Chicken Salad Chick Leads Emerging Dining Brands
Chicken Salad Chick tops the list of emerging dining brands in a new study by YouGov, outperforming other chains in key metrics
The fast-casual chain Chicken Salad Chick has taken the top spot in a new study of emerging dining brands in the US. According to a report by data firm YouGov, Chicken Salad Chick ranked number one in the 2026 US emerging dining brands study, which evaluated chains across five key metrics.
Study Methodology
The study began with a screen of 70 emerging brands to determine 34 chains that at least 10% of Americans had heard about. YouGov then evaluated these chains across metrics such as net buzz, consideration among aware consumers, net recommendation among former and current customers, what brands were on the rise among aware consumers, and innovation among aware consumers.
The results of the study show that Chicken Salad Chick outperformed other top brands, including Cook Out, Just Salad, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot. The chain's Emerging Momentum score of 83.2 gave it a healthy lead over the number two brand, Cook Out, which scored 75.3.
Top Emerging Brands
The top emerging brands in the study can be seen in the following table:
| Brand | Emerging Momentum Score |
|---|---|
| Chicken Salad Chick | 83.2 |
| Cook Out | 75.3 |
| Just Salad | 72.9 |
| Nothing Bundt Cakes | 67.9 |
| KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot | 64.8 |
Other brands in the top 10 included Golden Chick, Jet's Pizza, Bb.q Chicken, American Deli, and Mission BBQ. Chicken Salad Chick was particularly strong in the metrics of innovation and being perceived as on the rise, with 54% of consumers who were aware of the brand saying it was bringing new ideas to the foodservice market.
Key Metrics
While Chicken Salad Chick topped the overall list, other brands performed well in specific metrics. For example, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Jet's Pizza had the highest net buzz scores, which evaluate positive buzz minus negative buzz. Cook Out, Golden Chick, and Taco Casa were top scorers in consideration, which looks at whether consumers would purchase from the brands if they were in their market.
Overall, the study provides insight into the emerging dining brands that are gaining traction with consumers. Chicken Salad Chick's strong performance across key metrics suggests that the chain is well-positioned for continued growth and success.
