Brandwave

How popular isPanda Express?

In September 2026, people searched for Panda Express by name about 7.5 million times in the United States, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 74.8% of all United States asian fast casual chain searches, placing Panda Express first out of seven chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about asian fast casual chains, Panda Express appeared in three of the four answers and was the most recommended of the seven.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Panda Express is the most searched of 7 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. Panda ExpressShare of searches 74.8%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  2. Noodles & CompanyShare of searches 10%Mentioned in 1 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
  3. P.F. Chang'sShare of searches 5.5%Mentioned in 1 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  4. Teriyaki MadnessShare of searches 4.5%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  5. BonchonShare of searches 2.5%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th

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Top asian fast casual chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Panda Express was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Panda Express is the most recommended of the seven.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Panda Express1st
  2. Sarku Japan2nd
  3. Teriyaki Madness3rd
  4. P.F. Chang's4th
  5. Bonchon5th
  6. Pei Wei6th
  7. Noodles & Company7th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Panda Express3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Sarku Japan3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Teriyaki Madness2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Bonchon2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Noodles & Company1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • P.F. Chang's1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Pei Wei1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about asian fast casual chains

4 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 23, 2026.

Which asian fast casual chains compete with Panda Express?

Panda Express against asian fast casual chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Panda Express, Noodles & Company, P.F. Chang's, Teriyaki Madness, Bonchon. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPanda ExpressNoodles & CompanyP.F. Chang'sTeriyaki MadnessBonchonPei WeiSarku Japan
Oct 202574%9.9%5.4%4.5%3%1.6%1.6%
Nov 202573.5%9.8%5.4%4.4%3.6%1.6%1.6%
Dec 202572.6%9.7%6.5%4.4%3.6%1.6%1.6%
Jan 202674%9.9%5.4%4.5%3%1.6%1.6%
Feb 202673.9%9.9%6.6%3.6%3%1.6%1.3%
Mar 202672.4%11.8%5.3%4.4%2.9%1.6%1.6%
Apr 202673.7%9.9%5.4%5.4%3%1.3%1.3%
May 202672.8%9.7%6.6%5.4%2.9%1.3%1.3%
Jun 202674.6%10%5.5%4.5%2.5%1.3%1.6%
Jul 202673.5%9.8%5.4%5.4%3%1.3%1.6%
Aug 202677.8%8.5%4.7%3.8%2.6%1.1%1.4%
Sep 202674.8%10%5.5%4.5%2.5%1.4%1.4%

  1. 1.Panda Express

    74.8%

    Held 1st. 7.5M estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -3 points.

  2. 2.Noodles & Company

    10%

    Held 2nd. 1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.5 points.

  3. 3.P.F. Chang's

    5.5%

    Held 3rd. 550K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.8 points.

  4. 4.Teriyaki Madness

    4.5%

    Held 4th. 450K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.

  5. 5.Bonchon

    2.5%

    Held 5th. 246K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  6. 6.Pei Wei

    1.4%

    Moved from 7th to 6th. 135K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.

  7. 7.Sarku Japan

    1.4%

    Moved from 6th to 7th. 135K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

Compare popularity between Panda Express and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Panda Express

6 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Panda Express changed in the United States over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Panda Express in the United States held steady at 7.5M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Panda Express’ share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States increased from 74% to 74.8%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Panda Express’ share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States peaked at 77.8% in August 2026 and was lowest at 72.4% in March 2026.

How did search popularity change for United States asian fast casual chains in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Noodles & Company gained share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States, from 8.5% to 10%.

  2. In September 2026, P.F. Chang's gained share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States, from 4.7% to 5.5%.

  3. In September 2026, Teriyaki Madness gained share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States, from 3.8% to 4.5%.

  4. In September 2026, Panda Express lost share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States, from 77.8% to 74.8%.

  5. In September 2026, Pei Wei rose from 7th to 6th among asian fast casual chains in the United States.

  6. In September 2026, Sarku Japan fell from 6th to 7th among asian fast casual chains in the United States.

How are Panda Express’ branded searches counted?

1 search term

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Panda Express’ 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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