Brandwave

Burger King vs Shake Shack:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Burger King had more branded searches than Shake Shack among burger chains in the United States. Burger King had about 11.1 million branded searches, while Shake Shack had 1.5 million. Burger King made up 16.7% of all burger chain searches we track, and Shake Shack accounted for 2.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about burger chains, Shake Shack appeared in three of the four answers and Burger King in two. Shake Shack was mentioned before Burger King in every answer that named either.

Among burger chains in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Burger King, about 7 searches for every 1 for Shake Shack

Burger King 11.1M searchesShake Shack 1.5M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Shake Shack, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Burger King in 2

Shake Shack in 3 of 4Burger King in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Shake Shack, named ahead of Burger King in 3 of 3 answers

Shake Shack first in 3Burger King never first

Follow Burger King vs Shake Shack and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top burger chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Shake Shack was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Burger King was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Shake Shack was listed before Burger King in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. In-N-Out Burger1st
  2. Five Guys2nd
  3. Culver's3rd
  4. Shake Shack4th
  5. Whataburger5th
  6. Wendy's6th
  7. The Habit Burger Grill7th
  8. McDonald's8th
  9. Burger King9th
  10. Smashburger10th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • In-N-Out Burger4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Culver's3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Five Guys3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Shake Shack3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • The Habit Burger Grill3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • McDonald's2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Burger King2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Wendy's2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Whataburger2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Smashburger1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about burger chains

4 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.

Is Burger King or Shake Shack more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Burger King and Shake Shack by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten burger chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Burger King and Shake Shack among burger chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Burger King, Shake Shack. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMcDonald'sBurger KingWendy'sCulver'sFive GuysWhataburgerShake ShackIn-N-Out BurgerSmashburgerThe Habit Burger Grill
Oct 202551.7%12.7%12.7%7%4.7%5.7%2.5%1.7%0.94%0.34%
Nov 202547.2%14.2%14.2%6.3%5.2%6.3%2.8%2.3%1%0.38%
Dec 202550%14.9%12.3%6.7%4.5%5.5%2.5%2.5%0.9%0.33%
Jan 202649.7%12.2%12.2%6.7%5.5%6.7%3%2.5%1.1%0.4%
Feb 202650.6%12.4%12.4%6.8%5.6%5.6%3%2%1.1%0.41%
Mar 202644.5%16.3%13.4%7.3%6%6%2.7%2.2%1.2%0.44%
Apr 202646.9%14.1%14.1%7.7%5.2%6.3%2.3%1.9%1%0.38%
May 202645.9%13.8%13.8%9.2%5.1%6.2%2.8%1.8%1%0.45%
Jun 202647%14.1%14.1%7.7%5.2%6.3%2.3%1.9%0.85%0.47%
Jul 202651.2%12.6%12.6%8.4%4.6%5.6%2.1%1.7%0.76%0.41%
Aug 202650.8%12.5%12.5%8.4%4.6%5.6%2.5%2%0.75%0.41%
Sep 202645.6%16.7%13.7%7.5%6.1%5%2.3%1.8%0.83%0.37%

How has the Burger King and Shake Shack comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Burger King gained share of searches among burger chains in the United States, from 12.5% to 16.7%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Shake Shack in the United States fell 18% over 12 measured months, from 1.8M to 1.5M in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Burger King’s and Shake Shack’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.

Burger King

1 branded search term

  • burger king

Shake Shack

1 branded search term

  • shake shack

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among burger chains

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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.

Start free