Wingstop vs Zaxby's:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Wingstop had more branded searches than Zaxby's among fried chicken chains in the United States. Wingstop had about 7.5 million branded searches, while Zaxby's had 1.2 million. Wingstop made up 16.6% 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, Wingstop and Zaxby's each appeared in two of the three answers. Wingstop and Zaxby's were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Wingstop, about 6 searches for every 1 for Zaxby's
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 2 of 3 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
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Top fried chicken chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, Wingstop and Zaxby's were each mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Wingstop and Zaxby's 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.
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 Wingstop or Zaxby's more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Wingstop 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 Wingstop, 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 Wingstop and Zaxby's comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Wingstop was ahead of Zaxby's in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- 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
In September 2026, Wingstop gained share of searches among fried chicken chains in the United States, from 14.5% to 16.6%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Zaxby's in the United States fell 18.7% over 12 measured months, from 1.5M to 1.2M in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Wingstop’s 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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