Brandwave

How popular isKFC?

In September 2026, people searched for KFC by name about 823,000 times in Australia, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 53% of all Australia chicken chain searches, placing KFC first out of six chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about chicken chains, KFC appeared in three of the four answers and was the second most recommended of the six.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

KFC is the most searched of 6 competitors and the second most recommended in AI answers.

  1. KFCShare of searches 53%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  2. Red RoosterShare of searches 13%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  3. El JannahShare of searches 10.6%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
  4. Nando'sShare of searches 10.6%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  5. OportoShare of searches 10.6%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th

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Top chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, KFC was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. KFC is the second most recommended of the six.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Red Rooster1st
  2. KFC2nd
  3. Nando's3rd
  4. Oporto4th
  5. El Jannah5th
  6. Chicken Treat6th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • KFC3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Red Rooster3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Oporto3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • El Jannah2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Nando's2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Chicken Treat1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about chicken chains

4 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 23, 2026.

Which chicken chains compete with KFC?

KFC against chicken chains in Australia, by month

Share of searches by month for KFC, Red Rooster, El Jannah, Nando's, Oporto, Chicken Treat. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKFCRed RoosterEl JannahNando'sOportoChicken Treat
Oct 202547.3%17.3%11.5%11.5%9.5%2.8%
Nov 202552.2%15.7%10.5%10.5%8.6%2.6%
Dec 202551%15.3%12.5%10.2%8.4%2.5%
Jan 202648.8%14.6%11.9%11.9%9.8%2.9%
Feb 202652.3%15.6%10.5%10.5%8.6%2.6%
Mar 202649.7%14.9%14.9%10%8.2%2.4%
Apr 202652.3%15.6%10.5%10.5%8.6%2.6%
May 202653.1%15.9%10.6%10.6%7.1%2.6%
Jun 202652.3%15.6%10.5%10.5%8.6%2.6%
Jul 202650.5%18.5%10.1%10.1%8.3%2.5%
Aug 202645.5%20.3%11.2%11.2%9.1%2.7%
Sep 202653%13%10.6%10.6%10.6%2.1%

  1. 1.KFC

    53%

    Held 1st. 823K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +7.5 points.

  2. 2.Red Rooster

    13%

    Held 2nd. 201K estimated branded searches, -33.2% vs prior month. Share -7.4 points.

  3. 3.El Jannah

    10.6%

    Held 3rd. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.

  4. 4.Nando's

    10.6%

    Held 4th. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.

  5. 5.Oporto

    10.6%

    Held 5th. 165K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +1.5 points.

  6. 6.Chicken Treat

    2.1%

    Held 6th. 33.1K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.

Compare popularity between KFC and its closest rivals

Every comparison with KFC

5 comparisons

How has branded search demand for KFC changed in Australia over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for KFC in Australia held steady at 823K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KFC’s share of searches among chicken chains in Australia increased from 47.3% to 53%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KFC’s share of searches among chicken chains in Australia peaked at 53.1% in May 2026 and was lowest at 45.5% in August 2026.

How did search popularity change for Australia chicken chains in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, KFC gained share of searches among chicken chains in Australia, from 45.5% to 53%.

  2. In September 2026, Oporto gained share of searches among chicken chains in Australia, from 9.1% to 10.6%.

  3. In September 2026, Red Rooster lost share of searches among chicken chains in Australia, from 20.3% to 13%.

  4. In September 2026, Chicken Treat lost share of searches among chicken chains in Australia, from 2.7% to 2.1%.

  5. In September 2026, El Jannah lost share of searches among chicken chains in Australia, from 11.2% to 10.6%.

  6. In September 2026, Nando's lost share of searches among chicken chains in Australia, from 11.2% to 10.6%.

How are KFC’s branded searches counted?

1 search term

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using KFC’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • kfc

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How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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