Panda Express vs Pei Wei:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Panda Express had more branded searches than Pei Wei among asian fast casual chains in the United States. Panda Express had about 7.5 million branded searches, while Pei Wei had 135,000. Panda Express made up 74.8% of all asian fast casual chain searches we track, and Pei Wei accounted for 1.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about asian fast casual chains, Panda Express appeared in three of the four answers and Pei Wei in one. Panda Express was mentioned before Pei Wei in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Panda Express, about 55 searches for every 1 for Pei Wei
Who does AI mention more?
Panda Express, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Pei Wei in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Panda Express, named ahead of Pei Wei in every answer
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Top asian fast casual chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Panda Express was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Pei Wei was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Panda Express was listed before Pei Wei in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Panda Express1st
Sarku Japan2nd
Teriyaki Madness3rd
P.F. Chang's4th
Bonchon5th
Pei Wei6th
Noodles & Company7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Panda Express3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Sarku Japan3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Teriyaki Madness2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Bonchon2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Noodles & Company1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- P.F. Chang's1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Pei Wei1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about asian fast casual chains
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best Chinese fast food chain in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Asian fast casual chain in the US is best?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the most popular Asian restaurant chains in the US?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“chinese food”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“asian restaurants”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 23, 2026.
Is Panda Express or Pei Wei more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Panda Express and Pei Wei by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven asian fast casual chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Panda Express, Pei Wei. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Panda Express | Noodles & Company | P.F. Chang's | Teriyaki Madness | Bonchon | Pei Wei | Sarku Japan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 74% | 9.9% | 5.4% | 4.5% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 73.5% | 9.8% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 72.6% | 9.7% | 6.5% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 74% | 9.9% | 5.4% | 4.5% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 73.9% | 9.9% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 72.4% | 11.8% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 73.7% | 9.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 3% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| May 2026 | 72.8% | 9.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 74.6% | 10% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 73.5% | 9.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 3% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 77.8% | 8.5% | 4.7% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 1.1% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 74.8% | 10% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
How has the Panda Express and Pei Wei comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Panda Express was ahead of Pei Wei in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Panda Express’ share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States moved from 74% to 74.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 7.5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pei Wei’s share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States moved from 1.6% to 1.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.
How did search popularity change for United States asian fast casual chains in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Panda Express lost share of searches among asian fast casual chains in the United States, from 77.8% to 74.8%.
In September 2026, Pei Wei rose from 7th to 6th among asian fast casual chains in the United States.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Panda Express’ and Pei Wei’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.
Panda Express
1 branded search term
- panda express
Pei Wei
1 branded search term
- pei wei
Other head-to-heads among asian fast casual chains
- Panda Express vs Noodles & Company: compare popularity
- Panda Express vs P.F. Chang's: compare popularity
- Panda Express vs Teriyaki Madness: compare popularity
- Panda Express vs Bonchon: compare popularity
- Noodles & Company vs P.F. Chang's: compare popularity
- Noodles & Company vs Teriyaki Madness: compare popularity
Put your own brand in this comparison
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