Brandwave

How popular isKFC?

In September 2026, people searched for KFC by name about 232,000 times in New Zealand, a 37.2% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 72.3% of all New Zealand fried chicken chain searches, placing KFC first out of five chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fried chicken chains, KFC appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the five.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

KFC is the most searched of 5 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. KFCShare of searches 72.3%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  2. Nando'sShare of searches 16.1%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  3. PopeyesShare of searches 9%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  4. Texas ChickenShare of searches 2.5%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  5. Lord of the FriesShare of searches 0.1%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
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Top fried chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, KFC appeared in all three answers. KFC is the most recommended of the five.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. KFC1st
  2. Popeyes2nd
  3. Texas Chicken3rd
  4. Nando's–
  5. Lord of the Fries–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • KFC3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Popeyes3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Texas Chicken2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Nando's0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Lord of the Fries0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers

See every answer about fried chicken chains

3 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which fried chicken chain should I shop at in New Zealand?”

    1. 1KFC
    2. 2Popeyes
    3. 3Texas Chicken

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best fried chicken chains in New Zealand?”

    1. 1KFC
    2. 2Popeyes
    3. 3Texas Chicken

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best fried chicken chain in New Zealand for a quick dinner?”

    1. 1KFC
    2. 2Popeyes

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “fried chicken nz”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “fried chicken takeaway”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Which fried chicken chains compete with KFC?

KFC against fried chicken chains in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKFCNando'sPopeyesTexas ChickenLord of the Fries
Oct 202577.7%11.4%8.8%2%0.12%
Nov 202574.6%13%9.9%2.3%0.14%
Dec 202574.8%12.7%9.6%2.7%0.16%
Jan 202667.6%16.2%12.5%3.5%0.17%
Feb 202671%14.6%11%3.1%0.22%
Mar 202670.7%15.3%10.8%3%0.18%
Apr 202670.6%15.5%10.8%3%0.14%
May 202669.7%16.1%11.1%2.9%0.14%
Jun 202671.9%14.4%11.1%2.5%0.12%
Jul 202670.2%15.8%10.3%3.6%0.12%
Aug 202670.5%15.7%10.7%3%0.12%
Sep 202672.3%16.1%9%2.5%0.1%

  1. 1.KFC

    72.3%

    Held 1st. 189K estimated branded searches, -0.23% vs prior month. Share +1.9 points.

  2. 2.Nando's

    16.1%

    Held 2nd. 42.1K estimated branded searches, -0.68% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.

  3. 3.Popeyes

    9%

    Held 3rd. 23.5K estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -1.7 points.

  4. 4.Texas Chicken

    2.5%

    Held 4th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.

  5. 5.Lord of the Fries

    0.1%

    Held 5th. 260 estimated branded searches, -18.8% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between KFC and its closest rivals

Every comparison with KFC

15 comparisons

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

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for KFC in New Zealand fell from 369K to 232K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KFC’s share of searches among fried chicken chains in New Zealand decreased from 77.7% to 72.3%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KFC’s share of searches among fried chicken chains in New Zealand peaked at 77.7% in October 2025 and was lowest at 67.6% in January 2026.

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

4 changes

  1. In September 2026, KFC gained share of searches among fried chicken chains in New Zealand, from 70.5% to 72.3%.

  2. In September 2026, Popeyes lost share of searches among fried chicken chains in New Zealand, from 10.7% to 9%.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Lord of the Fries in New Zealand fell 45.8% over 12 measured months, from 480 to 260 in September 2026.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for Texas Chicken in New Zealand fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 8.1K to 6.6K in September 2026.

How are KFC’s branded searches counted?

17 search terms

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.

  • kfc
  • kfc bombay
  • kfc botany
  • kfc bucket
  • kfc c
  • kfc chicken
  • kfc delivery
  • kfc eastgate
  • kfc henderson
  • kfc lynfield
  • kfc menu
  • kfc pakuranga
  • kfc panmure
  • kfc richmond
  • kfc snack box
  • kfc sylvia park
  • kfc trading hours

Do you work for KFC? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does KFC compete?

KFC is ranked in two competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Fast food chains1st of 1426.5%Show ranking
Fried chicken chains1st of 572.3%Shown above
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Is KFC your brand?

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