Mad Mex vs Zambrero:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Zambrero had more branded searches than Mad Mex among mexican fast casual chains in New Zealand. Zambrero had about 8,320 branded searches, while Mad Mex had 320. Zambrero made up 14.2% 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, Zambrero appeared in all four answers and Mad Mex in two. Zambrero was mentioned before Mad Mex in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Zambrero, about 26 searches for every 1 for Mad Mex
Who does AI mention more?
Zambrero, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Zambrero, named ahead of Mad Mex in every answer
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Top mexican fast casual chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Zambrero appeared in all four answers. Mad Mex was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Zambrero was listed before Mad Mex in every answer.
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 Zambrero more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Mad Mex and Zambrero 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 Zambrero, 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 Zambrero comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Zambrero 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, Zambrero’s share of searches among mexican fast casual chains in New Zealand moved from 18.2% to 14.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.7K to 8.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand mexican fast casual chains in September 2026?
1 change

Estimated monthly branded searches for Zambrero in New Zealand fell 14% over 12 measured months, from 9.7K to 8.3K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mad Mex’s and Zambrero’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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