EXHIBIT 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of Business First Bancshares, Inc. of our report dated March 19, 2014, relating to our audit of the 2013 consolidated financial statements of American Gateway Financial Corporation and Subsidiary appearing in the proxy statement/prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

We also consent to the reference to our firm under the captions “Experts” in such Prospectus.

/s/ Hannis T. Bourgeois, LLP

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

November 12, 2014