Brandwave

Shake Shack vs Subway:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Subway had more branded searches than Shake Shack among fast food chains worldwide. Subway had about 20.4 million branded searches, while Shake Shack had 2.2 million. Subway made up 8.4% 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 Subway in one. Shake Shack and Subway were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.

Among fast food chains worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Subway, about 9 searches for every 1 for Shake Shack

Subway 20.4M searchesShake Shack 2.2M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Shake Shack, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Subway in 1

Shake Shack in 2 of 4Subway in 1 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.

Shake Shack first in 1Subway first in 1

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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. Subway was mentioned in one out of four: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in the Google AI Overview. Shake Shack and Subway were each listed first in one of the two answers that named either.

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 Shake Shack or Subway more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Shake Shack and Subway 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.

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

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

3 findings
  • Subway was ahead of Shake Shack in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • 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.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Subway’s share of searches among fast food chains worldwide moved from 8.3% to 8.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 20.4M.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Subway gained share of searches among fast food chains worldwide, from 7.5% to 8.4%.

  2. 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 Shake Shack’s and Subway’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.

Shake Shack

1 branded search term

  • shake shack

Subway

1 branded search term

  • subway

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among fast food chains

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