Brandwave

Dickey's Barbecue Pit vs Sonny's BBQ:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Sonny's BBQ had more branded searches than Dickey's Barbecue Pit among BBQ chains in the United States. Sonny's BBQ had about 246,000 branded searches, while Dickey's Barbecue Pit had 148,000. Sonny's BBQ made up 13.5% of all BBQ chain searches we track, and Dickey's Barbecue Pit accounted for 8.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about BBQ chains, Dickey's Barbecue Pit appeared in three of the four answers and Sonny's BBQ in one. Dickey's Barbecue Pit was mentioned before Sonny's BBQ in every answer.

Among BBQ chains in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Sonny's BBQ, about 66% more searches than Dickey's Barbecue Pit

Sonny's BBQ 246K searchesDickey's Barbecue Pit 148K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Dickey's Barbecue Pit, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Sonny's BBQ in 1

Dickey's Barbecue Pit in 3 of 4Sonny's BBQ in 1 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Dickey's Barbecue Pit, named ahead of Sonny's BBQ in every answer

Dickey's Barbecue Pit first in 3Sonny's BBQ never first

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Top BBQ chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Dickey's Barbecue Pit 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. Dickey's Barbecue Pit was listed before Sonny's BBQ in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Mission BBQ1st
  2. Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q2nd
  3. City Barbeque3rd
  4. Dickey's Barbecue Pit4th
  5. Famous Dave's5th
  6. Sonny's BBQ6th
  7. Pappas Bar-B-Q7th

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

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 23, 2026.

Is Dickey's Barbecue Pit or Sonny's BBQ more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Dickey's Barbecue Pit 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.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit and Sonny's BBQ among BBQ chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Sonny's BBQ, Dickey's Barbecue Pit. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMission BBQCity BarbequeSonny's BBQDickey's Barbecue PitRudy's Country Store and Bar-B-QPappas Bar-B-QFamous Dave's
Oct 202538.1%27.8%13.9%12.4%4.2%3.4%0.11%
Nov 202538.7%28.3%11.6%12.7%4.3%4.3%0.09%
Dec 202534.3%30.7%15.3%11.2%4.6%3.8%0.1%
Jan 202639.3%28.7%14.3%10.6%3.5%3.5%0.09%
Feb 202639.3%28.7%14.3%10.6%3.5%3.5%0.09%
Mar 202639%28.5%14.2%10.4%4.3%3.5%0.09%
Apr 202635.2%31.5%15.8%9.5%4.7%3.2%0.1%
May 202636.9%33%13.5%8.1%4.9%3.3%0.11%
Jun 202639.3%28.8%14.4%8.6%5.3%3.5%0.09%
Jul 202632.4%35.4%14.5%8.7%5.3%3.6%0.12%
Aug 202635.2%31.5%15.8%9.5%4.7%3.2%0.1%
Sep 202636.9%33%13.5%8.1%5%3.3%0.1%

How has the Dickey's Barbecue Pit and Sonny's BBQ comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Sonny's BBQ lost share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 15.8% to 13.5%.

  2. In September 2026, Dickey's Barbecue Pit lost share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 9.5% to 8.1%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Dickey's Barbecue Pit’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.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit

2 branded search terms

  • dickeys barbecue
  • dickeys bbq

Sonny's BBQ

1 branded search term

  • sonnys bbq

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among BBQ chains

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