Brandwave

Del Taco vs Taco Bell:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Taco Bell had more branded searches than Del Taco among mexican fast food chains in the United States. Taco Bell had about 13.6 million branded searches, while Del Taco had 823,000. Taco Bell made up 52.2% of all mexican fast food chain searches we track, and Del Taco accounted for 3.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mexican fast food chains, both Del Taco and Taco Bell appeared in all three answers. Taco Bell was mentioned before Del Taco in two out of three answers.

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

Who do people search for more?

Taco Bell, about 17 searches for every 1 for Del Taco

Taco Bell 13.6M searchesDel Taco 823K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Del Taco in 3 of 3Taco Bell in 3 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Taco Bell, named ahead of Del Taco in 2 of 3 answers

Taco Bell first in 2Del Taco first in 1

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Top mexican fast food chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, both Del Taco and Taco Bell showed up in all three answers. Taco Bell was listed before Del Taco in two of them.

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 Del Taco or Taco Bell more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Del Taco 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.

Del Taco and Taco Bell among mexican fast food chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Taco Bell, Del Taco. 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 Del Taco 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, Del Taco lost share of searches among mexican fast food chains in the United States, from 3.7% to 3.2%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Del Taco’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.

Del Taco

1 branded search term

  • del taco

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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