Greene King vs Wetherspoons:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Wetherspoons had more branded searches than Greene King among pub chains in the United Kingdom. Wetherspoons had about 673,000 branded searches, while Greene King had 49,500. Wetherspoons made up 80.1% of all pub chain searches we track, and Greene King accounted for 5.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pub chains, Greene King and Wetherspoons each appeared in two of the four answers. Wetherspoons was mentioned before Greene King in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Wetherspoons, about 14 searches for every 1 for Greene King
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 2 of 4 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Wetherspoons, named ahead of Greene King in every answer
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Top pub chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Greene King and Wetherspoons were each mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Wetherspoons was listed before Greene King 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.
- 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
Ember Inns0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about pub chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best pub chain in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which pub chain is best for a cheap meal and a pint?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's a good pub near me for Sunday lunch?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pubs near me”
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.
Is Greene King or Wetherspoons more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Greene King and Wetherspoons by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 pub chains we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Wetherspoons, Greene King. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Wetherspoons | Greene King | Hungry Horse | Vintage Inns | Marston's | Sizzling Pubs | Chef & Brewer | Ember Inns | Fuller's | Young's | Nicholson’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 78.8% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.28% | 0.12% | 0.34% |
| Nov 2025 | 79.8% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.28% | 0.13% | 0.28% |
| Dec 2025 | 81.4% | 7.3% | 4% | 1.8% | 0.8% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.29% | 0.1% | 0.16% |
| Jan 2026 | 78.3% | 7% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 0.34% | 0.18% | 0.15% |
| Feb 2026 | 79.2% | 7.1% | 4.8% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.23% | 0.18% | 0.13% |
| Mar 2026 | 78.5% | 8.6% | 4.7% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.23% | 0.23% | 0.18% |
| Apr 2026 | 77.4% | 7% | 5.7% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.28% | 0.33% | 0.22% |
| May 2026 | 77.4% | 7% | 5.7% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.28% | 0.28% | 0.33% |
| Jun 2026 | 80.5% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.29% | 0.29% | 0.29% |
| Jul 2026 | 77.9% | 7% | 5.7% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.28% | 0.34% | 0.28% |
| Aug 2026 | 79.7% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.23% | 0.23% | 0.23% |
| Sep 2026 | 80.1% | 5.9% | 4.8% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.35% | 0.35% | 0.23% |
How has the Greene King and Wetherspoons comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Wetherspoons was ahead of Greene King in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Greene King’s share of searches among pub chains in the United Kingdom moved from 7.1% to 5.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wetherspoons’ share of searches among pub chains in the United Kingdom moved from 78.8% to 80.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 673K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom pub chains in September 2026?
2 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for Greene King in the United Kingdom fell 33.1% over 12 measured months, from 74K to 49.5K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Wetherspoons in the United Kingdom fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 823K to 673K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Greene King’s and Wetherspoons’ 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.
Greene King
1 branded search term
- greene king
Wetherspoons
1 branded search term
- wetherspoons
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