Famous Dave's vs Sonny's BBQ:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Sonny's BBQ had more branded searches than Famous Dave's among BBQ chains in the United States. Sonny's BBQ had about 246,000 branded searches, while Famous Dave's had 1,900. Sonny's BBQ made up 13.5% 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 appeared in two of the four answers and Sonny's BBQ in one. Famous Dave's was mentioned before Sonny's BBQ in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Sonny's BBQ, about 129 searches for every 1 for Famous Dave's
Who does AI mention more?
Famous Dave's, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Sonny's BBQ in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Famous Dave's, named ahead of Sonny's BBQ in 2 of 2 answers
Follow Famous Dave's vs Sonny's BBQ 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
Top BBQ chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Famous Dave's was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the 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. Famous Dave's was listed before Sonny's BBQ 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 Sonny's BBQ more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Famous Dave's 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.
Share of searches by month for Sonny's BBQ, 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 Sonny's BBQ comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Sonny's BBQ 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, Sonny's BBQ’s share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States moved from 13.9% to 13.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 246K.
How did search popularity change for United States BBQ chains in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Sonny's BBQ lost share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 15.8% to 13.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Famous Dave'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.
Famous Dave's
1 branded search term
- famous daves
Sonny's BBQ
1 branded search term
- sonnys 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
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.