Brandwave

Panda Express vs P.F. Chang's:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Panda Express had more branded searches than P.F. Chang's among asian fast casual chains in the United States. Panda Express had about 7.5 million branded searches, while P.F. Chang's had 550,000. Panda Express made up 74.8% of all asian fast casual chain searches we track, and P.F. Chang's accounted for 5.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about asian fast casual chains, Panda Express appeared in three of the four answers and P.F. Chang's in one. Panda Express was mentioned before P.F. Chang's in every answer.

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

Who do people search for more?

Panda Express, about 14 searches for every 1 for P.F. Chang's

Panda Express 7.5M searchesP.F. Chang's 550K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Panda Express, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, P.F. Chang's in 1

Panda Express in 3 of 4P.F. Chang's in 1 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Panda Express, named ahead of P.F. Chang's in every answer

Panda Express first in 3P.F. Chang's never first

Follow Panda Express vs P.F. Chang's and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

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. P.F. Chang's 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 P.F. Chang's 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 Panda Express or P.F. Chang's more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Panda Express and P.F. Chang's 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.

Panda Express and P.F. Chang's among asian fast casual chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Panda Express, P.F. Chang's. 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 Panda Express and P.F. Chang's 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, P.F. Chang's gained share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States, from 4.7% to 5.5%.

  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 Panda Express’ and P.F. Chang's’ 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.

Panda Express

1 branded search term

  • panda express

P.F. Chang's

1 branded search term

  • pf changs

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among asian fast casual chains

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free