Brandwave

Shake Shack vs Taco Bell:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Taco Bell had more branded searches than Shake Shack among fast food chains worldwide. Taco Bell had about 16.6 million branded searches, while Shake Shack had 2.2 million. Taco Bell made up 6.9% 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, Taco Bell appeared in all four answers and Shake Shack in two. Taco Bell was mentioned before Shake Shack in every answer.

Among fast food chains worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Taco Bell, about 7 searches for every 1 for Shake Shack

Taco Bell 16.6M searchesShake Shack 2.2M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Taco Bell, mentioned in every answer we collected

Taco Bell in 4 of 4Shake Shack in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Taco Bell, named ahead of Shake Shack in every answer

Taco Bell first in 4Shake Shack never first

Follow Shake Shack vs Taco Bell and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top fast food chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Taco Bell 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. Taco Bell 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 Shake Shack or Taco Bell more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Shake Shack and Taco Bell 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 Taco Bell among fast food chains worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Taco Bell, 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 Taco Bell comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Taco Bell 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, Taco Bell’s share of searches among fast food chains worldwide moved from 6.7% to 6.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 16.6M.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Taco Bell gained share of searches among fast food chains worldwide, from 6.1% to 6.9%.

  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 Taco Bell’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

Taco Bell

1 branded search term

  • taco bell

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among fast food chains

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free