About us
Since 1997, Joyce & Family Restaurant & Catering has been a place where great food, warm hospitality, and community come together. Founded on the belief that every guest should feel like family, we have proudly served generations of residents, visitors, churches, businesses, and organizations throughout Fuquay-Varina and the surrounding communities.
Our menu is rooted in Southern tradition, featuring scratch-made comfort foods prepared with care, quality ingredients, and time-honored family recipes. From hearty family dinners to special celebrations and catered events, our goal has always been simple: serve delicious food and create meaningful connections around the table.
For nearly three decades, Joyce & Family has been more than a restaurant—we have been a gathering place where friendships are made, milestones are celebrated, and memories are shared. We are grateful for the support of our loyal guests and honored to be part of the fabric of this community.
Whether you're joining us for a meal, planning a special event, or simply stopping by to say hello, we welcome you with the same spirit that has guided us since day one:
Come as guests. Leave as family.
Founder Story
Joyce Staton, Founder
Joyce has always been a people person. She loved talking, sharing stories, and connecting with others. Every day, she would eagerly wait for her husband Lewis to come home so she could tell him all about her day.
One evening, after a long day of work, he walked through the door and jokingly said, "Joyce, Joyce, Joyce, I'm tired. You need to go out and make some friends!"
As it turned out, that simple comment would change their lives forever.
Not long after, while Joyce was getting her hair done, someone mentioned that a restaurant space at 206 W. Academy Street in Fuquay-Varina was available. The opportunity sparked something in her. Joyce had always loved cooking for family, friends, and anyone who walked through her door, so the idea of opening a restaurant felt natural.
With determination, a leap of faith, and funds borrowed from her husband's 401(k), Joyce got to work. Just three weeks after her husband told her to find some friends, Joyce & Family Restaurant & Catering opened its doors.
What began as a way for Joyce to meet people quickly became much more. Guests were drawn not only to her homemade Southern cooking but also to her warm personality and genuine hospitality. Joyce treated everyone like family, and before long, she had made more friends than she ever imagined.
The first location served the Fuquay-Varina community for approximately seven years, building a loyal following that continues to support the restaurant today. More than two decades later, Joyce & Family Restaurant & Catering remains rooted in the same values that started it all: great food, meaningful connections, and making every guest feel at home.
After all, Joyce set out to make a few friends—and ended up creating a family that spans an entire community.
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!