Cracker Barrel vs First Watch:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, First Watch had more branded searches than Cracker Barrel among breakfast chains in the United States. First Watch had about 3.4 million branded searches, while Cracker Barrel had 1.8 million. First Watch made up 22.8% of all breakfast chain searches we track, and Cracker Barrel accounted for 12.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about breakfast chains, Cracker Barrel appeared in all three answers and First Watch in two. First Watch was mentioned before Cracker Barrel in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
First Watch, about 83% more searches than Cracker Barrel
Who does AI mention more?
Cracker Barrel, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
First Watch, named ahead of Cracker Barrel in 2 of 3 answers
Follow Cracker Barrel vs First Watch 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
Top breakfast chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Cracker Barrel appeared in all three answers. First Watch was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. First Watch was listed before Cracker Barrel in two out of three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Cracker Barrel1st
- First Watch2nd
IHOP3rd
Waffle House4th- The Original Pancake House5th
Denny's6th
Bob Evans7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- IHOP3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Cracker Barrel3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Denny's3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- First Watch2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Waffle House2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- The Original Pancake House2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Bob Evans1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about breakfast chains
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which breakfast chain is the best in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best breakfast restaurant chains in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which diner chain in the US has the best pancakes?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“breakfast places”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best breakfast”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.
Is Cracker Barrel or First Watch more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Cracker Barrel and First Watch by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven breakfast chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for First Watch, Cracker Barrel. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | IHOP | First Watch | Waffle House | Cracker Barrel | Denny's | Bob Evans | The Original Pancake House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.4% | 16.3% | 19.9% | 13.3% | 19.9% | 4.9% | 1.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 27.1% | 14.9% | 18.2% | 14.9% | 18.2% | 5.4% | 1.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 27% | 14.8% | 22.1% | 12.1% | 18.1% | 4.5% | 1.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 25.2% | 16.9% | 20.6% | 11.3% | 20.6% | 4.1% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 27.5% | 18.4% | 18.4% | 12.3% | 18.4% | 3.7% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 30% | 20.1% | 20.1% | 11% | 13.5% | 4% | 1.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 27.8% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 12.4% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 26.4% | 26.4% | 21.6% | 11.8% | 7.9% | 4.3% | 1.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 27.8% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 12.4% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.8% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 12.4% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 27.8% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 12.4% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 27.9% | 22.8% | 22.8% | 12.5% | 8.3% | 4.6% | 1.1% |
How has the Cracker Barrel and First Watch comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- First Watch was ahead of Cracker Barrel in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Cracker Barrel’s share of searches among breakfast chains in the United States moved from 13.3% to 12.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2M to 1.8M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, First Watch’s share of searches among breakfast chains in the United States moved from 16.3% to 22.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.7M to 3.4M.
How did search popularity change for United States breakfast chains in September 2026?
2 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for First Watch in the United States rose 22.3% over 12 measured months, from 2.7M to 3.4M in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Cracker Barrel in the United States fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 2.2M to 1.8M in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Cracker Barrel’s and First Watch’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.
Cracker Barrel
1 branded search term
- cracker barrel
First Watch
1 branded search term
- first watch
Other head-to-heads among breakfast chains
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.