Brandwave

Krispy Kreme vs Tim Hortons:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Krispy Kreme had more branded searches than Tim Hortons among donut chains in the United States. Krispy Kreme had about 2.2 million branded searches, while Tim Hortons had 1 million. Krispy Kreme made up 15.3% of all donut chain searches we track, and Tim Hortons accounted for 6.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about donut chains, Krispy Kreme appeared in all three answers and Tim Hortons in none.

Among donut chains in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Krispy Kreme, about 2 searches for every 1 for Tim Hortons

Krispy Kreme 2.2M searchesTim Hortons 1M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Krispy Kreme, mentioned in every answer we collected

Krispy Kreme in 3 of 3Tim Hortons in 0 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Krispy Kreme, the only one of the two named

Krispy Kreme first in 3Tim Hortons never named

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Top donut chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Krispy Kreme appeared in all three answers. Tim Hortons did not appear in any of the three answers.

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 Krispy Kreme or Tim Hortons more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Krispy Kreme and Tim Hortons 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.

Krispy Kreme and Tim Hortons among donut chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Krispy Kreme, Tim Hortons. 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 Krispy Kreme and Tim Hortons comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

0 changes

Neither Krispy Kreme nor Tim Hortons moved beyond provider rounding among donut chains in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Krispy Kreme’s and Tim Hortons’ 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.

Krispy Kreme

1 branded search term

  • krispy kreme

Tim Hortons

1 branded search term

  • tim hortons

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among donut chains

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