Brandwave

KFC vs Red Rooster:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, KFC had more branded searches than Red Rooster among chicken chains in Australia. KFC had about 823,000 branded searches, while Red Rooster had 201,000. KFC made up 53% of all chicken chain searches we track, and Red Rooster accounted for 13%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about chicken chains, KFC and Red Rooster each appeared in three of the four answers. Red Rooster was mentioned before KFC in every answer.

Among chicken chains in Australia in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

KFC, about 4 searches for every 1 for Red Rooster

KFC 823K searchesRed Rooster 201K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 3 of 4 answers.

KFC in 3 of 4Red Rooster in 3 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Red Rooster, named ahead of KFC in every answer

Red Rooster first in 3KFC never first

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Top chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, KFC and Red Rooster were each mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Red Rooster was listed before KFC in every answer.

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.

Is KFC or Red Rooster more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for KFC and Red Rooster by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six chicken chains we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.

KFC and Red Rooster among chicken chains in Australia, by month

Share of searches by month for KFC, Red Rooster. 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%

How has the KFC and Red Rooster comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • KFC was ahead of Red Rooster in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KFC’s share of searches among chicken chains in Australia moved from 47.3% to 53%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 823K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Red Rooster’s share of searches among chicken chains in Australia moved from 17.3% to 13%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 201K.

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

2 changes

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

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

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using KFC’s and Red Rooster’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

KFC

1 branded search term

  • kfc

Red Rooster

1 branded search term

  • red rooster

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among chicken chains

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