Brandwave

Duck Donuts vs Krispy Kreme:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Krispy Kreme had more branded searches than Duck Donuts among donut chains in the United States. Krispy Kreme had about 2.2 million branded searches, while Duck Donuts had 301,000. Krispy Kreme made up 15.3% of all donut chain searches we track, and Duck Donuts accounted for 2.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about donut chains, both Duck Donuts and Krispy Kreme appeared in all three answers. Krispy Kreme was mentioned before Duck Donuts in every answer.

Among donut chains in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Krispy Kreme, about 7 searches for every 1 for Duck Donuts

Krispy Kreme 2.2M searchesDuck Donuts 301K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Duck Donuts in 3 of 3Krispy Kreme in 3 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Krispy Kreme, named ahead of Duck Donuts in every answer

Krispy Kreme first in 3Duck Donuts never first

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Top donut chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, both Duck Donuts and Krispy Kreme showed up in all three answers. Krispy Kreme was listed before Duck Donuts in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Krispy Kreme1st
  2. Duck Donuts2nd
  3. Shipley Do-Nuts3rd
  4. Dunkin'4th
  5. Tim Hortons–

Mentioned by AI

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

See every answer about donut 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 Duck Donuts or Krispy Kreme more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Duck Donuts and Krispy Kreme by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five donut chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Duck Donuts and Krispy Kreme among donut chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Krispy Kreme, Duck Donuts. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthDunkin'Krispy KremeTim HortonsDuck DonutsShipley Do-Nuts
Oct 202575.8%13.6%6.1%2.2%2.2%
Nov 202573.6%16.2%5.9%2.2%2.2%
Dec 202573.6%16.2%5.9%2.2%2.2%
Jan 202672%15.8%7%2.6%2.6%
Feb 202673.2%16.1%5.9%2.2%2.6%
Mar 202672.1%17.1%6.2%2.3%2.3%
Apr 202673.1%15.1%6.8%2.5%2.5%
May 202675.9%13.6%6.1%2.2%2.2%
Jun 202675.5%13.5%6%2.7%2.2%
Jul 202675.5%13.5%6%2.7%2.2%
Aug 202673.8%15.3%6.8%2.1%2.1%
Sep 202673.8%15.3%6.8%2.1%2.1%

How has the Duck Donuts and Krispy Kreme comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

1 change

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Duck Donuts in the United States fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 368K to 301K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Duck Donuts’ and Krispy Kreme’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.

Duck Donuts

1 branded search term

  • duck donuts

Krispy Kreme

1 branded search term

  • krispy kreme

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among donut chains

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