Chick-fil-A vs KFC:Which is searched more in the United States?
In September 2026, Chick-fil-A had more branded searches than KFC among fried chicken chains in the United States. Chick-fil-A had about 20.4 million branded searches, while KFC had 5 million. Chick-fil-A made up 45.4% of all fried chicken chain searches we track, and KFC accounted for 11.1%.
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Is Chick-fil-A or KFC more popular in search?
Compare the fried chicken and chicken tender chains people in the US eat at. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of searches by month for Chick-fil-A, KFC. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Chick-fil-A | Wingstop | KFC | Dave's Hot Chicken | Popeyes | Bojangles | Raising Cane’s | Jollibee | Zaxby's | Church's Texas Chicken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 42.4% | 15.6% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.7% | 15.3% | 10.2% | 8.4% | 10.2% | 3.7% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.9% | 15.4% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.4% | 15.5% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.9% | 16.5% | 9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 4% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 1.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.3% | 15.5% | 10.4% | 10.4% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.1% | 15.8% | 10.6% | 8.6% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 42.8% | 15.7% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 43.4% | 15.9% | 10.6% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 3.2% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 48% | 14.4% | 9.6% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 48.1% | 14.5% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.4% | 16.6% | 11.1% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.2% |
How has the Chick-fil-A and KFC comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Chick-fil-A was ahead of KFC in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Chick-fil-A’s share of searches among fried chicken chains in the United States moved from 42.4% to 45.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 20.4M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KFC’s share of searches among fried chicken chains in the United States moved from 10.4% to 11.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 5M.
How did search popularity change for United States fried chicken chains in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, KFC gained share of searches among fried chicken chains in the United States, from 9.7% to 11.1%.
In September 2026, Chick-fil-A lost share of searches among fried chicken chains in the United States, from 48.1% to 45.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chick-fil-A’s and KFC’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.
Chick-fil-A
1 branded search term
- chick-fil-a
KFC
1 branded search term
- kfc
Other head-to-heads among fried chicken chains
Chick-fil-A vs Wingstop: compare search popularity
Chick-fil-A vs Dave's Hot Chicken: compare search popularity
Chick-fil-A vs Popeyes: compare search popularity- Wingstop vs KFC: compare search popularity
- Wingstop vs Dave's Hot Chicken: compare search popularity
- Wingstop vs Popeyes: compare search popularity
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.