Big Bro Bao Named Finalist in National Small Business Awards

Big Bro Bao Named Finalist in Two Categories at the National Small Business Awards 2026

Felixstowe-based Asian-inspired street food brand Big Bro Bao has been named a finalist in two categories at the National Small Business Awards 2026, receiving recognition in both the Food & Drink Small Business and Innovation Award categories.

The recognition marks another milestone for the independent business, which first launched in January 2024 before undergoing a complete brand refresh and relaunch in June 2026 with a bold new identity and renewed vision for the future. With ambitions to become a nationally recognised hospitality brand, Big Bro Bao continues to invest in exceptional food, memorable customer experiences and innovative ways of operating behind the scenes.

The National Small Business Awards celebrate outstanding independent businesses across the UK, recognising excellence in customer experience, innovation, growth and community impact. This year's event also marks the awards' tenth anniversary.

Being shortlisted once again in the Food & Drink Small Business category follows Big Bro Bao's recognition as a finalist in the same category in 2025, reinforcing the business's reputation for delivering outstanding food and customer experiences. The nomination also comes shortly after the restaurant achieved the highest possible 5-star Food Hygiene Rating, recognising the team's commitment to maintaining exceptional standards across every aspect of the business.

The Innovation Award nomination reflects years of investment in technology developed entirely in-house. Rather than relying on off-the-shelf software, Big Bro Bao has created its own integrated digital ecosystem designed specifically around the way the business operates.

This includes its bespoke EPOS and ordering systems, the Big Bro Bao Rewards customer loyalty app and Bao HQ, the company's dedicated team platform that manages rotas, staff training, internal communications and day-to-day business operations. These aren't systems that have simply been purchased and rebranded. They've been designed and built specifically for Big Bro Bao, allowing the business to operate more efficiently while delivering a better experience for both customers and employees.

Joey James, Director of Big Bro Bao, said:

"We're absolutely delighted to be recognised as finalists in two categories this year. Being shortlisted again for Food & Drink means so much because it shows we're consistently delivering the quality and experience our customers expect from us. Receiving our 5-star Food Hygiene Rating recently makes this recognition even more rewarding, as it reflects the incredibly high standards our team works hard to maintain every single day.

The Innovation Award is particularly special. We've spent years developing our own technology from the ground up rather than buying existing software and putting our logo on it. Every system has been built around how Big Bro Bao operates, and it's something we're incredibly proud of. To see that recognised alongside our food is a fantastic achievement for the whole team.

We're incredibly grateful to our customers, our team and the local community for supporting us since day one. This recognition gives us even more motivation as we continue working towards our ambition of becoming a nationally recognised brand."

Winners will be announced at the National Small Business Awards ceremony on 13 November 2026 at Rutland Hall Hotel.