The effects of initial mean grain size on the grain growth in 316L stainless steel are studied. As-received 316L stainless steel shows normal grain growth behavior above 1200℃, but abnormal grain growth below this temperature. The initial grain sizes are obtained by a heat-treatment at 1300℃ for various times after 30% compression. There are critical initial grain sizes for the abnormal grain growth when the heat-treated specimen is annealed at 1100℃ and 1150℃. The critical initial grain size increases as the annealing temperature increases. When the initial grain size is smaller than the critical initial grain size the abnormal grain growth occurs, but otherwise stagnant growth prevails. Under the stagnant growth condition, abnormal grain growth occurs after prolonged heat treatment with some grains overcoming the critical driving force for abnormal grain growth. This grain growth behavior indicates a non-linear relationship between the grain growth rate and the driving force. TEM observation reveals that there are faceted grain boundaries where the stagnant or the abnormal grain growth occurs. It is proposed that a step growth mechanism of the faceted grain boundaries is the origin for the abnormal grain growth.