How popular isWingstop?
In September 2026, people searched for Wingstop by name about 7.5 million times in the United States, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 53.2% of all United States wing chain searches, placing Wingstop first out of six chains. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about wing chains, Wingstop appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the six.
Wingstop is the most searched of 6 competitors and the 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, Wingstop appeared in all three answers. Wingstop is the 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 Wingstop?
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 Wingstop and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Wingstop
14 comparisons
- Chick-fil-A vs Wingstop
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Wingstop
- KFC vs Wingstop
- Dave's Hot Chicken vs Wingstop
- Popeyes vs Wingstop
- Bojangles vs Wingstop
- Raising Cane’s vs Wingstop
- Jollibee vs Wingstop
- Wingstop vs Zaxby's
- Hooters vs Wingstop
- Church's Texas Chicken vs Wingstop
- Pluckers Wing Bar vs Wingstop
- Bonchon vs Wingstop
- Wing Snob vs Wingstop
How has branded search demand for Wingstop changed in the United States over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Wingstop in the United States held steady at 7.5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wingstop’s share of searches among wing chains in the United States increased from 48.3% to 53.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wingstop’s share of searches among wing chains in the United States peaked at 53.2% in September 2026 and was lowest at 47.8% in November 2025.
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 Wingstop’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Wingstop’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.
- wingstop
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Where does Wingstop compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fried chicken chains | 2nd of 10 | 16.6% | Show ranking |
| Wing chains | 1st of 6 | 53.2% | Shown above |
Is Wingstop 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.