City Barbeque vs Sonny's BBQ:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, City Barbeque had more branded searches than Sonny's BBQ among BBQ chains in the United States. City Barbeque had about 602,000 branded searches, while Sonny's BBQ had 246,000. City Barbeque made up 33% of all BBQ chain searches we track, and Sonny's BBQ accounted for 13.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about BBQ chains, City Barbeque appeared in three of the four answers and Sonny's BBQ in one. City Barbeque was mentioned before Sonny's BBQ in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
City Barbeque, about 2 searches for every 1 for Sonny's BBQ
Who does AI mention more?
City Barbeque, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Sonny's BBQ in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
City Barbeque, named ahead of Sonny's BBQ in 2 of 3 answers
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Top BBQ chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, City Barbeque was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Sonny's BBQ was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. City Barbeque was listed before Sonny's BBQ in two out of 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.
Mission BBQ3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- City Barbeque3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Dickey's Barbecue Pit3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Pappas Bar-B-Q2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Famous Dave's2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Sonny's BBQ1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about BBQ chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best BBQ chain in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which barbecue restaurant chain in the US has the best brisket?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the most popular BBQ chains in the US?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bbq restaurants”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bbq near me”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 23, 2026.
Is City Barbeque or Sonny's BBQ more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for City Barbeque and Sonny's BBQ by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven BBQ chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for City Barbeque, Sonny's BBQ. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Mission BBQ | City Barbeque | Sonny's BBQ | Dickey's Barbecue Pit | Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q | Pappas Bar-B-Q | Famous Dave's |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 38.1% | 27.8% | 13.9% | 12.4% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 0.11% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.7% | 28.3% | 11.6% | 12.7% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 0.09% |
| Dec 2025 | 34.3% | 30.7% | 15.3% | 11.2% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 0.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.3% | 28.7% | 14.3% | 10.6% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 0.09% |
| Feb 2026 | 39.3% | 28.7% | 14.3% | 10.6% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 0.09% |
| Mar 2026 | 39% | 28.5% | 14.2% | 10.4% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 0.09% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.2% | 31.5% | 15.8% | 9.5% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 0.1% |
| May 2026 | 36.9% | 33% | 13.5% | 8.1% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 0.11% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.3% | 28.8% | 14.4% | 8.6% | 5.3% | 3.5% | 0.09% |
| Jul 2026 | 32.4% | 35.4% | 14.5% | 8.7% | 5.3% | 3.6% | 0.12% |
| Aug 2026 | 35.2% | 31.5% | 15.8% | 9.5% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 0.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 36.9% | 33% | 13.5% | 8.1% | 5% | 3.3% | 0.1% |
How has the City Barbeque and Sonny's BBQ comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- City Barbeque was ahead of Sonny's BBQ in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, City Barbeque’s share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States moved from 27.8% to 33%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 492K to 602K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sonny's BBQ’s share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States moved from 13.9% to 13.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 246K.
How did search popularity change for United States BBQ chains in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, City Barbeque gained share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 31.5% to 33%.
In September 2026, Sonny's BBQ lost share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 15.8% to 13.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using City Barbeque’s and Sonny's BBQ’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.
City Barbeque
2 branded search terms
- city barbeque
- city bbq
Sonny's BBQ
1 branded search term
- sonnys bbq
Other head-to-heads among BBQ chains
- Mission BBQ vs City Barbeque: compare popularity
- Mission BBQ vs Sonny's BBQ: compare popularity
- Mission BBQ vs Dickey's Barbecue Pit: compare popularity
- Mission BBQ vs Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q: compare popularity
- City Barbeque vs Dickey's Barbecue Pit: compare popularity
- City Barbeque vs Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q: compare popularity
Put your own brand in this comparison
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