Women of 280: Miranda Carter - Johnny Ray's BBQ, Chelsea

Miranda Carter, owner and operator of Johnny Ray’s BBQ in Chelsea and Columbiana, was recently honored by AL.com and Birmingham Magazine’s program Women Who Shape the State, which recognizes female leaders in Alabama. She was the only person in Shelby County included in 2015’s list of 34 women. She has also been honored with awards that include Business of the Year, New Business of the Year and Ambassador of the Year for the South Shelby County Chamber, Business of the year for the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Best Barbecue in Shelby Living’s Best of the Best contest.

 She attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham in business management and opened her first franchise, Johnny Ray’s BBQ in Chelsea at the age of 19. 

“It was such an honor that he believed in me at such a young age,” Carter said. “It was always a dream of mine to own a restaurant.”