Brandwave

How popular isKFC in search?

In August 2026, there were an estimated 301K branded searches for KFC in New Zealand which is down 34.2% over the last 11 months. KFC holds 28.5% estimated Share of Search among New Zealand fast food chains and is ranked 1st of 12 competitors for search popularity.

Share of Search, August 2026
  1. KFC28.5%
  2. McDonald's26.1%
  3. Burger King14.5%
  4. Taco Bell6.9%
  5. Subway4.9%
  6. Wendy's4.4%
  7. Popeyes3.9%
  8. Carl's Jr.3.4%
  9. Pita Pit2.9%
  10. Nando's2.8%
  11. +2 more
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Which fast food chains compete with KFC?

KFC against fast food chains in New Zealand, by month

Share of Search by month for KFC, McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway, Wendy's, Popeyes, Carl's Jr., Pita Pit, Nando's. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of search table
MonthKFCMcDonald'sBurger KingTaco BellSubwayWendy'sPopeyesCarl's Jr.Pita PitNando'sZambreroMexicali Fresh
Oct 202534%25.7%14.5%4.4%3.8%3.9%3.5%3.8%2.7%2.1%0.83%0.62%
Nov 202531%28.5%13.5%4.8%4.2%4.2%3.8%3%3.1%2.2%0.93%0.66%
Dec 202528.2%31.8%13.5%6%4.2%3.9%3.4%2.5%2.7%2.1%1%0.59%
Jan 202623.8%32.5%14.8%6.4%4.8%4.4%3.7%2.8%3.1%2.2%0.93%0.65%
Feb 202625.8%32.1%14.2%6%4.3%3.9%3.4%3%3.5%2.2%1%0.7%
Mar 202625.2%31.1%14.3%6.1%5.1%4.7%3.3%2.9%3.3%2.4%0.99%0.67%
Apr 202625.5%31.4%14.4%6.2%5%4%3.6%3%2.8%2.5%0.99%0.57%
May 202627.4%27.1%16.7%6.4%4.4%3.9%3.7%3.1%2.8%2.8%1%0.6%
Jun 202628.8%25.8%15.5%6.7%4.7%4.2%3.8%3.3%2.8%2.7%1%0.62%
Jul 202629.1%25.9%14.4%7.3%4.6%4.4%3.7%3.3%2.9%2.9%0.94%0.64%
Aug 202628.5%26.1%14.5%6.9%4.9%4.4%3.9%3.4%2.9%2.8%0.95%0.67%
Sep 2026————————————

  1. 1.KFC

    28.5%

    held 1st · 301K estimated branded searches · -4.2% vs prior month · -0.5 points

  2. 2.McDonald's

    26.1%

    held 2nd · 276K estimated branded searches · -1.5% vs prior month · +0.2 points

  3. 3.Burger King

    14.5%

    held 3rd · 153K estimated branded searches · -1.4% vs prior month · +0.1 points

  4. 4.Taco Bell

    6.9%

    held 4th · 72.9K estimated branded searches · -7.5% vs prior month · -0.4 points

  5. 5.Subway

    4.9%

    held 5th · 51.3K estimated branded searches · +2.4% vs prior month · +0.2 points

  6. 6.Wendy's

    4.4%

    held 6th · 46.9K estimated branded searches · -1.6% vs prior month · 0 points

  7. 7.Popeyes

    3.9%

    held 7th · 41.2K estimated branded searches · +4% vs prior month · +0.2 points

  8. 8.Carl's Jr.

    3.4%

    held 8th · 36.1K estimated branded searches · -0.08% vs prior month · +0.1 points

  9. 9.Pita Pit

    2.9%

    moved from 10th to 9th · 31K estimated branded searches · +0.62% vs prior month · +0.1 points

  10. 10.Nando's

    2.8%

    moved from 9th to 10th · 29.2K estimated branded searches · -7.7% vs prior month · -0.2 points

  11. 11.Zambrero

    0.95%

    held 11th · 10K estimated branded searches · -2.3% vs prior month · 0 points

  12. 12.Mexicali Fresh

    0.67%

    held 12th · 7.1K estimated branded searches · +2.3% vs prior month · 0 points

Compare search popularity between KFC and its closest rivals

How has branded search demand for KFC changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

  • Across the 11 months ending August 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for KFC in New Zealand fell from 458K to 301K.
  • Across the 11 months ending August 2026, KFC’s estimated Share of Search among fast food chains in New Zealand decreased from 34% to 28.5%.
  • Across the 11 months ending August 2026, KFC’s estimated Share of Search among fast food chains in New Zealand peaked at 34% in October 2025 and was lowest at 23.8% in January 2026.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand fast food chains in August 2026?

  1. In August 2026, KFC lost estimated Share of Search among fast food chains in New Zealand, from 29.1% to 28.5%.

  2. Wendy's’ estimated Share of Search among fast food chains in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 3.9% to 4.4% in August 2026.

  3. In August 2026, Pita Pit rose from 10th to 9th among fast food chains in New Zealand.

  4. In August 2026, Nando's fell from 9th to 10th among fast food chains in New Zealand.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Taco Bell in New Zealand rose 24.4% over 11 measured months, from 58.6K to 72.9K in August 2026.

  6. Estimated monthly branded searches for Carl's Jr. in New Zealand fell 30.1% over 11 measured months, from 51.6K to 36.1K in August 2026.

Which fried chicken chains compete with KFC?

KFC against fried chicken chains in New Zealand, by month

Share of Search by month for KFC, Popeyes, Nando's. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of search table
MonthKFCPopeyesNando'sLord of the Fries
Oct 202585.7%8.9%5.4%0.11%
Nov 202583.7%10.2%6%0.13%
Dec 202583.6%10%6.2%0.15%
Jan 202680%12.3%7.5%0.16%
Feb 202682.1%10.8%6.9%0.2%
Mar 202681.4%10.6%7.8%0.17%
Apr 202680.5%11.3%8%0.14%
May 202680.7%10.8%8.4%0.13%
Jun 202681.4%10.7%7.7%0.11%
Jul 202681.4%10.3%8.2%0.11%
Aug 202681%11.1%7.8%0.12%
Sep 2026————

  1. 1.KFC

    81%

    held 1st · 301K estimated branded searches · -4.2% vs prior month · -0.5 points

  2. 2.Popeyes

    11.1%

    held 2nd · 41.2K estimated branded searches · +4% vs prior month · +0.8 points

  3. 3.Nando's

    7.8%

    held 3rd · 29.2K estimated branded searches · -7.7% vs prior month · -0.4 points

  4. 4.Lord of the Fries

    0.12%

    held 4th · 430 estimated branded searches · +2.4% vs prior month · 0 points

Compare search popularity between KFC and its closest rivals

How has branded search demand for KFC changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

  • Across the 11 months ending August 2026, KFC’s estimated Share of Search among fried chicken chains in New Zealand decreased from 85.7% to 81%.
  • Across the 11 months ending August 2026, KFC’s estimated Share of Search among fried chicken chains in New Zealand peaked at 85.7% in October 2025 and was lowest at 80% in January 2026.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand fried chicken chains in August 2026?

  1. In August 2026, Popeyes gained estimated Share of Search among fried chicken chains in New Zealand, from 10.3% to 11.1%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for KFC in New Zealand fell 34.2% over 11 measured months, from 458K to 301K in August 2026.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Lord of the Fries in New Zealand fell 25.9% over 11 measured months, from 580 to 430 in August 2026.

How is KFC measured?

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using KFC’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

23 branded search terms

  • kfc
  • kfc bombay
  • kfc botany
  • kfc bucket
  • kfc c
  • kfc chicken
  • kfc co nz
  • kfc deals
  • kfc deals with prices
  • kfc delivery
  • kfc eastgate
  • kfc henderson
  • kfc lynfield
  • kfc menu
  • kfc near me
  • kfc nz
  • kfc online
  • kfc pakuranga
  • kfc panmure
  • kfc richmond
  • kfc snack box
  • kfc sylvia park
  • kfc trading hours

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How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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