by The Florida Times-Union. Now, Grumpy’s President and CEO Daniel DeLeon is earning recognition as a mover and shaker in the industry, voted by Nation’s Restaurant News as one of the most influential restaurant CEOs in the country.

Daniel has owned and operated multiple franchise concepts in the restaurant industry and has grown six local and diverse businesses from the ground up. After a successful career as a multi-unit franchisee for various restaurant concepts and large franchisor representative, DeLeon has developed and launched Grumpy’s as a franchise opportunity.

“It’s such an honor to not only bring in awards for the restaurant, but to also be recognized as a business owner,” said DeLeon. “I am really proud of how far Grumpy’s has come and am thankful for the opportunity to help it grow.”

Founded in 1999, the original Grumpy’s was a dream of a U.S. Navy cook, known as “Chef Grumpy: The Bad Mood Dude.” After retiring, “Grumpy” decided to take a leap of faith and continue to serve his community in a different facet. The restaurant is committed to serving its community, especially local veterans, and Grumpy’s prides itself on the staff’s sweet southern hospitality while serving a hungry person’s portion at a working-class price. They are currently looking for both local and regional franchisees that have the same passion and grit as “Grumpy.”

“Being recognized as ‘influential’ will only motivate us to do more,” added DeLeon. “We are excited for the growth of Grumpy’s and know that the future holds a lot of exciting things.”

With their flagship location currently open and operating in Orange Park, Florida; Grumpy’s is focused on further expansion within its own backyard. Two stores in St. Johns and Middleburg, Florida are currently in development, and company plans call for at least two more franchisee-owned locations open by end of 2020.

Menu items are fresh, made to order and always made from scratch. Grumpy’s offers an array of daily and weekly chalk board specials which include a variety of sandwiches, homemade soups, salads, signature coffee, fresh squeezed juices, homemade hot chocolate and desserts.

Including a franchise fee of $34,900, the initial investment necessary to open a single location ranges between $313,850 and $797,400. Each Grumpy’s Restaurant location will occupy approximately 2,600 to 3,000 square feet of real estate and will have approximately 106 seats.

Founded in 1999 and franchising since 2019, Grumpy’s Restaurant is a traditional Americana, full-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and brunch. Grumpy’s offers fresh, made-to-order and always-made-from-scratch menu items at an affordable, family-friendly price. Today there is one location open and operating in Jacksonville, Florida. For more information, visit www.grumpysrestaurantco.com.