Brandwave

City Barbeque vs Mission BBQ:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Mission BBQ had more branded searches than City Barbeque among BBQ chains in the United States. Mission BBQ had about 673,000 branded searches, while City Barbeque had 602,000. Mission BBQ made up 36.9% of all BBQ chain searches we track, and City Barbeque accounted for 33%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about BBQ chains, City Barbeque and Mission BBQ each appeared in three of the four answers. Mission BBQ was mentioned before City Barbeque in every answer.

Among BBQ chains in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Mission BBQ, about 12% more searches than City Barbeque

Mission BBQ 673K searchesCity Barbeque 602K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 3 of 4 answers.

City Barbeque in 3 of 4Mission BBQ in 3 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Mission BBQ, named ahead of City Barbeque in every answer

Mission BBQ first in 3City Barbeque never first

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Top BBQ chains in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, City Barbeque and Mission BBQ were each mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Mission BBQ was listed before City Barbeque in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Mission BBQ1st
  2. Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q2nd
  3. City Barbeque3rd
  4. Dickey's Barbecue Pit4th
  5. Famous Dave's5th
  6. Sonny's BBQ6th
  7. Pappas Bar-B-Q7th

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

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 23, 2026.

Is City Barbeque or Mission BBQ more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for City Barbeque and Mission 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.

City Barbeque and Mission BBQ among BBQ chains in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Mission BBQ, City Barbeque. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMission BBQCity BarbequeSonny's BBQDickey's Barbecue PitRudy's Country Store and Bar-B-QPappas Bar-B-QFamous Dave's
Oct 202538.1%27.8%13.9%12.4%4.2%3.4%0.11%
Nov 202538.7%28.3%11.6%12.7%4.3%4.3%0.09%
Dec 202534.3%30.7%15.3%11.2%4.6%3.8%0.1%
Jan 202639.3%28.7%14.3%10.6%3.5%3.5%0.09%
Feb 202639.3%28.7%14.3%10.6%3.5%3.5%0.09%
Mar 202639%28.5%14.2%10.4%4.3%3.5%0.09%
Apr 202635.2%31.5%15.8%9.5%4.7%3.2%0.1%
May 202636.9%33%13.5%8.1%4.9%3.3%0.11%
Jun 202639.3%28.8%14.4%8.6%5.3%3.5%0.09%
Jul 202632.4%35.4%14.5%8.7%5.3%3.6%0.12%
Aug 202635.2%31.5%15.8%9.5%4.7%3.2%0.1%
Sep 202636.9%33%13.5%8.1%5%3.3%0.1%

How has the City Barbeque and Mission BBQ comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: City Barbeque took it in July 2026, Mission BBQ took it in August 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, City Barbeque’s share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States moved from 27.8% to 33%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 492K to 602K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mission BBQ’s share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States moved from 38.1% to 36.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 673K.

How did search popularity change for United States BBQ chains in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Mission BBQ gained share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 35.2% to 36.9%.

  2. In September 2026, City Barbeque gained share of searches among BBQ chains in the United States, from 31.5% to 33%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using City Barbeque’s and Mission 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.

City Barbeque

2 branded search terms

  • city barbeque
  • city bbq

Mission BBQ

1 branded search term

  • mission bbq

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among BBQ chains

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