Chris Carter

Co-Founder & CEO, Porter Road

Chris Carter, a native of Middle Tennessee, began his culinary journey at the University of Memphis before pursuing further education at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, Arizona. After working in various kitchens in Scottsdale, he returned to Nashville in 2008. Initially joining The Capital Grill at the Hermitage Hotel, Chris eventually realized his true passion: owning and operating his own restaurant. However, during this process, he recognized a significant need for change in the local food system.

In 2011, Chris and his business partner James Peisker addressed this need by opening Porter Road Butcher, Nashville’s first whole animal butcher shop. The establishment aimed to provide locally sourced meat and support the city’s surrounding producers. To ensure control over the supply chain, they acquired a small processing facility in western Kentucky in 2014. Expanding their operations, they launched a successful wholesale business in food service, serving over 150 accounts by 2015.

To further their impact, in 2017, Chris raised $3.7 million to launch PorterRoad.com, the country’s first true whole animal online butcher. They continued to expand and strengthen their presence by securing a 30,000 sqft building in 2021, with support from the IDA and EDA of western Kentucky. Closing a Series A Fundraise of $10 million, they invested $4 million in building out the new facility, allowing Porter Road to increase production and work towards their goal of capturing 1% of the $100 billion meat industry.