Brandwave

Chipotle Mexican Grill vs Taco Bell:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Taco Bell had more branded searches than Chipotle Mexican Grill among mexican fast food chains in the United States. Taco Bell had about 13.6 million branded searches, while Chipotle Mexican Grill had 7.5 million. Taco Bell made up 52.2% of all mexican fast food chain searches we track, and Chipotle Mexican Grill accounted for 28.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mexican fast food chains, both Chipotle Mexican Grill and Taco Bell appeared in all three answers. Chipotle Mexican Grill was mentioned before Taco Bell in every answer.

Among mexican fast food chains in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Taco Bell, about 82% more searches than Chipotle Mexican Grill

Taco Bell 13.6M searchesChipotle Mexican Grill 7.5M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Chipotle Mexican Grill in 3 of 3Taco Bell in 3 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Chipotle Mexican Grill, named ahead of Taco Bell in every answer

Chipotle Mexican Grill first in 3Taco Bell never first

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Top mexican fast food chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, both Chipotle Mexican Grill and Taco Bell showed up in all three answers. Chipotle Mexican Grill was listed before Taco Bell in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Chipotle Mexican Grill1st
  2. Del Taco2nd
  3. Taco Bell3rd
  4. QDOBA4th
  5. Freebirds World Burrito5th
  6. Torchy's Tacos6th
  7. Moe's Southwest Grill7th
  8. Taco John's8th
  9. El Pollo Loco–

Mentioned by AI

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

See every answer about mexican fast food 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 Chipotle Mexican Grill or Taco Bell more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Chipotle Mexican Grill and Taco Bell by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine mexican fast food chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Chipotle Mexican Grill and Taco Bell among mexican fast food chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Taco Bell, Chipotle Mexican Grill. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthTaco BellChipotle Mexican GrillQDOBAEl Pollo LocoDel TacoMoe's Southwest GrillTorchy's TacosTaco John'sFreebirds World Burrito
Oct 202550.9%28%6.9%3.7%3.7%2.1%2.5%1.4%0.75%
Nov 202551.7%28.4%7%3.1%3.8%1.7%2.1%1.4%0.76%
Dec 202548.9%32.9%5.4%3%3.6%2%2.4%1.1%0.72%
Jan 202648.5%32.6%6.5%2.9%3.6%1.6%2.4%1.1%0.72%
Feb 202647.5%32%6.4%3.5%3.5%1.9%2.9%1.3%0.86%
Mar 202648.1%32.3%6.5%3.5%3.5%1.9%2.4%1.1%0.71%
Apr 202651.1%28.1%6.9%3.8%3.8%2.1%2.5%1.1%0.75%
May 202650.9%28%6.9%3.7%3.7%2.1%2.5%1.4%0.75%
Jun 202651.3%28.2%6.9%3.8%3.1%2.1%2.5%1.4%0.76%
Jul 202654.4%24.5%6%4%4%2.2%2.7%1.5%0.8%
Aug 202650.9%28%6.9%3.7%3.7%2.1%2.5%1.4%0.75%
Sep 202652.2%28.7%5.8%3.8%3.2%2.1%2.1%1.4%0.63%

How has the Chipotle Mexican Grill and Taco Bell comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for United States mexican fast food chains in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Taco Bell gained share of searches among mexican fast food chains in the United States, from 50.9% to 52.2%.

  2. In September 2026, Chipotle Mexican Grill gained share of searches among mexican fast food chains in the United States, from 28% to 28.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chipotle Mexican Grill’s and Taco Bell’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.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

1 branded search term

  • chipotle

Taco Bell

1 branded search term

  • taco bell

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among mexican fast food chains

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