Chick-fil-A vs Popeyes:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Chick-fil-A had more branded searches than Popeyes among fried chicken chains worldwide. Chick-fil-A had about 24.9 million branded searches, while Popeyes had 6.1 million. Chick-fil-A made up 42.8% of all fried chicken chain searches we track, and Popeyes accounted for 10.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fried chicken chains, both Chick-fil-A and Popeyes appeared in all three answers. Popeyes was mentioned before Chick-fil-A in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Chick-fil-A, about 4 searches for every 1 for Popeyes
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Popeyes, named ahead of Chick-fil-A in every answer
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Top fried chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, both Chick-fil-A and Popeyes showed up in all three answers. Popeyes was listed before Chick-fil-A in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Popeyes1st
- Chick-fil-A2nd
Raising Cane’s3rd
KFC4th
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?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best fried chicken chains?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best fried chicken chain for a quick dinner?”
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 Popeyes more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Chick-fil-A and Popeyes 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.
Share of searches by month for Chick-fil-A, Popeyes. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Chick-fil-A | KFC | Popeyes | Raising Cane’s | Nando's |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 42.1% | 42.1% | 12.6% | 3.1% | 0.09% |
| Nov 2025 | 37% | 45.2% | 13.6% | 4.1% | 0.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.3% | 46.7% | 11.5% | 3.4% | 0.08% |
| Jan 2026 | 41.8% | 41.8% | 12.6% | 3.8% | 0.08% |
| Feb 2026 | 38% | 46.4% | 11.4% | 4.2% | 0.09% |
| Mar 2026 | 41.8% | 41.8% | 12.6% | 3.8% | 0.08% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.1% | 42.1% | 12.6% | 3.1% | 0.08% |
| May 2026 | 42.8% | 42.8% | 10.5% | 3.8% | 0.09% |
| Jun 2026 | 43.1% | 43.1% | 10.6% | 3.2% | 0.09% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.1% | 43.1% | 10.6% | 3.2% | 0.09% |
| Aug 2026 | 39.1% | 47.7% | 9.6% | 3.5% | 0.08% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.8% | 42.8% | 10.5% | 3.8% | 0.08% |
How has the Chick-fil-A and Popeyes comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Chick-fil-A was ahead of Popeyes 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, Popeyes’ share of searches among fried chicken chains worldwide moved from 12.6% to 10.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 7.5M to 6.1M.
How did search popularity change for fried chicken chains worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Chick-fil-A overtook KFC to become the leader among fried chicken chains worldwide, with 42.8% of the searches.
In September 2026, Popeyes gained share of searches among fried chicken chains worldwide, from 9.6% to 10.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chick-fil-A’s and Popeyes’ 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
Popeyes
1 branded search term
- popeyes
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