How popular isLone Star?
In September 2026, people searched for Lone Star by name about 12,500 times in New Zealand, a 12.3% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 13.9% of all New Zealand casual dining chain searches, placing Lone Star second out of six chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about casual dining chains, Lone Star appeared in two of the five answers and was the second most recommended of the six.
Lone Star is the second most searched of 6 competitors and the second most recommended in AI answers.
Nando'sShare of searches 46.7%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Lone StarShare of searches 13.9%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Denny'sShare of searches 13.6%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
Speight's Ale HouseShare of searches 11.4%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th- The Good HomeShare of searches 7.3%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
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Top casual dining chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Lone Star was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Lone Star is the second most recommended of the six.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Nando's1st
- Lone Star2nd
Cobb & Co3rd- Denny's4th
- The Good Home5th
- Speight's Ale House6th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Nando's2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Lone Star2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Denny's2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- The Good Home2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Cobb & Co2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Speight's Ale House1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about casual dining chains
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which casual dining chain should I go to in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best casual dining chains in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best casual dining chain in New Zealand for a family meal?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“casual restaurants auckland”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“family dinner out”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Which casual dining chains compete with Lone Star?
Share of searches by month for Nando's, Lone Star, Denny's, Speight's Ale House, The Good Home, Cobb & Co. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Nando's | Lone Star | Denny's | Speight's Ale House | The Good Home | Cobb & Co |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 48.2% | 14.7% | 13.2% | 10.8% | 6.8% | 6.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 46.6% | 14.6% | 12.6% | 12.8% | 8.3% | 5.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 42.6% | 16.5% | 13.6% | 14% | 7.4% | 5.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.6% | 16.8% | 11.5% | 14.2% | 7.6% | 7.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 43.5% | 16.6% | 11.6% | 14.1% | 7.4% | 6.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.2% | 14.2% | 11.6% | 14.2% | 7.5% | 5.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 45.8% | 13.6% | 13.5% | 13.6% | 7.2% | 6.3% |
| May 2026 | 48.4% | 16.4% | 11% | 11.1% | 7.1% | 5.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 46.2% | 15% | 12.2% | 12.3% | 7.9% | 6.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 46.7% | 15.7% | 11.3% | 11% | 7.1% | 8.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 48.4% | 14.4% | 11.7% | 11.8% | 7.5% | 6.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 46.7% | 13.9% | 13.6% | 11.4% | 7.3% | 7.2% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 46.7% | 42.1K | -0.68% | -1.8 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 13.9% | 12.5K | -0.4% | -0.5 points | |
| 3, moved from 4th to 3rd | 13.6% | 12.2K | +19.9% | +1.9 pointsmoved from 4th to 3rd | |
| 4, moved from 3rd to 4th | 11.4% | 10.3K | 0% | -0.4 pointsmoved from 3rd to 4th | |
| 5, held 5th | 7.3% | 6.6K | 0% | -0.2 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 7.2% | 6.5K | +18.6% | +0.9 points |
1.
Nando's46.7%
Held 1st. 42.1K estimated branded searches, -0.68% vs prior month. Share -1.8 points.
13.9%
Held 2nd. 12.5K estimated branded searches, -0.4% vs prior month. Share -0.5 points.
3.
Denny's13.6%
Moved from 4th to 3rd. 12.2K estimated branded searches, +19.9% vs prior month. Share +1.9 points.
11.4%
Moved from 3rd to 4th. 10.3K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
7.3%
Held 5th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
7.2%
Held 6th. 6.5K estimated branded searches, +18.6% vs prior month. Share +0.9 points.
Compare popularity between Lone Star and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Lone Star
5 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Lone Star changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Lone Star in New Zealand fell from 14.3K to 12.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lone Star’s share of searches among casual dining chains in New Zealand decreased from 14.7% to 13.9%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lone Star’s share of searches among casual dining chains in New Zealand peaked at 16.8% in January 2026 and was lowest at 13.6% in April 2026.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand casual dining chains in September 2026?
4 changes
In September 2026, Denny's overtook Speight's Ale House to rank 3rd among casual dining chains in New Zealand, with 13.6% of the searches.
In September 2026, Cobb & Co gained share of searches among casual dining chains in New Zealand, from 6.2% to 7.2%.
In September 2026, Nando's lost share of searches among casual dining chains in New Zealand, from 48.4% to 46.7%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Lone Star in New Zealand fell 12.3% over 12 measured months, from 14.3K to 12.5K in September 2026.
How are Lone Star’s branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Lone Star’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.
- lone star
- lone star menu
- lone star restaurant
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