Brandwave

KFC vs Shake Shack:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, KFC had more branded searches than Shake Shack among fast food chains worldwide. KFC had about 24.9 million branded searches, while Shake Shack had 2.2 million. KFC 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, Shake Shack 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 Shake Shack

KFC 24.9M searchesShake Shack 2.2M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Shake Shack, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, KFC in 0

Shake Shack in 2 of 4KFC in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Shake Shack, the only one of the two named

Shake Shack 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, Shake Shack 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 Shake Shack more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for KFC 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.

KFC and Shake Shack among fast food chains worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for KFC, 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 KFC and Shake Shack comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • KFC was ahead of Shake Shack 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, 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?

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, 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 KFC’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.

KFC

1 branded search term

  • kfc

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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