PizzaExpress vs Wetherspoons:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, PizzaExpress had more branded searches than Wetherspoons among restaurant chains in the United Kingdom. PizzaExpress had about 823,000 branded searches, while Wetherspoons had 673,000. PizzaExpress made up 22.8% of all restaurant chain searches we track, and Wetherspoons accounted for 18.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about restaurant chains, PizzaExpress appeared in three of the four answers and Wetherspoons in none.
Who do people search for more?
PizzaExpress, about 22% more searches than Wetherspoons
Who does AI mention more?
PizzaExpress, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Wetherspoons in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
PizzaExpress, the only one of the two named
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Top restaurant chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, PizzaExpress was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Wetherspoons 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.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- PizzaExpress3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Nando's3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
wagamama3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Toby Carvery2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Five Guys2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Frankie & Benny's2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Bella Italia2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Miller & Carter1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Harvester1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Wetherspoons0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about restaurant chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which restaurant chain is the best in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best chain restaurants in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which UK restaurant chain is best for a family meal?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“chain restaurants”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“restaurants 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 22, 2026.
Is PizzaExpress or Wetherspoons more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for PizzaExpress and Wetherspoons by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 restaurant chains we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for PizzaExpress, Wetherspoons. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | PizzaExpress | Wetherspoons | Nando's | Toby Carvery | wagamama | Miller & Carter | Five Guys | Frankie & Benny's | Prezzo | Bella Italia | Zizzi | Harvester |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 15% | 18.4% | 18.4% | 12.3% | 10% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 2% | 3.7% | 2% | 1.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 19.2% | 19.2% | 15.7% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 7% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 18.1% | 18.1% | 18.1% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 9.9% | 8.1% | 3% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 17.7% | 17.7% | 17.7% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 9.7% | 6.5% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 19.2% | 19.2% | 15.7% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 7% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 20.1% | 20.1% | 16.4% | 9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 1.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.3% | 18.2% | 18.2% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 6.7% | 5.4% | 3% | 3.7% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 22.5% | 18.4% | 18.4% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 3% | 3% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 24.1% | 19.7% | 16.1% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 5.9% | 4% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2.2% | 1.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 22.4% | 18.3% | 18.3% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 3% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 23.3% | 19.2% | 15.7% | 10.5% | 7% | 5.7% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 22.8% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 3.7% | 3% | 2.5% | 2% | 1.2% |
How has the PizzaExpress and Wetherspoons comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: PizzaExpress took it in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PizzaExpress’ share of searches among restaurant chains in the United Kingdom moved from 15% to 22.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 673K to 823K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wetherspoons’ share of searches among restaurant chains in the United Kingdom moved from 18.4% to 18.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 673K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom restaurant chains in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Wetherspoons lost share of searches among restaurant chains in the United Kingdom, from 19.2% to 18.6%.
In September 2026, PizzaExpress lost share of searches among restaurant chains in the United Kingdom, from 23.3% to 22.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using PizzaExpress’ 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.
PizzaExpress
1 branded search term
- pizza express
Wetherspoons
1 branded search term
- wetherspoons
Other head-to-heads among restaurant chains
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