Brandwave

BurgerFuel vs Popeyes:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, BurgerFuel and Popeyes were level in searches among fast food chains in New Zealand, with an estimated 27.1K versus 26.5K branded searches, at 3.1% and 3% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fast food chains, BurgerFuel appeared in all three answers and Popeyes in none.

Among fast food chains in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

BurgerFuel and Popeyes are searched for about as often as each other.

BurgerFuel 27.1K searchesPopeyes 26.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

BurgerFuel, mentioned in every answer we collected

BurgerFuel in 3 of 3Popeyes in 0 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

BurgerFuel, the only one of the two named

BurgerFuel first in 3Popeyes never named

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Top fast food chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, BurgerFuel appeared in all three answers. Popeyes did not appear in any of the three answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. BurgerFuel1st
  2. McDonald's2nd
  3. KFC3rd
  4. Wendy's4th
  5. Subway5th
  6. Hell Pizza6th
  7. Carl's Jr.7th
  8. Taco Bell8th
  9. Pita Pit9th
  10. +2 more
  11. Popeyes–
  12. +2 more

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
  • McDonald's3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • BurgerFuel3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Subway3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Wendy's2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Hell Pizza1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Taco Bell1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Carl's Jr.1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Pita Pit1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Popeyes0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers

+4 more

See every answer about fast food chains

3 answers

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 BurgerFuel or Popeyes more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for BurgerFuel and Popeyes by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 fast food chains we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

BurgerFuel and Popeyes among fast food chains in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for BurgerFuel, Popeyes. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKFCMcDonald'sBurger KingHell PizzaTaco BellNando'sWendy'sCarl's Jr.BurgerFuelPopeyesPita PitZambreroSubwayMexicali Fresh
Oct 202531%21.6%11.9%10.1%3.6%3.9%3.6%4%2.8%3.4%2.2%0.84%0.59%0.48%
Nov 202528.7%23.8%11.4%9.4%4%4.3%3.9%3.1%3.1%3.6%2.5%0.95%0.64%0.54%
Dec 202526.5%25.6%11.8%10%5.4%3.9%3.6%2.7%2.8%3.3%2.3%1%0.48%0.48%
Jan 202621.6%28%12.9%9.1%5.7%4.3%4.1%3%3.1%3.6%2.5%0.96%0.64%0.53%
Feb 202623.8%26.5%12.2%10.2%5.2%4%3.6%3.3%2.8%3.3%2.9%1%0.61%0.59%
Mar 202623.5%26.6%12.3%9.8%5.2%4.2%4.2%3.3%2.7%3.3%2.7%1%0.7%0.56%
Apr 202623.6%26.7%12.3%9.8%5.4%4.3%3.6%3.4%3.3%3.3%2.2%1%0.67%0.46%
May 202624.7%23.2%14.2%9.9%5.5%4.5%3.5%3.4%3.3%3.5%2.2%1%0.69%0.47%
Jun 202626.2%21%13.5%10.5%5.7%4.2%3.8%3.5%3.6%3.6%2.3%1.1%0.74%0.5%
Jul 202626.6%21.3%11.7%10.5%6%4.8%3.9%3.6%3.6%3.5%2.3%0.91%0.73%0.51%
Aug 202626.2%21%11.9%11%5.9%4.8%4%3.7%3.1%3.7%2.4%0.96%0.82%0.53%
Sep 202626.5%21%13.8%9.1%5.8%4.8%4.1%3.8%3.1%3%2.4%0.98%0.89%0.54%

How has the BurgerFuel and Popeyes comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 5 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: BurgerFuel took it in April 2026, Popeyes took it in May 2026, BurgerFuel took it in July 2026, Popeyes took it in August 2026, BurgerFuel took it in September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BurgerFuel’s share of searches among fast food chains in New Zealand moved from 2.8% to 3.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.1K to 27.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Popeyes’ share of searches among fast food chains in New Zealand moved from 3.4% to 3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.3K to 26.5K.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Popeyes lost share of searches among fast food chains in New Zealand, from 3.7% to 3%.

  2. In September 2026, BurgerFuel rose from 10th to 9th among fast food chains in New Zealand.

How are branded searches counted?

14 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using BurgerFuel’s and Popeyes’ 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.

BurgerFuel

2 branded search terms

  • burger fuel
  • burgerfuel

Popeyes

12 branded search terms

  • popeyes
  • popeyes burger
  • popeyes chicken
  • popeyes chicken sandwich
  • popeyes delivery
  • popeyes food
  • popeyes fried chicken
  • popeyes hours
  • popeyes louisiana kitchen
  • popeyes menu
  • popeyes sandwich
  • popeyes takeaway

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among fast food chains

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