Brandwave

KFC vs Raising Cane’s:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, KFC had more branded searches than Raising Cane’s among fast food chains worldwide. KFC had about 24.9 million branded searches, while Raising Cane’s had 2.2 million. KFC made up 10.3% of all fast food chain searches we track, and Raising Cane’s accounted for 0.92%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fast food chains, Raising Cane’s appeared in two of the four answers and KFC in none.

Among fast food chains worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

KFC, about 11 searches for every 1 for Raising Cane’s

KFC 24.9M searchesRaising Cane’s 2.2M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Raising Cane’s, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, KFC in 0

Raising Cane’s in 2 of 4KFC in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Raising Cane’s, the only one of the two named

Raising Cane’s first in 2KFC 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, Raising Cane’s was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. KFC 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. 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 KFC or Raising Cane’s more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for KFC and Raising Cane’s 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.

KFC and Raising Cane’s among fast food chains worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for KFC, Raising Cane’s. 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 KFC and Raising Cane’s comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • KFC was ahead of Raising Cane’s in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • 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.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Raising Cane’s’ share of searches among fast food chains worldwide moved from 0.74% to 0.92%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.8M to 2.2M.

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

3 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, KFC lost share of searches among fast food chains worldwide, from 11.1% to 10.3%.

  3. In September 2026, Raising Cane’s rose from 11th to 10th among fast food chains worldwide.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using KFC’s and Raising Cane’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.

KFC

1 branded search term

  • kfc

Raising Cane’s

2 branded search terms

  • raising cane's
  • raising canes

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among fast food chains

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