Raising Cane’s vs Wingstop:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Wingstop had more branded searches than Raising Cane’s among fried chicken chains in the United States. Wingstop had about 7.5 million branded searches, while Raising Cane’s had 1.5 million. Wingstop made up 16.6% of all fried chicken chain searches we track, and Raising Cane’s accounted for 3.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fried chicken chains, Raising Cane’s appeared in all three answers and Wingstop in two. Raising Cane’s was mentioned before Wingstop in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Wingstop, about 5 searches for every 1 for Raising Cane’s
Who does AI mention more?
Raising Cane’s, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Raising Cane’s, named ahead of Wingstop in every answer
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Top fried chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Raising Cane’s appeared in all three answers. Wingstop was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Raising Cane’s was listed before Wingstop 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 Raising Cane’s or Wingstop more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Raising Cane’s and Wingstop 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 Wingstop, Raising Cane’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 Raising Cane’s and Wingstop comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Wingstop was ahead of Raising Cane’s in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Raising Cane’s’ share of searches among fried chicken chains in the United States moved from 3.1% to 3.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wingstop’s share of searches among fried chicken chains in the United States moved from 15.6% to 16.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 7.5M.
How did search popularity change for United States fried chicken chains in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Wingstop gained share of searches among fried chicken chains in the United States, from 14.5% to 16.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Raising Cane’s’ and Wingstop’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.
Raising Cane’s
2 branded search terms
- raising cane's
- raising canes
Wingstop
1 branded search term
- wingstop
Other head-to-heads among fried chicken chains
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