Brandwave

Carl's Jr. vs Chick-fil-A:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Chick-fil-A had more branded searches than Carl's Jr. among fast food chains worldwide. Chick-fil-A had about 24.9 million branded searches, while Carl's Jr. had 2.2 million. Chick-fil-A made up 10.3% of all fast food chain searches we track, and Carl's Jr. accounted for 0.92%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fast food chains, Chick-fil-A appeared in all four answers and Carl's Jr. in none.

Among fast food chains worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Chick-fil-A, about 11 searches for every 1 for Carl's Jr.

Chick-fil-A 24.9M searchesCarl's Jr. 2.2M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Chick-fil-A, mentioned in every answer we collected

Chick-fil-A in 4 of 4Carl's Jr. in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Chick-fil-A, the only one of the two named

Chick-fil-A first in 4Carl's Jr. never named

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Top fast food chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Chick-fil-A appeared in all four answers. Carl's Jr. did not appear in any of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Chick-fil-A1st
  2. McDonald's2nd
  3. Taco Bell3rd
  4. Wendy's4th
  5. Popeyes5th
  6. Subway6th
  7. Raising Cane’s7th
  8. Shake Shack8th
  9. Burger King–
  10. +1 more
  11. Carl's Jr.–
  12. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

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

  • McDonald's4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Chick-fil-A4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Taco Bell4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Wendy's3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Popeyes2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Raising Cane’s2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Shake Shack2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Subway1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Burger King0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Carl's Jr.0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

+2 more

See every answer about fast food chains

4 answers

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 Carl's Jr. or Chick-fil-A more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Carl's Jr. and Chick-fil-A by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 fast food chains we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Carl's Jr. and Chick-fil-A among fast food chains worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Chick-fil-A, Carl's Jr.. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMcDonald'sBurger KingChick-fil-AKFCSubwayTaco BellWendy'sPopeyesCarl's Jr.Raising Cane’sShake ShackNando's
Oct 202541%12.4%10.1%10.1%8.3%6.7%5.5%3%0.91%0.74%1.1%0.02%
Nov 202543.8%10.8%8.8%10.8%7.2%7.2%4.8%3.2%1.2%0.97%1.2%0.02%
Dec 202546.1%11.3%9.2%11.3%6.2%6.2%4.1%2.8%1%0.83%1%0.02%
Jan 202642%12.7%10.4%10.4%6.9%6.9%4.6%3.1%0.93%0.93%1.1%0.02%
Feb 202640.3%12.1%9.9%12.1%8.1%6.6%4.4%3%1.1%1.1%1.3%0.02%
Mar 202641.4%12.5%10.2%10.2%8.4%6.8%4.5%3.1%0.92%0.92%1.1%0.02%
Apr 202641.5%12.5%10.2%10.2%8.4%6.8%4.6%3.1%0.92%0.75%1.1%0.02%
May 202641.6%12.5%10.3%10.3%8.4%6.8%4.6%2.5%0.92%0.92%1.1%0.02%
Jun 202641.8%12.6%10.3%10.3%8.4%6.9%4.6%2.5%0.93%0.76%0.93%0.02%
Jul 202646.4%11.4%9.3%9.3%7.6%6.2%5.1%2.3%0.84%0.68%0.84%0.02%
Aug 202645.3%11.1%9.1%11.1%7.5%6.1%5%2.2%0.82%0.82%1%0.02%
Sep 202641.7%12.6%10.3%10.3%8.4%6.9%4.6%2.5%0.92%0.92%0.92%0.02%

How has the Carl's Jr. and Chick-fil-A comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Chick-fil-A was ahead of Carl's Jr. in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Carl's Jr.’s share of searches among fast food chains worldwide moved from 0.91% to 0.92%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.2M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Chick-fil-A’s share of searches among fast food chains worldwide moved from 10.1% to 10.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 24.9M.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Chick-fil-A overtook KFC to rank 3rd among fast food chains worldwide, with 10.3% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Carl's Jr. rose from 10th to 9th among fast food chains worldwide.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

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

Carl's Jr.

1 branded search term

  • carls jr

Chick-fil-A

2 branded search terms

  • chick fil a
  • chickfila

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among fast food chains

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