Applebee's vs Red Lobster:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Applebee's had more branded searches than Red Lobster among casual dining chains in the United States. Applebee's had about 4.5 million branded searches, while Red Lobster had 1.8 million. Applebee's made up 11.8% of all casual dining chain searches we track, and Red Lobster accounted for 4.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about casual dining chains, neither Applebee's nor Red Lobster appeared in any of the three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Applebee's, about 2 searches for every 1 for Red Lobster
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 0 of 3 answers.
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Top casual dining chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, neither Applebee's nor Red Lobster showed up in any of the three answers.
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.
Texas Roadhouse3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Chili's3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Olive Garden3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
The Cheesecake Factory3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
LongHorn Steakhouse2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Cracker Barrel2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Buffalo Wild Wings0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers- Applebee's0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
Red Lobster0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
TGI Fridays0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about casual dining chains
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which casual dining chain is the best in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best sit-down restaurant chains in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which restaurant chain in the US is best for a family dinner?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sit down restaurants”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“casual dining restaurants”
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.
Is Applebee's or Red Lobster more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Applebee's and Red Lobster 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.
Share of searches by month for Applebee's, Red Lobster. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Texas Roadhouse | Chili's | Buffalo Wild Wings | Olive Garden | Applebee's | LongHorn Steakhouse | The Cheesecake Factory | Cracker Barrel | Red Lobster | TGI Fridays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 20.6% | 18.4% | 13.8% | 11.2% | 12.3% | 7.5% | 6.2% | 5% | 4.1% | 0.83% |
| Nov 2025 | 22.8% | 20.5% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 11.2% | 6.9% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 3.8% | 0.76% |
| Dec 2025 | 23.6% | 17.4% | 13% | 10.6% | 11.7% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 4.8% | 3.9% | 0.78% |
| Jan 2026 | 23.8% | 17.6% | 13.1% | 10.7% | 11.8% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 0.79% |
| Feb 2026 | 23.8% | 17.5% | 10.7% | 10.7% | 11.8% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 3.9% | 4.8% | 0.79% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.1% | 17.8% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 11.9% | 8.9% | 6% | 4% | 4.9% | 0.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.6% | 16.6% | 12.4% | 10.1% | 13.6% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 5.5% | 0.75% |
| May 2026 | 23.7% | 17.5% | 10.7% | 8.7% | 14.3% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 3.9% | 5.8% | 0.79% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.6% | 16.6% | 12.4% | 10.1% | 13.6% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 5.5% | 0.75% |
| Jul 2026 | 22.6% | 16.6% | 12.4% | 10.1% | 13.5% | 8.3% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 0.74% |
| Aug 2026 | 22.6% | 16.6% | 12.4% | 10.1% | 13.5% | 8.3% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 0.74% |
| Sep 2026 | 19.6% | 17.6% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 11.8% | 7.2% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.79% |
How has the Applebee's and Red Lobster comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Applebee's was ahead of Red Lobster in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Applebee's’ share of searches among casual dining chains in the United States moved from 12.3% to 11.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.5M to 4.5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Red Lobster’s share of searches among casual dining chains in the United States moved from 4.1% to 4.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.8M.
How did search popularity change for United States casual dining chains in September 2026?
3 changes
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.
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.
In September 2026, Applebee's lost share of searches among casual dining chains in the United States, from 13.5% to 11.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Applebee's’ and Red Lobster’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
Red Lobster
1 branded search term
- red lobster
Other head-to-heads among casual dining chains
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