Brandwave

Chick-fil-A vs KFC:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Chick-fil-A and KFC were level in searches among fried chicken chains worldwide, with an estimated 24.9M branded searches each, at 42.8% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fried chicken chains, both Chick-fil-A and KFC appeared in all three answers. Chick-fil-A was mentioned before KFC in every answer.

Among fried chicken chains worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Chick-fil-A and KFC are searched for about as often as each other.

Chick-fil-A 24.9M searchesKFC 24.9M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Chick-fil-A in 3 of 3KFC in 3 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Chick-fil-A, named ahead of KFC in every answer

Chick-fil-A first in 3KFC never first

Follow Chick-fil-A vs KFC and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top fried chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, both Chick-fil-A and KFC showed up in all three answers. Chick-fil-A 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. 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.

Is Chick-fil-A or KFC more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Chick-fil-A and KFC by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five fried chicken chains we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Chick-fil-A and KFC among fried chicken chains worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Chick-fil-A, KFC. 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%

How has the Chick-fil-A and KFC comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Chick-fil-A was ahead of KFC in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Chick-fil-A’s share of searches among fried chicken chains worldwide moved from 42.1% to 42.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 24.9M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KFC’s share of searches among fried chicken chains worldwide moved from 42.1% to 42.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 24.9M.

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

2 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, KFC lost share of searches among fried chicken chains worldwide, from 47.7% to 42.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chick-fil-A’s and KFC’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.

Chick-fil-A

2 branded search terms

  • chick fil a
  • chickfila

KFC

1 branded search term

  • kfc

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among fried chicken chains

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free