Mad Mex vs Taco Bell:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Taco Bell had more branded searches than Mad Mex among mexican fast casual chains in New Zealand. Taco Bell had about 45,600 branded searches, while Mad Mex had 320. Taco Bell made up 77.5% of all mexican fast casual chain searches we track, and Mad Mex accounted for 0.54%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mexican fast casual chains, Taco Bell appeared in three of the four answers and Mad Mex in two. Taco Bell was mentioned before Mad Mex in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Taco Bell, about 142 searches for every 1 for Mad Mex
Who does AI mention more?
Taco Bell, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Mad Mex in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Taco Bell, named ahead of Mad Mex in 3 of 4 answers
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Top mexican fast casual chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Taco Bell was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Mad Mex was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Taco Bell was listed before Mad Mex in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mexicali Fresh1st
Zambrero2nd- Taco Bell3rd
- Mad Mex4th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Zambrero4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Mexicali Fresh4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Taco Bell3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Mad Mex2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about mexican fast casual chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Mexican fast casual chain should I shop at in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best Mexican fast casual chains in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best Mexican fast casual chain in New Zealand for burritos and tacos?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“casual mexican restaurants”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“mexican fast casual nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Mad Mex or Taco Bell more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Mad Mex and Taco Bell by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four mexican fast casual chains we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Taco Bell, Mad Mex. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Taco Bell | Zambrero | Mexicali Fresh | Mad Mex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 70.7% | 18.2% | 10.5% | 0.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 70.8% | 18.1% | 10.4% | 0.72% |
| Dec 2025 | 76.4% | 15.9% | 7.3% | 0.42% |
| Jan 2026 | 77.7% | 14% | 7.8% | 0.54% |
| Feb 2026 | 74.2% | 16.1% | 9.1% | 0.52% |
| Mar 2026 | 74.6% | 16% | 8.8% | 0.52% |
| Apr 2026 | 76.1% | 16% | 7.3% | 0.64% |
| May 2026 | 75.7% | 16.2% | 7.4% | 0.64% |
| Jun 2026 | 76.2% | 15.8% | 7.5% | 0.53% |
| Jul 2026 | 78% | 13.7% | 7.7% | 0.66% |
| Aug 2026 | 77.7% | 14% | 7.7% | 0.66% |
| Sep 2026 | 77.5% | 14.2% | 7.8% | 0.54% |
How has the Mad Mex and Taco Bell comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Taco Bell was ahead of Mad Mex in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mad Mex’s share of searches among mexican fast casual chains in New Zealand moved from 0.6% to 0.54%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 320.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Taco Bell’s share of searches among mexican fast casual chains in New Zealand moved from 70.7% to 77.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 37.6K to 45.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand mexican fast casual chains in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for Taco Bell in New Zealand rose 21.2% over 12 measured months, from 37.6K to 45.5K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
13 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mad Mex’s and Taco Bell’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.
Other head-to-heads among mexican fast casual chains
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