Brandwave

How popular isChick-fil-A?

In September 2026, people searched for Chick-fil-A by name about 24.9 million times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 42.8% of all global fried chicken chain searches, placing Chick-fil-A first out of five chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fried chicken chains, Chick-fil-A appeared in all answers and was the second most recommended of the five.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Chick-fil-A is the most searched of 5 competitors and the second most recommended in AI answers.

  1. Chick-fil-AShare of searches 42.8%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  2. KFCShare of searches 42.8%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  3. PopeyesShare of searches 10.5%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  4. Raising Cane’sShare of searches 3.8%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  5. Nando'sShare of searches 0.08%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
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Top fried chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Chick-fil-A appeared in all three answers. Chick-fil-A is the second most recommended of the five.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Popeyes1st
  2. Chick-fil-A2nd
  3. Raising Cane’s3rd
  4. KFC4th
  5. Nando's–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Chick-fil-A3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • KFC3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Popeyes3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Raising Cane’s2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Nando's0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers

See every answer about fried chicken chains

3 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which fried chicken chain should I shop at?”

    1. 1Popeyes
    2. 2Chick-fil-A
    3. 3KFC

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best fried chicken chains?”

    1. 1Popeyes
    2. 2Chick-fil-A
    3. 3Raising Cane’s
    4. 4KFC

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best fried chicken chain for a quick dinner?”

    1. 1Popeyes
    2. 2Chick-fil-A
    3. 3Raising Cane’s
    4. 4KFC

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “fried chicken chains”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best fried chicken”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Which fried chicken chains compete with Chick-fil-A?

Chick-fil-A against fried chicken chains worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Chick-fil-A, KFC, Popeyes, Raising Cane’s. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthChick-fil-AKFCPopeyesRaising Cane’sNando's
Oct 202542.1%42.1%12.6%3.1%0.09%
Nov 202537%45.2%13.6%4.1%0.1%
Dec 202538.3%46.7%11.5%3.4%0.08%
Jan 202641.8%41.8%12.6%3.8%0.08%
Feb 202638%46.4%11.4%4.2%0.09%
Mar 202641.8%41.8%12.6%3.8%0.08%
Apr 202642.1%42.1%12.6%3.1%0.08%
May 202642.8%42.8%10.5%3.8%0.09%
Jun 202643.1%43.1%10.6%3.2%0.09%
Jul 202643.1%43.1%10.6%3.2%0.09%
Aug 202639.1%47.7%9.6%3.5%0.08%
Sep 202642.8%42.8%10.5%3.8%0.08%

  1. 1.Chick-fil-A

    42.8%

    Moved from 2nd to 1st. 24.9M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +3.7 points.

  2. 2.KFC

    42.8%

    Moved from 1st to 2nd. 24.9M estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -4.9 points.

  3. 3.Popeyes

    10.5%

    Held 3rd. 6.1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.9 points.

  4. 4.Raising Cane’s

    3.8%

    Held 4th. 2.2M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.

  5. 5.Nando's

    0.08%

    Held 5th. 44.4K estimated branded searches, -9.9% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between Chick-fil-A and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Chick-fil-A

18 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Chick-fil-A changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Chick-fil-A worldwide held steady at 24.9M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Chick-fil-A’s share of searches among fried chicken chains worldwide increased from 42.1% to 42.8%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Chick-fil-A’s share of searches among fried chicken chains worldwide peaked at 43.1% in June 2026 and was lowest at 37% in November 2025.

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

5 changes

  1. In September 2026, Chick-fil-A overtook KFC to become the leader among fried chicken chains worldwide, with 42.8% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Popeyes gained share of searches among fried chicken chains worldwide, from 9.6% to 10.5%.

  3. In September 2026, KFC lost share of searches among fried chicken chains worldwide, from 47.7% to 42.8%.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for Raising Cane’s worldwide rose 22.4% over 12 measured months, from 1.8M to 2.2M in September 2026.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Nando's worldwide fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 54.2K to 44.4K in September 2026.

How are Chick-fil-A’s branded searches counted?

3 search terms

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

  • chick fil a
  • chick fil a milkshake
  • chickfila

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How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does Chick-fil-A compete?

Chick-fil-A is ranked in three competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Fast food chains3rd of 1210.3%Show ranking
Fried chicken chains1st of 542.8%Shown above
Milkshake brands2nd of 97.4%Show ranking
Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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