Brandwave

Cracker Barrel vs LongHorn Steakhouse:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, LongHorn Steakhouse had more branded searches than Cracker Barrel among casual dining chains in the United States. LongHorn Steakhouse had about 2.7 million branded searches, while Cracker Barrel had 1.8 million. LongHorn Steakhouse made up 7.2% of all casual dining chain searches we track, and Cracker Barrel accounted for 4.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about casual dining chains, Cracker Barrel and LongHorn Steakhouse each appeared in two of the three answers. LongHorn Steakhouse was mentioned before Cracker Barrel in two out of three answers.

Among casual dining chains in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

LongHorn Steakhouse, about 50% more searches than Cracker Barrel

LongHorn Steakhouse 2.7M searchesCracker Barrel 1.8M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 2 of 3 answers.

Cracker Barrel in 2 of 3LongHorn Steakhouse in 2 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

LongHorn Steakhouse, named ahead of Cracker Barrel in 2 of 3 answers

LongHorn Steakhouse first in 2Cracker Barrel first in 1

Follow Cracker Barrel vs LongHorn Steakhouse 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 casual dining chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Cracker Barrel and LongHorn Steakhouse were each mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. LongHorn Steakhouse was listed before Cracker Barrel in two out of 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 Cracker Barrel or LongHorn Steakhouse more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Cracker Barrel 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.

Cracker Barrel and LongHorn Steakhouse among casual dining chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for LongHorn Steakhouse, Cracker Barrel. 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 Cracker Barrel 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?

2 changes

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

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Cracker Barrel in the United States fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 2.2M to 1.8M in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Cracker Barrel’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.

Cracker Barrel

1 branded search term

  • cracker barrel

LongHorn Steakhouse

1 branded search term

  • longhorn steakhouse

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among casual dining 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