Rising to the Top

Craig McDuffie climbed from server to restauranteur

By Kelsey Rankin

As the majority owner of Ironwood Grill, Craig McDuffie is passionate about food service, and about investing in the community that has invested in him and the restaurant over the years—but mostly, he is passionate about people.

Craig began his career in the restaurant industry in March 2000, as a server at Texas Roadhouse. Feeding people had long been a passion of his. “I love seeing people’s faces when they eat,” Craig said. Bruce Hornebuckle hired him, and he spent the next fifteen years working his way up and learning as much as he could about how to run a restaurant—and that on-the-job training would later pay off.

After serving, he transitioned to the kitchen side of the business, where he was promoted to trainer, then hourly manager, new restaurant corporate trainer, salary manager, kitchen manager, and product coach. At that time, Craig audited food quality, ensured proper sanitation, and taught all recipes and new additions for nine total Texas Roadhouse locations. He became a managing partner in North Little Rock for a year and a half before returning to Texarkana. Through these leadership roles, he served as a teacher and mentor for those working under him in the restaurants. 

After a decade and a half of mentorship, Hornbuckle believed that Craig would be successful as a co-owner of a restaurant after seeing his work and commitment to excellence through his time at Texas Roadhouse. So, in September 2015, the two purchased Ironwood Grill from the previous owners. In their original LLC contract, they agreed that Craig would be able to buy more stock in Ironwood after three years and again in six years. There are five total co-owners of the restaurant, and each managing partner has been able to buy stock over the years. 

As the business grew and partners were added, Craig had the unique opportunity to return to college. He had attended classes over the years at TC and then at Texas A&M–Texarkana and had accumulated over 80 credit hours. He decided to complete the BAAS program after encouragement from one of Ironwood’s former managers, Sydney Wicks. Sydney, now a realtor, was on this track, and Craig made the decision because he wanted his children to see him do it and to attend his graduation. 

Craig credits the success of Ironwood to his team. “We make decisions as a team,” he said. “I encourage them to lead with heart and to be servant leaders—to get to know people and treat them as they wish to be treated.” His goal always was to create an environment in the restaurant where his own children one day might like to work—and his daughter Rylee, 19, currently does, at the to-go counter. 

Craig and Lisa have three teenaged children. 

Notably, his own children aside, when Craig talks about his younger staff, he calls them “our kids,” a sure signifier of the family atmosphere at Ironwood. “We have a lot of servers that are in some type of college program, and we are proud of them when they finish and begin their career paths,” he said. He knows that being in the service industry that Ironwood “is part of their work ethic, and we try to create an environment that is conducive to work and school,” he explained. 

In addition to the Ironwood “kids,” Craig and his wife, Lisa, have three of their own children: Lily-Ann, 14; Cam, 17; and Rylee, 19.

Craig earned a BAAS to make his kids proud. 

Besides owning and running one of the most beloved local restaurants, Craig dedicates his time to several organizations. He has been a Red Lick alderman since 2019 as well as serving as the city financial officer and mayor pro tempore. He also serves as director on the board for TexAmericas Center and on the Environmental and Nominating Committees. He is a Campus Planning and Decision Making Committee member for Pleasant Grove ISD. He and his family attend Christian Warriors Church, where he is a deacon and serves on the financial team. Craig was also recently named a director of the Board of the Artex Council of Governments. 

In each of his roles—restauranteur, mentor, family man, volunteer—people are at the heart of Craig’s focus.