Brandwave

How popular isNicholson’s?

In September 2026, people searched for Nicholson’s by name about 1,900 times in the United Kingdom, a 47.2% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 0.23% of all United Kingdom pub chain searches, placing Nicholson’s 11th out of 11 chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pub chains, Nicholson’s did not appear in any of the answers.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Nicholson’s is the 11th most searched of 11 competitors and not listed in any AI answer.

  1. WetherspoonsShare of searches 80.1%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  2. Greene KingShare of searches 5.9%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  3. Hungry HorseShare of searches 4.8%Mentioned in 1 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  4. Vintage InnsShare of searches 2.2%Mentioned in 0 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  5. Nicholson’sShare of searches 0.23%Mentioned in 0 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –

+6 more

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Top pub chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Nicholson’s did not appear in any of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Wetherspoons1st
  2. Greene King2nd
  3. Young's3rd
  4. Hungry Horse4th
  5. Fuller's5th
  6. Vintage Inns–
  7. Marston's–
  8. +1 more
  9. Chef & Brewer–
  10. Ember Inns–
  11. Nicholson’s–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Wetherspoons2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Greene King2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Hungry Horse1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Fuller's1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Young's1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Vintage Inns0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Marston's0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Sizzling Pubs0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Chef & Brewer0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Nicholson’s0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

+1 more

See every answer about pub chains

4 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best pub chain in the UK?”

    1. 1Wetherspoons
    2. 2Young's
    3. 3Greene King
    4. 4Fuller's

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which pub chain is best for a cheap meal and a pint?”

    1. 1Wetherspoons
    2. 2Hungry Horse
    3. 3Greene King

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's a good pub near me for Sunday lunch?”

    1. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “pubs near me”

      1. Searched Google, AI Overview

        “best pubs near me”

        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 United Kingdom on October 23, 2026.

      Which pub chains compete with Nicholson’s?

      Nicholson’s against pub chains in the United Kingdom, by month

      Share of searches by month for Wetherspoons, Greene King, Hungry Horse, Vintage Inns, Nicholson’s. The figures are in the table below the chart.

      View monthly share of searches table
      MonthWetherspoonsGreene KingHungry HorseVintage InnsMarston'sSizzling PubsChef & BrewerEmber InnsFuller'sYoung'sNicholson’s
      Oct 202578.8%7.1%5.8%1.7%1.2%1.7%1.7%1.2%0.28%0.12%0.34%
      Nov 202579.8%7.2%4.8%1.8%1.2%1.8%1.4%1.4%0.28%0.13%0.28%
      Dec 202581.4%7.3%4%1.8%0.8%1.5%1.5%1.2%0.29%0.1%0.16%
      Jan 202678.3%7%4.7%2.6%1.2%2.1%1.7%1.7%0.34%0.18%0.15%
      Feb 202679.2%7.1%4.8%1.7%1.2%2.6%1.7%1.2%0.23%0.18%0.13%
      Mar 202678.5%8.6%4.7%1.7%1.2%2.1%1.4%1.2%0.23%0.23%0.18%
      Apr 202677.4%7%5.7%2.1%1.4%2.6%1.7%1.4%0.28%0.33%0.22%
      May 202677.4%7%5.7%2.1%1.4%2.6%1.7%1.4%0.28%0.28%0.33%
      Jun 202680.5%5.9%4.8%1.8%1.4%1.8%1.4%1.4%0.29%0.29%0.29%
      Jul 202677.9%7%5.7%1.7%1.4%2.6%1.4%1.4%0.28%0.34%0.28%
      Aug 202679.7%5.9%5.9%1.8%1.8%1.8%1.4%1.2%0.23%0.23%0.23%
      Sep 202680.1%5.9%4.8%2.2%1.8%1.8%1.4%1.2%0.35%0.35%0.23%

      1. 1.Wetherspoons

        80.1%

        Held 1st. 673K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.

      2. 2.Greene King

        5.9%

        Held 2nd. 49.5K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

      3. 3.Hungry Horse

        4.8%

        Held 3rd. 40.5K estimated branded searches, -33.1% vs prior month. Share -1 points.

      4. 4.Vintage Inns

        2.2%

        Moved from 6th to 4th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.

      5. 5.Marston's

        1.8%

        Moved from 4th to 5th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

      6. 6.Sizzling Pubs

        1.8%

        Moved from 5th to 6th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

      7. 7.Chef & Brewer

        1.4%

        Held 7th. 12.1K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

      8. 8.Ember Inns

        1.2%

        Held 8th. 9.9K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

      9. 9.Fuller's

        0.35%

        Held 9th. 2.9K estimated branded searches, +20.8% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

      10. 10.Young's

        0.35%

        Moved from 11th to 10th. 2.9K estimated branded searches, +20.8% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

      11. 11.Nicholson’s

        0.23%

        Moved from 10th to 11th. 1.9K estimated branded searches, -20.8% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

      Compare popularity between Nicholson’s and its closest rivals

      Every comparison with Nicholson’s

      10 comparisons

      How has branded search demand for Nicholson’s changed in the United Kingdom over the last 12 months?

      2 findings
      • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Nicholson’s in the United Kingdom fell from 3.6K to 1.9K.
      • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nicholson’s fell from 9th to 11th among pub chains in the United Kingdom.

      How did search popularity change for United Kingdom pub chains in September 2026?

      6 changes

      1. In September 2026, Hungry Horse lost share of searches among pub chains in the United Kingdom, from 5.9% to 4.8%.

      2. In September 2026, Vintage Inns rose from 6th to 4th among pub chains in the United Kingdom.

      3. In September 2026, Young's rose from 11th to 10th among pub chains in the United Kingdom.

      4. In September 2026, Marston's fell from 4th to 5th among pub chains in the United Kingdom.

      5. In September 2026, Nicholson’s fell from 10th to 11th among pub chains in the United Kingdom.

      6. In September 2026, Sizzling Pubs fell from 5th to 6th among pub chains in the United Kingdom.

      How are Nicholson’s’ branded searches counted?

      1 search term

      Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Nicholson’s’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

      • nicholsons pubs

      How the Brand Demand Index is measured

      Who owns Nicholson’s?

      Nicholson’s is owned by Mitchells & Butlers. Brandwave also tracks Sizzling Pubs, Ember Inns and Vintage Inns, owned by the same company, in the United Kingdom.

      Do you work for Nicholson’s? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

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