Brandwave

Chick-fil-A vs Shake Shack:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Chick-fil-A had more branded searches than Shake Shack among fast food chains worldwide. Chick-fil-A had about 24.9 million branded searches, while Shake Shack had 2.2 million. Chick-fil-A made up 10.3% of all fast food chain searches we track, and Shake Shack 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 Shake Shack in two. Chick-fil-A was mentioned before Shake Shack in every answer.

Among fast food chains worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Chick-fil-A, about 11 searches for every 1 for Shake Shack

Chick-fil-A 24.9M searchesShake Shack 2.2M searches

Who does AI mention more?

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

Chick-fil-A in 4 of 4Shake Shack in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Chick-fil-A, named ahead of Shake Shack in every answer

Chick-fil-A first in 4Shake Shack never first

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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. Shake Shack was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Chick-fil-A was listed before Shake Shack in every answer.

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. KFC–
  11. +2 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
  • KFC0 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 Chick-fil-A or Shake Shack more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Chick-fil-A 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.

Chick-fil-A and Shake Shack among fast food chains worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Chick-fil-A, Shake Shack. 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 Chick-fil-A and Shake Shack comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Chick-fil-A was ahead of Shake Shack 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, 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

  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, Shake Shack fell from 9th to 11th among fast food chains worldwide.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

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

Chick-fil-A

2 branded search terms

  • chick fil a
  • chickfila

Shake Shack

1 branded search term

  • shake shack

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among fast food chains

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