---
title: "Fast food chains: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the fast food chains people choose between for burgers, chicken, subs and tacos. Share of Search among McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Subway, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Popeyes, Carl's Jr. and Nando's, the fast food chains Brandwave compares worldwide, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/fast-food-chains"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# Fast food chains: Which are searched most?

Compare the fast food chains people choose between for burgers, chicken, subs and tacos. Share of Search among McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Subway, Taco Bell, Wendy's, Popeyes, Carl's Jr. and Nando's, the fast food chains Brandwave compares worldwide, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: Fast food chains
- **Market**: Global
- **Brands compared**: 9
- **Month measured**: Sep 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: McDonald's, 47.5%

## Which brand is most popular in search among fast food chains worldwide?

- In September 2026, McDonald's was the most searched among fast food chains worldwide, with an estimated 101M branded searches and 47.5% estimated Share of Search within this set.
- Burger King is in 2nd place, 33.2 percentage points behind at 14.3% Share of Search.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, McDonald's’ estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide increased from 46.6% to 47.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wendy's’ estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide decreased from 6.3% to 5.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Popeyes’ estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide decreased from 3.5% to 2.9%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, McDonald's’ estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide peaked at 52% in July 2026 and was lowest at 46% in February 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Burger King’s estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide peaked at 14.5% in January 2026 and was lowest at 12.1% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KFC’s estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide peaked at 13.8% in February 2026 and was lowest at 10.4% in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Subway’s estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide peaked at 9.6% in September 2026 and was lowest at 6.9% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Taco Bell’s estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide peaked at 8.1% in November 2025 and was lowest at 6.8% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wendy's’ estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide peaked at 6.3% in October 2025 and was lowest at 4.6% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Popeyes’ estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide peaked at 3.6% in November 2025 and was lowest at 2.5% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Burger King, KFC, Subway, Taco Bell, Carl's Jr. and Nando's held steady: their estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [McDonald's vs Burger King: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/burger-king-vs-mcdonalds): 47.5% against 14.3% Share of Search.
- [McDonald's vs KFC: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/kfc-vs-mcdonalds): 47.5% against 11.7% Share of Search.
- [McDonald's vs Subway: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/mcdonalds-vs-subway): 47.5% against 9.6% Share of Search.
- [McDonald's vs Taco Bell: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/mcdonalds-vs-taco-bell): 47.5% against 7.8% Share of Search.
- [Burger King vs KFC: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/burger-king-vs-kfc): 14.3% against 11.7% Share of Search.
- [Burger King vs Subway: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/burger-king-vs-subway): 14.3% against 9.6% Share of Search.
- [Burger King vs Taco Bell: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/burger-king-vs-taco-bell): 14.3% against 7.8% Share of Search.
- [KFC vs Subway: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/kfc-vs-subway): 11.7% against 9.6% Share of Search.
- [KFC vs Taco Bell: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/kfc-vs-taco-bell): 11.7% against 7.8% Share of Search.
- [Subway vs Taco Bell: compare search popularity](/demand/global-en/compare/subway-vs-taco-bell): 9.6% against 7.8% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for fast food chains worldwide in September 2026?

- In September 2026, Burger King gained estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide, from 12.5% to 14.3%.
- In September 2026, Subway gained estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide, from 8.4% to 9.6%.
- In September 2026, Taco Bell gained estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide, from 6.8% to 7.8%.
- In September 2026, McDonald's lost estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide, from 50.9% to 47.5%.
- In September 2026, KFC lost estimated Share of Search among fast food chains worldwide, from 12.5% to 11.7%.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Wendy's worldwide fell 18.4% over 12 measured months, from 13.6M to 11.1M in September 2026.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Popeyes worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 7.5M to 6.1M in September 2026.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Nando's worldwide fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 54.2K to 44.4K in September 2026.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | McDonald's | 47.5% | 101M | -18.5% | McDonald's |
| 2 | Burger King | 14.3% | 30.4M | 0.0% | Burger King |
| 3 | KFC | 11.7% | 24.9M | -18.1% | KFC |
| 4 | Subway | 9.6% | 20.4M | 0.0% | Subway |
| 5 | Taco Bell | 7.8% | 16.6M | 0.0% | Taco Bell |
| 6 | Wendy's | 5.2% | 11.1M | -18.4% | Wendy's |
| 7 | Popeyes | 2.9% | 6.1M | 0.0% | Popeyes |
| 8 | Carl's Jr. | 1.1% | 2.2M | 0.0% | Carl's Jr. |
| 9 | Nando's | 0.02% | 44.4K | -9.9% | Nando's |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | McDonald's | 101M | 46.6% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Burger King | 30.4M | 14% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | KFC | 24.9M | 11.5% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Subway | 20.4M | 9.4% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 7.7% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Wendy's | 13.6M | 6.3% | 6 |
| Oct 2025 | Popeyes | 7.5M | 3.5% | 7 |
| Oct 2025 | Carl's Jr. | 2.2M | 1% | 8 |
| Oct 2025 | Nando's | 54.2K | 0.03% | 9 |
| Nov 2025 | McDonald's | 101M | 49.2% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Burger King | 24.9M | 12.1% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | KFC | 24.9M | 12.1% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Subway | 16.6M | 8.1% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 8.1% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Wendy's | 11.1M | 5.4% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | Popeyes | 7.5M | 3.6% | 7 |
| Nov 2025 | Carl's Jr. | 2.7M | 1.3% | 8 |
| Nov 2025 | Nando's | 54.2K | 0.03% | 9 |
| Dec 2025 | McDonald's | 124M | 51.8% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Burger King | 30.4M | 12.7% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | KFC | 30.4M | 12.7% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Subway | 16.6M | 6.9% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 6.9% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | Wendy's | 11.1M | 4.6% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | Popeyes | 7.5M | 3.1% | 7 |
| Dec 2025 | Carl's Jr. | 2.7M | 1.1% | 8 |
| Dec 2025 | Nando's | 49.3K | 0.02% | 9 |
| Jan 2026 | McDonald's | 101M | 48% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Burger King | 30.4M | 14.5% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | KFC | 24.9M | 11.8% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Subway | 16.6M | 7.9% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 7.9% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | Wendy's | 11.1M | 5.3% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Popeyes | 7.5M | 3.6% | 7 |
| Jan 2026 | Carl's Jr. | 2.2M | 1.1% | 8 |
| Jan 2026 | Nando's | 49.3K | 0.02% | 9 |
| Feb 2026 | McDonald's | 83.1M | 46% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Burger King | 24.9M | 13.8% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | KFC | 24.9M | 13.8% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Subway | 16.6M | 9.2% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Taco Bell | 13.6M | 7.5% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Wendy's | 9.1M | 5.1% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | Popeyes | 6.1M | 3.4% | 7 |
| Feb 2026 | Carl's Jr. | 2.2M | 1.2% | 8 |
| Feb 2026 | Nando's | 49.3K | 0.03% | 9 |
| Mar 2026 | McDonald's | 101M | 47.2% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Burger King | 30.4M | 14.2% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | KFC | 24.9M | 11.6% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Subway | 20.4M | 9.5% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 7.8% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Wendy's | 11.1M | 5.2% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Popeyes | 7.5M | 3.5% | 7 |
| Mar 2026 | Carl's Jr. | 2.2M | 1% | 8 |
| Mar 2026 | Nando's | 49.3K | 0.02% | 9 |
| Apr 2026 | McDonald's | 101M | 47.2% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Burger King | 30.4M | 14.2% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | KFC | 24.9M | 11.6% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Subway | 20.4M | 9.5% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 7.8% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | Wendy's | 11.1M | 5.2% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Popeyes | 7.5M | 3.5% | 7 |
| Apr 2026 | Carl's Jr. | 2.2M | 1% | 8 |
| Apr 2026 | Nando's | 49.3K | 0.02% | 9 |
| May 2026 | McDonald's | 101M | 47.5% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Burger King | 30.4M | 14.3% | 2 |
| May 2026 | KFC | 24.9M | 11.7% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Subway | 20.4M | 9.6% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 7.8% | 5 |
| May 2026 | Wendy's | 11.1M | 5.2% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Popeyes | 6.1M | 2.9% | 7 |
| May 2026 | Carl's Jr. | 2.2M | 1.1% | 8 |
| May 2026 | Nando's | 55.3K | 0.03% | 9 |
| Jun 2026 | McDonald's | 101M | 47.5% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Burger King | 30.4M | 14.3% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | KFC | 24.9M | 11.7% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Subway | 20.4M | 9.6% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 7.8% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Wendy's | 11.1M | 5.2% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Popeyes | 6.1M | 2.9% | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | Carl's Jr. | 2.2M | 1.1% | 8 |
| Jun 2026 | Nando's | 49.3K | 0.02% | 9 |
| Jul 2026 | McDonald's | 124M | 52% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Burger King | 30.4M | 12.8% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | KFC | 24.9M | 10.4% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Subway | 20.4M | 8.6% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 7% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Wendy's | 13.6M | 5.7% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Popeyes | 6.1M | 2.6% | 7 |
| Jul 2026 | Carl's Jr. | 2.2M | 0.94% | 8 |
| Jul 2026 | Nando's | 49.3K | 0.02% | 9 |
| Aug 2026 | McDonald's | 124M | 50.9% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Burger King | 30.4M | 12.5% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | KFC | 30.4M | 12.5% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Subway | 20.4M | 8.4% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 6.8% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Wendy's | 13.6M | 5.6% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Popeyes | 6.1M | 2.5% | 7 |
| Aug 2026 | Carl's Jr. | 2.2M | 0.92% | 8 |
| Aug 2026 | Nando's | 49.3K | 0.02% | 9 |
| Sep 2026 | McDonald's | 101M | 47.5% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | Burger King | 30.4M | 14.3% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | KFC | 24.9M | 11.7% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | Subway | 20.4M | 9.6% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | Taco Bell | 16.6M | 7.8% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | Wendy's | 11.1M | 5.2% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Popeyes | 6.1M | 2.9% | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | Carl's Jr. | 2.2M | 1.1% | 8 |
| Sep 2026 | Nando's | 44.4K | 0.02% | 9 |

## What is being compared

- **Burger King**: Measured on the search term “burger king”.
- **Carl's Jr.**: Measured on the search term “carls jr”.
- **KFC**: Measured on the search term “kfc”.
- **McDonald's**: Measured on the search term “mcdonalds”.
- **Nando's**: Measured on the search terms “nando s” and “nandos chicken”, summed into one figure.
- **Popeyes**: Measured on the search term “popeyes”.
- **Subway**: Measured on the search term “subway”.
- **Taco Bell**: Measured on the search term “taco bell”.
- **Wendy's**: Measured on the search term “wendys”.

- [Burger King](/demand/global-en/brands/burger-king)
- [Carl's Jr.](/demand/global-en/brands/carls-jr)
- [KFC](/demand/global-en/brands/kfc)
- [McDonald's](/demand/global-en/brands/mcdonalds)
- [Nando's](/demand/global-en/brands/nandos)
- [Popeyes](/demand/global-en/brands/popeyes)
- [Subway](/demand/global-en/brands/subway)
- [Taco Bell](/demand/global-en/brands/taco-bell)
- [Wendy's](/demand/global-en/brands/wendys)

## Methodology

- [How is branded search demand measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among fast food chains worldwide?

In September 2026, McDonald's was the most searched among fast food chains worldwide, with an estimated 101M branded searches and 47.5% estimated Share of Search within this set. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "Fast food chains: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/fast-food-chains

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/global-en/categories/fast-food-chains. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.