Pappas Bar-B-Q vs Sonny's BBQ:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Sonny's BBQ had more branded searches than Pappas Bar-B-Q among BBQ chains in the United States. Sonny's BBQ had about 246,000 branded searches, while Pappas Bar-B-Q had 60,500. Sonny's BBQ made up 13.5% of all BBQ chain searches we track, and Pappas Bar-B-Q accounted for 3.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about BBQ chains, Pappas Bar-B-Q appeared in two of the four answers and Sonny's BBQ in one. Pappas Bar-B-Q and Sonny's BBQ were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Sonny's BBQ, about 4 searches for every 1 for Pappas Bar-B-Q
Who does AI mention more?
Pappas Bar-B-Q, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Sonny's BBQ in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 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, Pappas Bar-B-Q 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. Pappas Bar-B-Q and Sonny's BBQ were each listed first in one of the two answers 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 Pappas Bar-B-Q or Sonny's BBQ more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Pappas Bar-B-Q 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, Pappas Bar-B-Q. 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 Pappas Bar-B-Q and Sonny's BBQ comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Sonny's BBQ was ahead of Pappas Bar-B-Q in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- 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 Pappas Bar-B-Q’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.
Pappas Bar-B-Q
1 branded search term
- pappas 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 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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