Brandwave

Applebee's vs LongHorn Steakhouse:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Applebee's had more branded searches than LongHorn Steakhouse among casual dining chains in the United States. Applebee's had about 4.5 million branded searches, while LongHorn Steakhouse had 2.7 million. Applebee's made up 11.8% of all casual dining chain searches we track, and LongHorn Steakhouse accounted for 7.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about casual dining chains, LongHorn Steakhouse appeared in two of the three answers and Applebee's in none.

Among casual dining chains in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Applebee's, about 64% more searches than LongHorn Steakhouse

Applebee's 4.5M searchesLongHorn Steakhouse 2.7M searches

Who does AI mention more?

LongHorn Steakhouse, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Applebee's in 0

LongHorn Steakhouse in 2 of 3Applebee's in 0 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

LongHorn Steakhouse, the only one of the two named

LongHorn Steakhouse first in 2Applebee's never named

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Top casual dining chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, LongHorn Steakhouse was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Applebee's did not appear in any of the three answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. The Cheesecake Factory1st
  2. Texas Roadhouse2nd
  3. Olive Garden3rd
  4. Chili's4th
  5. LongHorn Steakhouse5th
  6. Cracker Barrel6th
  7. Buffalo Wild Wings–
  8. Applebee's–
  9. Red Lobster–
  10. TGI Fridays–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

See every answer about casual dining chains

3 answers

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.

Is Applebee's or LongHorn Steakhouse more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Applebee's and LongHorn Steakhouse by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten casual dining chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Applebee's and LongHorn Steakhouse among casual dining chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Applebee's, LongHorn Steakhouse. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthTexas RoadhouseChili'sBuffalo Wild WingsOlive GardenApplebee'sLongHorn SteakhouseThe Cheesecake FactoryCracker BarrelRed LobsterTGI Fridays
Oct 202520.6%18.4%13.8%11.2%12.3%7.5%6.2%5%4.1%0.83%
Nov 202522.8%20.5%12.6%10.3%11.2%6.9%5.6%5.6%3.8%0.76%
Dec 202523.6%17.4%13%10.6%11.7%7.1%7.1%4.8%3.9%0.78%
Jan 202623.8%17.6%13.1%10.7%11.8%7.2%7.2%3.9%3.9%0.79%
Feb 202623.8%17.5%10.7%10.7%11.8%8.8%7.2%3.9%4.8%0.79%
Mar 202624.1%17.8%10.9%10.9%11.9%8.9%6%4%4.9%0.8%
Apr 202622.6%16.6%12.4%10.1%13.6%8.3%5.5%4.5%5.5%0.75%
May 202623.7%17.5%10.7%8.7%14.3%8.7%5.8%3.9%5.8%0.79%
Jun 202622.6%16.6%12.4%10.1%13.6%8.3%5.5%4.5%5.5%0.75%
Jul 202622.6%16.6%12.4%10.1%13.5%8.3%6.8%4.5%4.5%0.74%
Aug 202622.6%16.6%12.4%10.1%13.5%8.3%6.8%4.5%4.5%0.74%
Sep 202619.6%17.6%13.1%13.1%11.8%7.2%7.2%4.8%4.8%0.79%

How has the Applebee's and LongHorn Steakhouse comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for United States casual dining chains in September 2026?

4 changes

  1. In September 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings overtook Applebee's to rank 3rd among casual dining chains in the United States, with 13.1% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Olive Garden overtook Applebee's to rank 4th among casual dining chains in the United States, with 13.1% of the searches.

  3. In September 2026, Applebee's lost share of searches among casual dining chains in the United States, from 13.5% to 11.8%.

  4. In September 2026, LongHorn Steakhouse lost share of searches among casual dining chains in the United States, from 8.3% to 7.2%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Applebee's’ and LongHorn Steakhouse’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.

Applebee's

2 branded search terms

  • applebee's
  • applebees

LongHorn Steakhouse

1 branded search term

  • longhorn steakhouse

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among casual dining chains

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