Popeyes vs Zaxby's:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Popeyes had more branded searches than Zaxby's among fried chicken chains in the United States. Popeyes had about 2.7 million branded searches, while Zaxby's had 1.2 million. Popeyes made up 6.1% of all fried chicken chain searches we track, and Zaxby's accounted for 2.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fried chicken chains, Popeyes appeared in all three answers and Zaxby's in two. Popeyes was mentioned before Zaxby's in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Popeyes, about 2 searches for every 1 for Zaxby's
Who does AI mention more?
Popeyes, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Popeyes, named ahead of Zaxby's in every answer
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Top fried chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Popeyes appeared in all three answers. Zaxby's was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Popeyes was listed before Zaxby's in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Popeyes1st
Chick-fil-A2nd
Raising Cane’s3rd
KFC4th
Dave's Hot Chicken5th
Zaxby's6th
Wingstop7th- Jollibee8th
Bojangles9th
Church's Texas Chicken–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Chick-fil-A3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Popeyes3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Raising Cane’s3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Wingstop2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- KFC2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Dave's Hot Chicken2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Jollibee2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Zaxby's2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Bojangles1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
- Church's Texas Chicken0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
See every answer about fried chicken chains
3 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which fast food chain has the best fried chicken in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best chicken chains in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Where can I get the best chicken tenders from a fast food chain in the US?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best fried chicken”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“chicken places”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
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 Popeyes or Zaxby's more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Popeyes and Zaxby's by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten fried chicken chains we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Popeyes, Zaxby's. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Chick-fil-A | Wingstop | KFC | Dave's Hot Chicken | Popeyes | Bojangles | Raising Cane’s | Jollibee | Zaxby's | Church's Texas Chicken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 42.4% | 15.6% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.7% | 15.3% | 10.2% | 8.4% | 10.2% | 3.7% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.9% | 15.4% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.4% | 15.5% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.9% | 16.5% | 9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 4% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 1.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.3% | 15.5% | 10.4% | 10.4% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 43.1% | 15.8% | 10.6% | 8.6% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 42.8% | 15.7% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 7% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 43.4% | 15.9% | 10.6% | 8.7% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 3.2% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 48% | 14.4% | 9.6% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 48.1% | 14.5% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.4% | 16.6% | 11.1% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 1.2% |
How has the Popeyes and Zaxby's comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Popeyes was ahead of Zaxby's in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Popeyes’ share of searches among fried chicken chains in the United States moved from 8.5% to 6.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.1M to 2.7M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zaxby's’ share of searches among fried chicken chains in the United States moved from 3.1% to 2.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.5M to 1.2M.
How did search popularity change for United States fried chicken chains in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Popeyes’ and Zaxby'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.
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