Chick-fil-A vs KFC:Which is searched more?
In September 2026, Chick-fil-A and KFC were level in searches among fast food chains worldwide, with an estimated 24.9M branded searches each, at 10.3% of the total each. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
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Is Chick-fil-A or KFC more popular in search?
Compare the fast food chains people choose between for burgers, chicken, subs and tacos. 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.
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
| 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 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 fast food chains worldwide moved from 10.1% to 10.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 24.9M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KFC’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
In September 2026, Chick-fil-A overtook KFC to rank 3rd among fast food chains worldwide, with 10.3% of the searches.
In September 2026, KFC lost share of searches among fast food chains worldwide, from 11.1% to 10.3%.
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
Other head-to-heads among fast food chains
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