Famous Dave's vs Pappas Bar-B-Q:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Pappas Bar-B-Q had more branded searches than Famous Dave's among BBQ chains in the United States. Pappas Bar-B-Q had about 60,500 branded searches, while Famous Dave's had 1,900. Pappas Bar-B-Q made up 3.3% of all BBQ chain searches we track, and Famous Dave's accounted for 0.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about BBQ chains, Famous Dave's and Pappas Bar-B-Q each appeared in two of the four answers. Famous Dave's was mentioned before Pappas Bar-B-Q in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Pappas Bar-B-Q, about 32 searches for every 1 for Famous Dave's
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 2 of 4 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Famous Dave's, named ahead of Pappas Bar-B-Q in 2 of 2 answers
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Top BBQ chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Famous Dave's and Pappas Bar-B-Q were each mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Famous Dave's was listed before Pappas Bar-B-Q in every answer that named either.
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 Famous Dave's or Pappas Bar-B-Q more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Famous Dave's and Pappas Bar-B-Q 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 Pappas Bar-B-Q, Famous Dave's. 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 Famous Dave's and Pappas Bar-B-Q comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Pappas Bar-B-Q was ahead of Famous Dave's in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Famous Dave's’ share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States moved from 0.11% to 0.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pappas Bar-B-Q’s share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States moved from 3.4% to 3.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for United States BBQ chains in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither Famous Dave's nor Pappas Bar-B-Q moved beyond provider rounding among BBQ chains in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Famous Dave's’ and Pappas Bar-B-Q’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.
Famous Dave's
1 branded search term
- famous daves
Pappas Bar-B-Q
1 branded search term
- pappas 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 Sonny's BBQ: compare popularity
- City Barbeque vs Dickey's Barbecue Pit: compare popularity
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