How popular isBuffalo Wild Wings?
In September 2026, people searched for Buffalo Wild Wings by name about 5 million times in the United States, an 18.3% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 35.6% of all United States wing chain searches, placing Buffalo Wild Wings second out of six chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about wing chains, Buffalo Wild Wings appeared in all answers and was the second most recommended of the six.
Buffalo Wild Wings is the second most searched of 6 competitors and the second most recommended in AI answers.
WingstopShare of searches 53.2%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Buffalo Wild WingsShare of searches 35.6%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
HootersShare of searches 4.8%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
Pluckers Wing BarShare of searches 3.9%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
BonchonShare of searches 1.7%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
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Top wing chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Buffalo Wild Wings appeared in all three answers. Buffalo Wild Wings is the second most recommended of the six.
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.
- Wingstop3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Buffalo Wild Wings3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Hooters2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Pluckers Wing Bar2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Bonchon2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Wing Snob0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about wing chains
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best wing chain in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which restaurant chain in the US has the best chicken wings?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the most popular wing chains in the US?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wings near me”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“chicken wings 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 States on October 23, 2026.
Which wing chains compete with Buffalo Wild Wings?
Share of searches by month for Wingstop, Buffalo Wild Wings, Hooters, Pluckers Wing Bar. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Wingstop | Buffalo Wild Wings | Hooters | Pluckers Wing Bar | Bonchon | Wing Snob |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 48.3% | 39.5% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 0.87% |
| Nov 2025 | 47.8% | 39.1% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 0.86% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.6% | 39.8% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 0.88% |
| Jan 2026 | 48.5% | 39.7% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 2% | 0.88% |
| Feb 2026 | 52.6% | 35.2% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 51.7% | 34.6% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 0.93% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.7% | 35.2% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 0.95% |
| May 2026 | 52.4% | 35.1% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 0.77% |
| Jun 2026 | 52.6% | 35.2% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 0.77% |
| Jul 2026 | 52.4% | 35.1% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 0.77% |
| Aug 2026 | 52.8% | 35.3% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 0.78% |
| Sep 2026 | 53.2% | 35.6% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 0.78% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 53.2% | 7.5M | 0% | +0.4 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 35.6% | 5M | 0% | +0.3 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 4.8% | 673K | -18.2% | -1 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 3.9% | 550K | +22.2% | +0.7 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 1.7% | 246K | -18.3% | -0.4 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 0.78% | 110K | 0% | 0 points |
1.
Wingstop53.2%
Held 1st. 7.5M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
35.6%
Held 2nd. 5M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.
3.
Hooters4.8%
Held 3rd. 673K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -1 points.
3.9%
Held 4th. 550K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
5.
Bonchon1.7%
Held 5th. 246K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
0.78%
Held 6th. 110K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Compare popularity between Buffalo Wild Wings and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Buffalo Wild Wings
14 comparisons
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Wingstop
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Chili's
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Olive Garden
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Texas Roadhouse
- Applebee's vs Buffalo Wild Wings
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs LongHorn Steakhouse
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs The Cheesecake Factory
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Cracker Barrel
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Red Lobster
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Hooters
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Pluckers Wing Bar
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs TGI Fridays
- Bonchon vs Buffalo Wild Wings
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Wing Snob
How has branded search demand for Buffalo Wild Wings changed in the United States over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Buffalo Wild Wings in the United States fell from 6.1M to 5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings’ share of searches among wing chains in the United States decreased from 39.5% to 35.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings’ share of searches among wing chains in the United States peaked at 39.8% in December 2025 and was lowest at 34.6% in March 2026.
How did search popularity change for United States wing chains in September 2026?
5 changes
In September 2026, Pluckers Wing Bar gained share of searches among wing chains in the United States, from 3.2% to 3.9%.
In September 2026, Hooters lost share of searches among wing chains in the United States, from 5.8% to 4.8%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Wing Snob in the United States fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 135K to 110K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Buffalo Wild Wings in the United States fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 6.1M to 5M in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Bonchon in the United States fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 301K to 246K in September 2026.
How are Buffalo Wild Wings’ branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Buffalo Wild Wings’ 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.
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Where does Buffalo Wild Wings compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual dining chains | 3rd of 10 | 13.1% | Show ranking |
| Wing chains | 2nd of 6 | 35.6% | Shown above |
Is Buffalo Wild Wings your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.