Brandwave

Noodles & Company vs Panda Express:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Panda Express had more branded searches than Noodles & Company among asian fast casual chains in the United States. Panda Express had about 7.5 million branded searches, while Noodles & Company had 1 million. Panda Express made up 74.8% of all asian fast casual chain searches we track, and Noodles & Company accounted for 10%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about asian fast casual chains, Panda Express appeared in three of the four answers and Noodles & Company in one. Panda Express was mentioned before Noodles & Company in every answer.

Among asian fast casual chains in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Panda Express, about 7 searches for every 1 for Noodles & Company

Panda Express 7.5M searchesNoodles & Company 1M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Panda Express, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Noodles & Company in 1

Panda Express in 3 of 4Noodles & Company in 1 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Panda Express, named ahead of Noodles & Company in every answer

Panda Express first in 3Noodles & Company never first

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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. Noodles & Company was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Panda Express was listed before Noodles & Company in every answer.

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.

Is Noodles & Company or Panda Express more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Noodles & Company and Panda Express by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven asian fast casual chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Noodles & Company and Panda Express among asian fast casual chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Panda Express, Noodles & Company. 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%

How has the Noodles & Company and Panda Express comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

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

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Noodles & Company’s and Panda Express’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Noodles & Company

1 branded search term

  • noodles and company

Panda Express

1 branded search term

  • panda express

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among asian fast casual chains

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