Carl's Jr. vs Shake Shack:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Carl's Jr. and Shake Shack were level in searches among fast food chains worldwide, with an estimated 2.2M branded searches each, at 0.92% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fast food chains, Shake Shack appeared in two of the four answers and Carl's Jr. in none.
Who do people search for more?
Carl's Jr. and Shake Shack are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Shake Shack, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Carl's Jr. in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Shake Shack, the only one of the two named
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Top fast food chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Shake Shack was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. 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.
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
See every answer about fast food chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which fast food chain should I shop at?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best fast food chains?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best fast food chain for a quick meal?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“fast food chains”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“late night food”
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 Carl's Jr. or Shake Shack more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Carl's Jr. and Shake Shack 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.
Share of searches by month for Carl's Jr., Shake Shack. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | McDonald's | Burger King | Chick-fil-A | KFC | Subway | Taco Bell | Wendy's | Popeyes | Carl's Jr. | Raising Cane’s | Shake Shack | Nando's |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41% | 12.4% | 10.1% | 10.1% | 8.3% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 3% | 0.91% | 0.74% | 1.1% | 0.02% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.8% | 10.8% | 8.8% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 0.97% | 1.2% | 0.02% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.1% | 11.3% | 9.2% | 11.3% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 4.1% | 2.8% | 1% | 0.83% | 1% | 0.02% |
| Jan 2026 | 42% | 12.7% | 10.4% | 10.4% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 0.93% | 0.93% | 1.1% | 0.02% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.3% | 12.1% | 9.9% | 12.1% | 8.1% | 6.6% | 4.4% | 3% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.3% | 0.02% |
| Mar 2026 | 41.4% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 10.2% | 8.4% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 3.1% | 0.92% | 0.92% | 1.1% | 0.02% |
| Apr 2026 | 41.5% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 10.2% | 8.4% | 6.8% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 0.92% | 0.75% | 1.1% | 0.02% |
| May 2026 | 41.6% | 12.5% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 6.8% | 4.6% | 2.5% | 0.92% | 0.92% | 1.1% | 0.02% |
| Jun 2026 | 41.8% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 2.5% | 0.93% | 0.76% | 0.93% | 0.02% |
| Jul 2026 | 46.4% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 9.3% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 2.3% | 0.84% | 0.68% | 0.84% | 0.02% |
| Aug 2026 | 45.3% | 11.1% | 9.1% | 11.1% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 5% | 2.2% | 0.82% | 0.82% | 1% | 0.02% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.7% | 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 Shake Shack comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Carl's Jr. was ahead of Shake Shack 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, Shake Shack’s share of searches among fast food chains worldwide moved from 1.1% to 0.92%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.7M to 2.2M.
How did search popularity change for fast food chains worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Carl's Jr. rose from 10th to 9th among fast food chains worldwide.
In September 2026, Shake Shack fell from 9th to 11th among fast food chains worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Carl's Jr.’s and Shake Shack’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
Shake Shack
1 branded search term
- shake shack
Other head-to-heads among fast food chains
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