How popular isPappas Bar-B-Q?
In September 2026, people searched for Pappas Bar-B-Q by name about 60,500 times in the United States, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 3.3% of all United States BBQ chain searches, placing Pappas Bar-B-Q sixth out of seven chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about BBQ chains, Pappas Bar-B-Q appeared in two of the four answers and was the seventh most recommended of the seven.
Pappas Bar-B-Q is the sixth most searched of 7 competitors and the seventh most recommended in AI answers.
Mission BBQShare of searches 36.9%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
City BarbequeShare of searches 33%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
Sonny's BBQShare of searches 13.5%Mentioned in 1 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
Dickey's Barbecue PitShare of searches 8.1%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
Pappas Bar-B-QShare of searches 3.3%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
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Top BBQ chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Pappas Bar-B-Q was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Pappas Bar-B-Q is the seventh most recommended of the seven.
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.
- Mission BBQ3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- City Barbeque3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Dickey's Barbecue Pit3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Pappas Bar-B-Q2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Famous Dave's2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Sonny's BBQ1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about BBQ chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best BBQ chain in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which barbecue restaurant chain in the US has the best brisket?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the most popular BBQ chains in the US?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bbq restaurants”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bbq near me”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 23, 2026.
Which BBQ chains compete with Pappas Bar-B-Q?
Share of searches by month for Mission BBQ, City Barbeque, Sonny's BBQ, Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q, Pappas Bar-B-Q. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Mission BBQ | City Barbeque | Sonny's BBQ | Dickey's Barbecue Pit | Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q | Pappas Bar-B-Q | Famous Dave's |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 38.1% | 27.8% | 13.9% | 12.4% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 0.11% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.7% | 28.3% | 11.6% | 12.7% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 0.09% |
| Dec 2025 | 34.3% | 30.7% | 15.3% | 11.2% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 0.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.3% | 28.7% | 14.3% | 10.6% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 0.09% |
| Feb 2026 | 39.3% | 28.7% | 14.3% | 10.6% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 0.09% |
| Mar 2026 | 39% | 28.5% | 14.2% | 10.4% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 0.09% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.2% | 31.5% | 15.8% | 9.5% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 0.1% |
| May 2026 | 36.9% | 33% | 13.5% | 8.1% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 0.11% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.3% | 28.8% | 14.4% | 8.6% | 5.3% | 3.5% | 0.09% |
| Jul 2026 | 32.4% | 35.4% | 14.5% | 8.7% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 0.12% |
| Aug 2026 | 35.2% | 31.5% | 15.8% | 9.5% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 0.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 36.9% | 33% | 13.5% | 8.1% | 5% | 3.3% | 0.1% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 36.9% | 673K | 0% | +1.7 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 33% | 602K | 0% | +1.5 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 13.5% | 246K | -18.3% | -2.3 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 8.1% | 148K | -18.2% | -1.4 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 5% | 90.5K | 0% | +0.2 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 3.3% | 60.5K | 0% | +0.2 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.1% | 1.9K | 0% | 0 points |
36.9%
Held 1st. 673K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.7 points.
33%
Held 2nd. 602K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.5 points.
13.5%
Held 3rd. 246K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -2.3 points.
8.1%
Held 4th. 148K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -1.4 points.
Held 5th. 90.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
3.3%
Held 6th. 60.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
0.1%
Held 7th. 1.9K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Compare popularity between Pappas Bar-B-Q and its closest rivals
- Pappas Bar-B-Q vs City Barbeque: compare popularity
- Pappas Bar-B-Q vs Sonny's BBQ: compare popularity
- Pappas Bar-B-Q vs Dickey's Barbecue Pit: compare popularity
- Pappas Bar-B-Q vs Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q: compare popularity
- Pappas Bar-B-Q vs Famous Dave's: compare popularity
- Compare Pappas Bar-B-Q with any brand
Every comparison with Pappas Bar-B-Q
6 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Pappas Bar-B-Q changed in the United States over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Pappas Bar-B-Q in the United States held steady at 60.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pappas Bar-B-Q’s share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States peaked at 4.3% in November 2025 and was lowest at 3.2% in April 2026.
How did search popularity change for United States BBQ chains in September 2026?
5 changes
In September 2026, Mission BBQ gained share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 35.2% to 36.9%.
In September 2026, City Barbeque gained share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 31.5% to 33%.
In September 2026, Sonny's BBQ lost share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 15.8% to 13.5%.
In September 2026, Dickey's Barbecue Pit lost share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 9.5% to 8.1%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q in the United States rose 22.3% over 12 measured months, from 74K to 90.5K in September 2026.
How are Pappas Bar-B-Q’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Pappas Bar-B-Q’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.
- pappas bbq
Who owns Pappas Bar-B-Q?
Pappas Bar-B-Q is owned by Pappas Restaurants. Brandwave also tracks 
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, owned by the same company, in the United States.
Do you work for Pappas Bar-B-Q? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Is Pappas Bar-B-Q your brand?
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