Donut chains in the United States:Which are most popular?
In September 2026, Dunkin' was the most searched donut chain in the United States, accounting for 73.8% of all searches among the five chains we track. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Duck Donuts and Shipley Do-Nuts showed up in every answer. Krispy Kreme was recommended most often, coming first in every response.
Dunkin'Share of searches 73.8%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
Krispy KremeShare of searches 15.3%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Tim HortonsShare of searches 6.8%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
Duck DonutsShare of searches 2.1%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Shipley Do-NutsShare of searches 2.1%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
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Top donut chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions, Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Duck Donuts and Shipley Do-Nuts appeared every time. Krispy Kreme was recommended most often, coming first in every answer. Duck Donuts was second, and Shipley Do-Nuts was third. Tim Hortons, which ranked third in searches, was not mentioned at all.
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.
- Dunkin'3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Krispy Kreme3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Duck Donuts3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Shipley Do-Nuts3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Tim Hortons0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about donut chains
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which donut chain has the best donuts in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best donut chains in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Where can I get the best glazed donut from a chain in the US?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“donut shops”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“donuts”
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 22, 2026.
Which donut chains do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each donut chain by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five donut chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Tim Hortons, Duck Donuts, Shipley Do-Nuts. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Dunkin' | Krispy Kreme | Tim Hortons | Duck Donuts | Shipley Do-Nuts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 75.8% | 13.6% | 6.1% | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 73.6% | 16.2% | 5.9% | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 73.6% | 16.2% | 5.9% | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 72% | 15.8% | 7% | 2.6% | 2.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 73.2% | 16.1% | 5.9% | 2.2% | 2.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 72.1% | 17.1% | 6.2% | 2.3% | 2.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 73.1% | 15.1% | 6.8% | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| May 2026 | 75.9% | 13.6% | 6.1% | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 75.5% | 13.5% | 6% | 2.7% | 2.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 75.5% | 13.5% | 6% | 2.7% | 2.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 73.8% | 15.3% | 6.8% | 2.1% | 2.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 73.8% | 15.3% | 6.8% | 2.1% | 2.1% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 73.8% | 10.8M | -18.1% | 0 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 15.3% | 2.2M | -18.2% | 0 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 6.8% | 1M | -18% | 0 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 2.1% | 301K | -18.2% | 0 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 2.1% | 301K | -18.2% | 0 points |
1.
Dunkin'73.8%
Held 1st. 10.8M estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
15.3%
Held 2nd. 2.2M estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
6.8%
Held 3rd. 1M estimated branded searches, -18% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
2.1%
Held 4th. 301K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
2.1%
Held 5th. 301K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among donut chains in the United States?
5 brands
In September 2026, Dunkin' was the most searched among donut chains in the United States, with an estimated 10.8M branded searches, 73.8% of all searches for the five we track. Krispy Kreme is in 2nd place, 58.5 percentage points behind at 15.3%.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunkin' | 75.8% → 73.8% | 75.9%May 2026 | 72%Jan 2026 | 1st |
| Krispy Kreme | 13.6% → 15.3% | 17.1%Mar 2026 | 13.5%Jun 2026 | 2nd |
| Tim Hortons | 6.1% → 6.8% | 7%Jan 2026 | 5.9%Nov 2025 | 3rd |
| Duck Donuts | 2.2% → 2.1% | 2.7%Jun 2026 | 2.1%Sep 2026 | 4th |
| Shipley Do-Nuts | 2.2% → 2.1% | 2.6%Feb 2026 | 2.1%Sep 2026 | 5th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dunkin'’s share of searches among donut chains in the United States decreased from 75.8% to 73.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Krispy Kreme’s share of searches among donut chains in the United States increased from 13.6% to 15.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tim Hortons’ share of searches among donut chains in the United States increased from 6.1% to 6.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dunkin'’s share of searches among donut chains in the United States peaked at 75.9% in May 2026 and was lowest at 72% in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Krispy Kreme’s share of searches among donut chains in the United States peaked at 17.1% in March 2026 and was lowest at 13.5% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tim Hortons’ share of searches among donut chains in the United States peaked at 7% in January 2026 and was lowest at 5.9% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Duck Donuts and Shipley Do-Nuts held steady: their share of searches among donut chains in the United States each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for United States donut chains in September 2026?
3 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for Duck Donuts in the United States fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 368K to 301K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Shipley Do-Nuts in the United States fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 368K to 301K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Dunkin' in the United States fell 13.2% over 12 measured months, from 12.5M to 10.8M in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted for donut chains?
6 search terms
Each brand's share of searches among donut chains comes from the terms listed under its name. When people mostly search for a brand because of something else it sells, only the searches that name this product count here.
Dunkin'
2 branded search terms
- dunkin
- dunkin donuts
Krispy Kreme
1 branded search term
- krispy kreme
Tim Hortons
1 branded search term
- tim hortons
Duck Donuts
1 branded search term
- duck donuts
Shipley Do-Nuts
1 branded search term
- shipley donuts
Compare popularity between leading brands
- Dunkin' vs Krispy Kreme: compare popularity
- Dunkin' vs Tim Hortons: compare popularity
- Dunkin' vs Duck Donuts: compare popularity
- Dunkin' vs Shipley Do-Nuts: compare popularity
- Krispy Kreme vs Tim Hortons: compare popularity
- Krispy Kreme vs Duck Donuts: compare popularity
- Krispy Kreme vs Shipley Do-Nuts: compare popularity
- Tim Hortons vs Duck Donuts: compare popularity
- Tim Hortons vs Shipley Do-Nuts: compare popularity
- Duck Donuts vs Shipley Do-Nuts: compare popularity
- Compare any of these brands
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