How popular isTaco Bell?
In September 2026, people searched for Taco Bell by name about 13.6 million times in the United States, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 52.2% of all United States mexican fast food chain searches, placing Taco Bell first out of nine chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mexican fast food chains, Taco Bell appeared in all answers and was the third most recommended of the nine.
Taco Bell is the most searched of 9 competitors and the third most recommended in AI answers.
Taco BellShare of searches 52.2%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
Chipotle Mexican GrillShare of searches 28.7%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
QDOBAShare of searches 5.8%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
El Pollo LocoShare of searches 3.8%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
Del TacoShare of searches 3.2%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
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Top mexican fast food chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Taco Bell appeared in all three answers. Taco Bell is the third most recommended of the nine.
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.
- Taco Bell3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Chipotle Mexican Grill3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- QDOBA3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Del Taco3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Torchy's Tacos2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Freebirds World Burrito2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Moe's Southwest Grill1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Taco John's1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers- El Pollo Loco0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about mexican fast food chains
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Mexican fast food chain is the best in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best burrito and taco chains in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Where can I get the best fast food burrito in the US?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“mexican fast food”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“burrito places”
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 22, 2026.
Which mexican fast food chains compete with Taco Bell?
Share of searches by month for Taco Bell, Chipotle Mexican Grill, QDOBA, El Pollo Loco, Del Taco, Moe's Southwest Grill, Torchy's Tacos. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Taco Bell | Chipotle Mexican Grill | QDOBA | El Pollo Loco | Del Taco | Moe's Southwest Grill | Torchy's Tacos | Taco John's | Freebirds World Burrito |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.9% | 28% | 6.9% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 2.1% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 0.75% |
| Nov 2025 | 51.7% | 28.4% | 7% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 0.76% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.9% | 32.9% | 5.4% | 3% | 3.6% | 2% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 0.72% |
| Jan 2026 | 48.5% | 32.6% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 0.72% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.5% | 32% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 0.86% |
| Mar 2026 | 48.1% | 32.3% | 6.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 0.71% |
| Apr 2026 | 51.1% | 28.1% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 2.5% | 1.1% | 0.75% |
| May 2026 | 50.9% | 28% | 6.9% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 2.1% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 0.75% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.3% | 28.2% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 0.76% |
| Jul 2026 | 54.4% | 24.5% | 6% | 4% | 4% | 2.2% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 50.9% | 28% | 6.9% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 2.1% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 0.75% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.2% | 28.7% | 5.8% | 3.8% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 0.63% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 52.2% | 13.6M | 0% | +1.3 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 28.7% | 7.5M | 0% | +0.7 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 5.8% | 1.5M | -18% | -1.1 points | |
| 4, moved from 5th to 4th | 3.8% | 1M | 0% | +0.1 pointsmoved from 5th to 4th | |
| 5, moved from 4th to 5th | 3.2% | 823K | -17.7% | -0.6 pointsmoved from 4th to 5th | |
| 6, moved from 7th to 6th | 2.1% | 550K | 0% | +0.1 pointsmoved from 7th to 6th | |
| 7, moved from 6th to 7th | 2.1% | 550K | -18.3% | -0.4 pointsmoved from 6th to 7th | |
| 8, held 8th | 1.4% | 368K | 0% | 0 points | |
| 9, held 9th | 0.63% | 165K | -17.9% | -0.1 points |
52.2%
Held 1st. 13.6M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.3 points.
28.7%
Held 2nd. 7.5M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
3.
QDOBA5.8%
Held 3rd. 1.5M estimated branded searches, -18% vs prior month. Share -1.1 points.
3.8%
Moved from 5th to 4th. 1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
5.
Del Taco3.2%
Moved from 4th to 5th. 823K estimated branded searches, -17.7% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.
2.1%
Moved from 7th to 6th. 550K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
2.1%
Moved from 6th to 7th. 550K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
1.4%
Held 8th. 368K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
0.63%
Held 9th. 165K estimated branded searches, -17.9% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Taco Bell and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Taco Bell
8 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Taco Bell changed in the United States over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Taco Bell in the United States held steady at 13.6M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Taco Bell’s share of searches among mexican fast food chains in the United States increased from 50.9% to 52.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Taco Bell’s share of searches among mexican fast food chains in the United States peaked at 54.4% in July 2026 and was lowest at 47.5% in February 2026.
How did search popularity change for United States mexican fast food chains in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Taco Bell gained share of searches among mexican fast food chains in the United States, from 50.9% to 52.2%.
In September 2026, Chipotle Mexican Grill gained share of searches among mexican fast food chains in the United States, from 28% to 28.7%.
In September 2026, QDOBA lost share of searches among mexican fast food chains in the United States, from 6.9% to 5.8%.
In September 2026, Del Taco lost share of searches among mexican fast food chains in the United States, from 3.7% to 3.2%.
In September 2026, El Pollo Loco rose from 5th to 4th among mexican fast food chains in the United States.
In September 2026, Moe's Southwest Grill rose from 7th to 6th among mexican fast food chains in the United States.
How are Taco Bell’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Taco Bell’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.
- taco bell
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