How popular isCracker Barrel?
In September 2026, people searched for Cracker Barrel by name about 1.8 million times in the United States, an 18.3% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 12.5% of all United States breakfast chain searches, placing Cracker Barrel fourth out of seven chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about breakfast chains, Cracker Barrel appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the seven.
Cracker Barrel is the fourth most searched of 7 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.
IHOPShare of searches 27.9%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
First WatchShare of searches 22.8%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Waffle HouseShare of searches 22.8%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
Cracker BarrelShare of searches 12.5%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Denny'sShare of searches 8.3%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
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Top breakfast chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Cracker Barrel appeared in all three answers. Cracker Barrel is the most recommended of the seven.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Cracker Barrel1st
- First Watch2nd
- IHOP3rd
- Waffle House4th
- The Original Pancake House5th
- Denny's6th
Bob Evans7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- IHOP3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Cracker Barrel3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Denny's3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- First Watch2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Waffle House2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- The Original Pancake House2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Bob Evans1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about breakfast chains
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which breakfast chain is the best in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best breakfast restaurant chains in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which diner chain in the US has the best pancakes?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“breakfast places”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best breakfast”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.
Which breakfast chains compete with Cracker Barrel?
Share of searches by month for IHOP, First Watch, Waffle House, Cracker Barrel, Denny's, Bob Evans. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | IHOP | First Watch | Waffle House | Cracker Barrel | Denny's | Bob Evans | The Original Pancake House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.4% | 16.3% | 19.9% | 13.3% | 19.9% | 4.9% | 1.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 27.1% | 14.9% | 18.2% | 14.9% | 18.2% | 5.4% | 1.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 27% | 14.8% | 22.1% | 12.1% | 18.1% | 4.5% | 1.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 25.2% | 16.9% | 20.6% | 11.3% | 20.6% | 4.1% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 27.5% | 18.4% | 18.4% | 12.3% | 18.4% | 3.7% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 30% | 20.1% | 20.1% | 11% | 13.5% | 4% | 1.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 27.8% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 12.4% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 26.4% | 26.4% | 21.6% | 11.8% | 7.9% | 4.3% | 1.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 27.8% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 12.4% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.8% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 12.4% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 27.8% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 12.4% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 27.9% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 12.5% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 1.1% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 27.9% | 4.1M | 0% | +0.1 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 22.8% | 3.4M | 0% | +0.1 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 22.8% | 3.4M | 0% | +0.1 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 12.5% | 1.8M | 0% | 0 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 8.3% | 1.2M | 0% | 0 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 4.6% | 673K | 0% | 0 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 1.1% | 165K | -17.9% | -0.2 points |
1.
IHOP27.9%
Held 1st. 4.1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
22.8%
Held 2nd. 3.4M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
22.8%
Held 3rd. 3.4M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
12.5%
Held 4th. 1.8M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
5.
Denny's8.3%
Held 5th. 1.2M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
4.6%
Held 6th. 673K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Held 7th. 165K estimated branded searches, -17.9% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
Compare popularity between Cracker Barrel and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Cracker Barrel
15 comparisons
- Cracker Barrel vs First Watch
- Cracker Barrel vs IHOP
- Cracker Barrel vs Waffle House
- Applebee's vs Cracker Barrel
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Cracker Barrel
- Chili's vs Cracker Barrel
- Cracker Barrel vs LongHorn Steakhouse
- Cracker Barrel vs Olive Garden
- Cracker Barrel vs Red Lobster
- Cracker Barrel vs Texas Roadhouse
- The Cheesecake Factory vs Cracker Barrel
- Cracker Barrel vs Denny's
- Bob Evans vs Cracker Barrel
- Cracker Barrel vs TGI Fridays
- Cracker Barrel vs The Original Pancake House
How has branded search demand for Cracker Barrel changed in the United States over the last 12 months?
4 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Cracker Barrel in the United States fell from 2.2M to 1.8M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Cracker Barrel’s share of searches among breakfast chains in the United States decreased from 13.3% to 12.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Cracker Barrel’s share of searches among breakfast chains in the United States peaked at 14.9% in November 2025 and was lowest at 11% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Cracker Barrel rose from 5th to 4th among breakfast chains in the United States.
How did search popularity change for United States breakfast chains in September 2026?
5 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for First Watch in the United States rose 22.3% over 12 measured months, from 2.7M to 3.4M in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Denny's in the United States fell 63.6% over 12 measured months, from 3.4M to 1.2M in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Cracker Barrel in the United States fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 2.2M to 1.8M in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Bob Evans in the United States fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 823K to 673K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for The Original Pancake House in the United States fell 17.9% over 12 measured months, from 201K to 165K in September 2026.
How are Cracker Barrel’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Cracker Barrel’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.
- cracker barrel
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Where does Cracker Barrel compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual dining chains | 8th of 10 | 4.8% | Show ranking |
| Breakfast chains | 4th of 7 | 12.5% | Shown above |
Is Cracker Barrel 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.