Papa Johns vs PizzaExpress:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, PizzaExpress had more branded searches than Papa Johns among pizza chains in the United Kingdom. PizzaExpress had about 823,000 branded searches, while Papa Johns had 301,000. PizzaExpress made up 30.1% of all pizza chain searches we track, and Papa Johns accounted for 11%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pizza chains, Papa Johns and PizzaExpress each appeared in two of the four answers. PizzaExpress was mentioned before Papa Johns in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
PizzaExpress, about 3 searches for every 1 for Papa Johns
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 2 of 4 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
PizzaExpress, named ahead of Papa Johns in 2 of 3 answers
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Top pizza chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Papa Johns and PizzaExpress were each mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. PizzaExpress was listed before Papa Johns in two out of three answers.
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.
Domino's3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- PizzaExpress2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Pizza Hut2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Papa Johns2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Franco Manca2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Pizza Pilgrims2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Rudy's Pizza Napoletana2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about pizza chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which pizza chain has the best pizza in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best pizza chains in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which pizza chain in the UK is best for delivery?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pizza delivery”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pizza restaurants”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 22, 2026.
Is Papa Johns or PizzaExpress more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Papa Johns and PizzaExpress by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven pizza chains we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for PizzaExpress, Papa Johns. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Domino's | PizzaExpress | Pizza Hut | Papa Johns | Franco Manca | Pizza Pilgrims | Rudy's Pizza Napoletana |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 32.2% | 17.8% | 32.2% | 9.7% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 1.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 40.2% | 22.1% | 22.1% | 8.1% | 3% | 3% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.2% | 22.6% | 18.5% | 10.1% | 3% | 3% | 1.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.3% | 24.5% | 20% | 9% | 6% | 2.7% | 1.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 38.7% | 26.1% | 17.4% | 9.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 1.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 38.9% | 26.2% | 17.5% | 9.6% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 38.9% | 26.2% | 17.5% | 9.6% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.9% |
| May 2026 | 38.8% | 26.2% | 17.5% | 9.6% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 1.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 36.3% | 29.8% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 2.2% | 2.7% | 1.8% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.4% | 30% | 16.4% | 11% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 33.1% | 33.1% | 18.2% | 10% | 2% | 2% | 1.6% |
| Sep 2026 | 36.6% | 30.1% | 16.5% | 11% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.8% |
How has the Papa Johns and PizzaExpress comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- PizzaExpress was ahead of Papa Johns in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Papa Johns’ share of searches among pizza chains in the United Kingdom moved from 9.7% to 11%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 301K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PizzaExpress’ share of searches among pizza chains in the United Kingdom moved from 17.8% to 30.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 673K to 823K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom pizza chains in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Papa Johns gained share of searches among pizza chains in the United Kingdom, from 10% to 11%.
In September 2026, PizzaExpress lost share of searches among pizza chains in the United Kingdom, from 33.1% to 30.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Papa Johns’ and PizzaExpress’ 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.
Papa Johns
1 branded search term
- papa johns
PizzaExpress
1 branded search term
- pizza express
Other head-to-heads among pizza chains
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