Popeyes vs Texas Chicken:Which is more popular?

Name: Popeyes vs Texas Chicken: Which is searched more in New Zealand?
Creator: Brandwave
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In September 2026, Popeyes had more branded searches than Texas Chicken among fried chicken chains in New Zealand. Popeyes had about 23,500 branded searches, while Texas Chicken had 6,600. Popeyes made up 9% 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, Popeyes appeared in all three answers and Texas Chicken in two. Popeyes was mentioned before Texas Chicken in every answer.

Among fried chicken chains in New Zealand in September 2026

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Top fried chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Popeyes appeared in all three answers. Texas Chicken was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Popeyes 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.

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

How many AI answers named each brand
Brand	ChatGPT	Answers that named it
KFC	Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers	3 of 3
Popeyes	Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers	3 of 3
Texas Chicken	Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers	2 of 3
Nando's	Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers	0 of 3
Lord of the Fries	Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers	0 of 3

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 Popeyes or Texas Chicken more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Popeyes 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.

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

Month	KFC	Nando's	Popeyes	Texas Chicken	Lord of the Fries
Oct 2025	77.7%	11.4%	8.8%	2%	0.12%
Nov 2025	74.6%	13%	9.9%	2.3%	0.14%
Dec 2025	74.8%	12.7%	9.6%	2.7%	0.16%
Jan 2026	67.6%	16.2%	12.5%	3.5%	0.17%
Feb 2026	71%	14.6%	11%	3.1%	0.22%
Mar 2026	70.7%	15.3%	10.8%	3%	0.18%
Apr 2026	70.6%	15.5%	10.8%	3%	0.14%
May 2026	69.7%	16.1%	11.1%	2.9%	0.14%
Jun 2026	71.9%	14.4%	11.1%	2.5%	0.12%
Jul 2026	70.2%	15.8%	10.3%	3.6%	0.12%
Aug 2026	70.5%	15.7%	10.7%	3%	0.12%
Sep 2026	72.3%	16.1%	9%	2.5%	0.1%

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

3 findings

Popeyes was ahead of Texas Chicken in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Popeyes’ share of searches among fried chicken chains in New Zealand moved from 8.8% to 9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 35.7K to 23.5K.
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

In September 2026, Popeyes lost share of searches among fried chicken chains in New Zealand, from 10.7% to 9%.
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?

11 search terms

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