Mission BBQ vs Sonny's BBQ:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Mission BBQ had more branded searches than Sonny's BBQ among BBQ chains in the United States. Mission BBQ had about 673,000 branded searches, while Sonny's BBQ had 246,000. Mission BBQ made up 36.9% of all BBQ chain searches we track, and Sonny's BBQ accounted for 13.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about BBQ chains, Mission BBQ appeared in three of the four answers and Sonny's BBQ in one. Mission BBQ was mentioned before Sonny's BBQ in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Mission BBQ, about 3 searches for every 1 for Sonny's BBQ
Who does AI mention more?
Mission BBQ, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Sonny's BBQ in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Mission BBQ, named ahead of Sonny's BBQ in every answer
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Top BBQ chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Mission BBQ 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. Mission BBQ 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.
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 Mission BBQ or Sonny's BBQ more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Mission BBQ 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 Mission BBQ, Sonny's BBQ. 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 Mission BBQ and Sonny's BBQ comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Mission BBQ was ahead of Sonny's BBQ in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mission BBQ’s share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States moved from 38.1% to 36.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 673K.
- 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?
2 changes
In September 2026, Mission BBQ gained share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 35.2% to 36.9%.
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 Mission BBQ’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.
Mission BBQ
1 branded search term
- mission bbq
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 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
- City Barbeque vs Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q: compare popularity
Put your own brand in this comparison
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