Burger chains in the United States:Which are most popular?
In September 2026, McDonald's was the most searched burger chain in the United States, accounting for 45.6% of all searches among the ten chains we track. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, In-N-Out Burger showed up in every answer. In-N-Out Burger was recommended most often, coming first in three out of four responses.
McDonald'sShare of searches 45.6%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 8th
Burger KingShare of searches 16.7%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 9th
Wendy'sShare of searches 13.7%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th- Culver'sShare of searches 7.5%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
Five GuysShare of searches 6.1%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
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Top burger chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, In-N-Out Burger appeared every time. In-N-Out Burger was recommended most often, coming first in three out of four answers. Five Guys was second, and Culver's was third.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
In-N-Out Burger1st- Five Guys2nd
- Culver's3rd
Shake Shack4th
Whataburger5th- Wendy's6th
The Habit Burger Grill7th- McDonald's8th
- Burger King9th
Smashburger10th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- In-N-Out Burger4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Culver's3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Five Guys3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Shake Shack3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- The Habit Burger Grill3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- McDonald's2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Burger King2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Wendy's2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Whataburger2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Smashburger1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about burger chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which burger chain has the best burgers in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best fast food burger chains in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Where can I get the best fast food burger and fries in the US?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“fast food burgers”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“burger places”
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.
Which burger chains do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each burger chain by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten burger chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Culver's, Five Guys, Whataburger, Shake Shack. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | McDonald's | Burger King | Wendy's | Culver's | Five Guys | Whataburger | Shake Shack | In-N-Out Burger | Smashburger | The Habit Burger Grill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 51.7% | 12.7% | 12.7% | 7% | 4.7% | 5.7% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 0.94% | 0.34% |
| Nov 2025 | 47.2% | 14.2% | 14.2% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 6.3% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1% | 0.38% |
| Dec 2025 | 50% | 14.9% | 12.3% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 5.5% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 0.9% | 0.33% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.7% | 12.2% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 5.5% | 6.7% | 3% | 2.5% | 1.1% | 0.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 50.6% | 12.4% | 12.4% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 3% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.41% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.5% | 16.3% | 13.4% | 7.3% | 6% | 6% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 0.44% |
| Apr 2026 | 46.9% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 7.7% | 5.2% | 6.3% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.38% |
| May 2026 | 45.9% | 13.8% | 13.8% | 9.2% | 5.1% | 6.2% | 2.8% | 1.8% | 1% | 0.45% |
| Jun 2026 | 47% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 7.7% | 5.2% | 6.3% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 0.85% | 0.47% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.2% | 12.6% | 12.6% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.76% | 0.41% |
| Aug 2026 | 50.8% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 2% | 0.75% | 0.41% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.6% | 16.7% | 13.7% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 5% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 0.83% | 0.37% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 45.6% | 30.4M | -18.3% | -5.2 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 16.7% | 11.1M | +21.4% | +4.2 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 13.7% | 9.1M | 0% | +1.2 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 7.5% | 5M | -18.3% | -0.9 points | |
| 5, moved from 6th to 5th | 6.1% | 4.1M | +22.1% | +1.6 pointsmoved from 6th to 5th | |
| 6, moved from 5th to 6th | 5% | 3.4M | -18.1% | -0.6 pointsmoved from 5th to 6th | |
| 7, held 7th | 2.3% | 1.5M | -18% | -0.2 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 1.8% | 1.2M | -18.7% | -0.2 points | |
| 9, held 9th | 0.83% | 550K | 0% | +0.1 points | |
| 10, held 10th | 0.37% | 246K | -18.3% | 0 points |
45.6%
Held 1st. 30.4M estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -5.2 points.
16.7%
Held 2nd. 11.1M estimated branded searches, +21.4% vs prior month. Share +4.2 points.
3.
Wendy's13.7%
Held 3rd. 9.1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.2 points.
4.Culver's
7.5%
Held 4th. 5M estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.9 points.
6.1%
Moved from 6th to 5th. 4.1M estimated branded searches, +22.1% vs prior month. Share +1.6 points.
5%
Moved from 5th to 6th. 3.4M estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.
2.3%
Held 7th. 1.5M estimated branded searches, -18% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
1.8%
Held 8th. 1.2M estimated branded searches, -18.7% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
0.83%
Held 9th. 550K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
0.37%
Held 10th. 246K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among burger chains in the United States?
10 brands
In September 2026, McDonald's was the most searched among burger chains in the United States, with an estimated 30.4M branded searches, 45.6% of all searches for the ten we track. Burger King is in 2nd place, 29 percentage points behind at 16.7%.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McDonald's | 51.7% → 45.6% | 51.7%Oct 2025 | 44.5%Mar 2026 | 1st |
| Burger King | 12.7% → 16.7% | 16.7%Sep 2026 | 12.2%Jan 2026 | 2nd |
| Wendy's | 12.7% → 13.7% | 14.2%Nov 2025 | 12.2%Jan 2026 | 3rd |
| Culver's | 7% → 7.5% | 9.2%May 2026 | 6.3%Nov 2025 | 4th |
| Five Guys | 4.7% → 6.1% | 6.1%Sep 2026 | 4.5%Dec 2025 | 6th → 5th |
| Whataburger | 5.7% → 5% | 6.7%Jan 2026 | 5%Sep 2026 | 5th → 6th |
| Shake Shack | 2.5% → 2.3% | 3%Feb 2026 | 2.1%Jul 2026 | 7th |
| In-N-Out Burger | 1.7% → 1.8% | 2.5%Dec 2025 | 1.7%Jul 2026 | 8th |
| Smashburger | 0.94% → 0.83% | 1.2%Mar 2026 | 0.75%Aug 2026 | 9th |
| The Habit Burger Grill | 0.34% → 0.37% | 0.47%Jun 2026 | 0.33%Dec 2025 | 10th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, McDonald's’ share of searches among burger chains in the United States decreased from 51.7% to 45.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Burger King’s share of searches among burger chains in the United States increased from 12.7% to 16.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wendy's’ share of searches among burger chains in the United States increased from 12.7% to 13.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Culver's’ share of searches among burger chains in the United States increased from 7% to 7.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Five Guys’ share of searches among burger chains in the United States increased from 4.7% to 6.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Whataburger’s share of searches among burger chains in the United States decreased from 5.7% to 5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, McDonald's’ share of searches among burger chains in the United States peaked at 51.7% in October 2025 and was lowest at 44.5% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Burger King’s share of searches among burger chains in the United States peaked at 16.7% in September 2026 and was lowest at 12.2% in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wendy's’ share of searches among burger chains in the United States peaked at 14.2% in November 2025 and was lowest at 12.2% in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Culver's’ share of searches among burger chains in the United States peaked at 9.2% in May 2026 and was lowest at 6.3% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Five Guys’ share of searches among burger chains in the United States peaked at 6.1% in September 2026 and was lowest at 4.5% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Whataburger’s share of searches among burger chains in the United States peaked at 6.7% in January 2026 and was lowest at 5% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Five Guys rose from 6th to 5th among burger chains in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Whataburger fell from 5th to 6th among burger chains in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Shake Shack, In-N-Out Burger, Smashburger and The Habit Burger Grill held steady: their share of searches among burger chains in the United States each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for United States burger chains in September 2026?
8 changes
In September 2026, Five Guys overtook Whataburger to rank 5th among burger chains in the United States, with 6.1% of the searches.
In September 2026, Burger King gained share of searches among burger chains in the United States, from 12.5% to 16.7%.
In September 2026, Wendy's gained share of searches among burger chains in the United States, from 12.5% to 13.7%.
In September 2026, McDonald's lost share of searches among burger chains in the United States, from 50.8% to 45.6%.
In September 2026, Culver's lost share of searches among burger chains in the United States, from 8.4% to 7.5%.
In September 2026, Whataburger lost share of searches among burger chains in the United States, from 5.6% to 5%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Smashburger in the United States fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 673K to 550K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Shake Shack in the United States fell 18% over 12 measured months, from 1.8M to 1.5M in September 2026.
Compare popularity between leading brands
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