Brandwave

KFC vs Texas Chicken:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, KFC had more branded searches than Texas Chicken among fried chicken chains in New Zealand. KFC had about 189,000 branded searches, while Texas Chicken had 6,600. KFC made up 72.3% of all fried chicken chain searches we track, and Texas Chicken accounted for 2.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fried chicken chains, KFC appeared in all three answers and Texas Chicken in two. KFC was mentioned before Texas Chicken in every answer.

Among fried chicken chains in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

KFC, about 29 searches for every 1 for Texas Chicken

KFC 189K searchesTexas Chicken 6.6K searches

Who does AI mention more?

KFC, mentioned in every answer we collected

KFC in 3 of 3Texas Chicken in 2 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

KFC, named ahead of Texas Chicken in every answer

KFC first in 3Texas Chicken never first

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Top fried chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, KFC appeared in all three answers. Texas Chicken was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. KFC was listed before Texas Chicken in every answer.

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.

Is KFC or Texas Chicken more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for KFC and Texas Chicken by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five fried chicken chains we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

KFC and Texas Chicken among fried chicken chains in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for KFC, 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%

How has the KFC and Texas Chicken comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • KFC was ahead of Texas Chicken in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KFC’s share of searches among fried chicken chains in New Zealand moved from 77.7% to 72.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 317K to 189K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Texas Chicken’s share of searches among fried chicken chains in New Zealand moved from 2% to 2.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 6.6K.

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

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

  2. 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 branded searches counted?

16 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using KFC’s and Texas Chicken’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.

KFC

15 branded search terms

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

Texas Chicken

1 branded search term

  • texas chicken

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among fried chicken chains

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