Seward BBQ Named Alaska's Small Business of the Year

The owner of Firebrand BBQ in the tourist town of Seward credits the local community for the restaurant's success.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:54pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium barbecue tools and ingredients, including a cast-iron grill grate, a bottle of homemade barbecue sauce, and a pile of freshly smoked meat, all arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background. The objects use sharp, dramatic studio lighting and deep shadows to represent the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into Firebrand BBQ's award-winning cuisine.Firebrand BBQ's commitment to quality ingredients and expert preparation has earned the Seward restaurant the prestigious Small Business of the Year award from the U.S. Small Business Administration.Seward Today

The U.S. Small Business Administration has named the owner of Firebrand BBQ in Seward, Alaska as the Small Business Person of the Year for the state. The restaurant, which started as a hobby in a small space with two trailers and picnic tables, has grown over the years to include multiple timber frame structures and a dedicated 'cook shack.' The owner credits the local community, rather than just the influx of tourists, for turning Firebrand into a top dining destination in Seward.

Why it matters

This award highlights how a small, community-focused business can thrive in a tourist-driven economy by catering to the needs and tastes of local residents. Firebrand BBQ's success story provides a model for other small businesses looking to establish a loyal customer base and stand out in a crowded market.

The details

Firebrand BBQ owner Jared Higgins started the business as a hobby, never intending for it to become a full-fledged restaurant. However, he soon realized that Seward, a popular tourist destination, lacked a dedicated barbecue joint. Higgins purchased a small site with two trailers and picnic tables, and has since expanded the business to include multiple timber frame structures and a separate 'cook shack.' Higgins credits the restaurant's success to the local community, saying that it's the referrals from hotel staff, Airbnb hosts, and even kids working on boats that have turned Firebrand into one of the most recommended places to eat in town.

  • Higgins started Firebrand BBQ as a hobby in Seward.
  • Higgins soon realized Seward lacked a dedicated barbecue restaurant and purchased a small site to open Firebrand.
  • Over the years, Firebrand BBQ has expanded from its initial two-trailer setup to include multiple timber frame structures and a separate 'cook shack'.
  • In 2026, the U.S. Small Business Administration named Higgins the Small Business Person of the Year for Alaska.

The players

Jared Higgins

The owner of Firebrand BBQ in Seward, Alaska, who started the business as a hobby and has grown it into a top dining destination in the town.

Firebrand BBQ

A barbecue restaurant in Seward, Alaska that started in a small space with two trailers and picnic tables and has since expanded to include multiple timber frame structures and a dedicated 'cook shack.'

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What they’re saying

“I never took any money for it. I just went out there to have fun and keep it as a hobby, not a business.”

— Jared Higgins, Owner, Firebrand BBQ

“Seward is a very unique place, unlike anything I've seen in the Lower 48. If you're willing to work and provide a service or goods that are above average to superior, you're going to succeed here.”

— Jared Higgins, Owner, Firebrand BBQ

“It's the locals who turned us into what we are. I don't know officially, but I would say we're one of the highest recommended places in town—from people working in Airbnbs, to hotel staff, to kids working on the boats. People ask them where to go to eat, and they point them in our direction.”

— Jared Higgins, Owner, Firebrand BBQ

“I try to keep my prices where the deckhands or the front desk people can still afford to come over to eat. Because they're the ones who elicit the other folks.”

— Jared Higgins, Owner, Firebrand BBQ

What’s next

Firebrand BBQ plans to continue expanding its operations and menu offerings to meet the growing demand from both locals and tourists in Seward.

The takeaway

Firebrand BBQ's success story demonstrates how a small, community-focused business can thrive in a tourist-driven economy by catering to the needs and tastes of local residents. This model provides inspiration for other small businesses looking to establish a loyal customer base and stand out in a crowded market.