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Fast Casual.com reports the 2011 year-end Zeitgeist List of Google on the top food-and-drink-related searches from the billions of queries typed in Google search. Google analyzed these searches using data from multiple resources and formula to come up with its lists.  These were ranked in order of queries with the largest volume on top, except where noted.  The “fastest rising” graphic bases the increase or growth in popularity of these searches compared to 2010. Google’s information graphics can give you information on search volume, volume over a period, and volume by region or country.  Pizza Hut tops the list of the top 10 searches of restaurants in the US while Wendy’s topped the fastest rising list of food and drinks search globally.

The top three pizza chains have had more than just big sales this year. Pizza Hut, Domino’s and Papa John’s were the top three searched restaurants, respectively, on Google in 2011.

Google today released its 11th annual Zeitgeist list, ranking the most popular and the fastest-rising search terms.

As part of the broader lifestyle category, the top 10 restaurants searched in the U.S. this year were:

1. Pizza Hut
2. Domino’s
3. Papa John’s
4. Starbucks
5. McDonald’s
6. Olive Garden
7. Subway
8. Applebee’s
9. Jimmy John’s
10. Buffalo Wild Wings 

Up and comers

Globally, a couple of quick-service and fast casual brands were listed among the fastest-rising food and drink terms searched. Wendy’s topped the list, perhaps piquing curiosity from its recent expansion, remodeling and menu enhancement efforts.

Little Caesars is No. 3, followed by Chick-fil-A. At No. 7 is Jimmy John’s, followed by Buffalo Wild Wings (No. 8 ) and Popeyes’ Louisiana Kitchen (No. 9).

The global search included countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand).

Search results of note

Pizza, in general, was the top searched food and drink item in Singapore, Germany and Mexico. This is likely good news for California Pizza Kitchen and Chuck E. Cheese’s, both of which have expanded their footprints in Mexico in the past few months.

Speaking of, American consumers seem to be craving Mexican food. The cuisine was the No. 7 most searched term on Google Maps, behind IKEA, veterinarians and airports.

The top searched item in the food category in New Zealand was the “Double Down Burger.”

KFC’s Double Down made its debut in New Zealand in May and, according to Google’s search results, its popularity from the U.S. and Canada translated down under. The bun-less burger broke sales records when it rolled out in the U.S. and Canada, and became the most successful sandwich launch in KFC history. More than 10 million Double Downs were sold in the U.S. in the first month alone and it became Canada’s best selling new menu item after 360,000 burgers were sold in the first 10 days.

In a “one of these things is not like the other” finish, the “Happy Meal” was on the top 10 list (No. 9) in France, behind local staples, including the Marmiton Recette and Recette Crepe.

The top general terms include Rebecca Black, Google+, Ryan Dunn, Casey Anthony, Battlefield 3, iPhone 5, Adele, Fukushima Plant, Steve Jobs and the iPad 2.

Photo by RetailByRyan95