Wing chains in the United States:Which are most popular?
In September 2026, Wingstop was the most searched wing chain in the United States, accounting for 53.2% of all searches among the six chains we track. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Wingstop and Buffalo Wild Wings showed up in every answer. Wingstop was recommended most often, coming first in every response.
WingstopShare of searches 53.2%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Buffalo Wild WingsShare of searches 35.6%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
HootersShare of searches 4.8%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
Pluckers Wing BarShare of searches 3.9%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
BonchonShare of searches 1.7%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
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Top wing chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions, Wingstop and Buffalo Wild Wings appeared every time. Wingstop was recommended most often, coming first in every answer. Buffalo Wild Wings was second, and Pluckers Wing Bar was third. Wing Snob, which ranked sixth 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.
- Wingstop3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Buffalo Wild Wings3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Hooters2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Pluckers Wing Bar2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Bonchon2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Wing Snob0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about wing chains
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best wing chain in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which restaurant chain in the US has the best chicken wings?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the most popular wing chains in the US?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wings near me”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“chicken wings near me”
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 23, 2026.
Which wing chains do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each wing chain by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six wing chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Wingstop, Buffalo Wild Wings, Hooters, Pluckers Wing Bar. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Wingstop | Buffalo Wild Wings | Hooters | Pluckers Wing Bar | Bonchon | Wing Snob |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 48.3% | 39.5% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 0.87% |
| Nov 2025 | 47.8% | 39.1% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 0.86% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.6% | 39.8% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 0.88% |
| Jan 2026 | 48.5% | 39.7% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 2% | 0.88% |
| Feb 2026 | 52.6% | 35.2% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 51.7% | 34.6% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 0.93% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.7% | 35.2% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 0.95% |
| May 2026 | 52.4% | 35.1% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 0.77% |
| Jun 2026 | 52.6% | 35.2% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 0.77% |
| Jul 2026 | 52.4% | 35.1% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 0.77% |
| Aug 2026 | 52.8% | 35.3% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 0.78% |
| Sep 2026 | 53.2% | 35.6% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 0.78% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 53.2% | 7.5M | 0% | +0.4 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 35.6% | 5M | 0% | +0.3 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 4.8% | 673K | -18.2% | -1 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 3.9% | 550K | +22.2% | +0.7 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 1.7% | 246K | -18.3% | -0.4 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 0.78% | 110K | 0% | 0 points |
1.
Wingstop53.2%
Held 1st. 7.5M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
35.6%
Held 2nd. 5M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.
3.
Hooters4.8%
Held 3rd. 673K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -1 points.
3.9%
Held 4th. 550K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
5.
Bonchon1.7%
Held 5th. 246K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
0.78%
Held 6th. 110K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among wing chains in the United States?
6 brands
In September 2026, Wingstop was the most searched among wing chains in the United States, with an estimated 7.5M branded searches, 53.2% of all searches for the six we track. Buffalo Wild Wings is in 2nd place, 17.6 percentage points behind at 35.6%.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wingstop | 48.3% → 53.2% | 53.2%Sep 2026 | 47.8%Nov 2025 | 1st |
| Buffalo Wild Wings | 39.5% → 35.6% | 39.8%Dec 2025 | 34.6%Mar 2026 | 2nd |
| Hooters | 6.5% → 4.8% | 6.9%Mar 2026 | 4.8%Sep 2026 | 3rd |
| Pluckers Wing Bar | 2.9% → 3.9% | 3.9%Sep 2026 | 2.9%Oct 2025 | 4th |
| Bonchon | 1.9% → 1.7% | 2.4%Dec 2025 | 1.7%Jun 2026 | 5th |
| Wing Snob | 0.87% → 0.78% | 1.2%Feb 2026 | 0.77%May 2026 | 6th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wingstop’s share of searches among wing chains in the United States increased from 48.3% to 53.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings’ share of searches among wing chains in the United States decreased from 39.5% to 35.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hooters’ share of searches among wing chains in the United States decreased from 6.5% to 4.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pluckers Wing Bar’s share of searches among wing chains in the United States increased from 2.9% to 3.9%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wingstop’s share of searches among wing chains in the United States peaked at 53.2% in September 2026 and was lowest at 47.8% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings’ share of searches among wing chains in the United States peaked at 39.8% in December 2025 and was lowest at 34.6% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hooters’ share of searches among wing chains in the United States peaked at 6.9% in March 2026 and was lowest at 4.8% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bonchon and Wing Snob held steady: their share of searches among wing chains in the United States each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for United States wing chains in September 2026?
5 changes
In September 2026, Pluckers Wing Bar gained share of searches among wing chains in the United States, from 3.2% to 3.9%.
In September 2026, Hooters lost share of searches among wing chains in the United States, from 5.8% to 4.8%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Wing Snob in the United States fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 135K to 110K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Buffalo Wild Wings in the United States fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 6.1M to 5M in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Bonchon in the United States fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 301K to 246K in September 2026.
Compare popularity between leading brands
- Wingstop vs Buffalo Wild Wings: compare popularity
- Wingstop vs Hooters: compare popularity
- Wingstop vs Pluckers Wing Bar: compare popularity
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Hooters: compare popularity
- Buffalo Wild Wings vs Pluckers Wing Bar: compare popularity
- Hooters vs Pluckers Wing Bar: compare popularity
- Compare any of these brands
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