Applebee's vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 78 items at Applebee's vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Applebee's averages $8.80 per item across 78 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. Popeyes is $0.80 cheaper per item (9% difference). Popeyes has lower average calories (649 vs 682 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Applebee's | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.80 | $8.00 | Popeyes |
| Menu Items | 78 | 40 | Applebee's |
| Avg Calories | 682 | 649 | Popeyes |
| US Locations | 1,483 | 5,001 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 1 | Popeyes |
Popeyes is 9% cheaper on average than Applebee's ($0.80 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Applebee's
Popeyes
Lowest Calorie Options
Applebee's
Popeyes
Deep Comparison: Applebee's vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Applebee's delivers 2.22¢/cal on average, while Popeyes delivers 1.06¢/cal. Popeyes gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Applebee's and Popeyes share 2 menu categories (8% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: chicken, desserts. Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
Price Differences by Shared Category
Where these chains overlap, here is who undercuts whom on average price:
- desserts: Applebee's avg $3.69 vs Popeyes $1.29 — Popeyes is 65% cheaper
- chicken: Applebee's avg $11.26 vs Popeyes $9.59 — Popeyes is 15% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Applebee's fits 3 items (390 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Applebee's ranks #270 of 414 on price (pricier than 65% of tracked chains). Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 (pricier than 56% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Applebee's, 37% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Popeyes, 54% are under 500 calories. Popeyes offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Popeyes ($8.00 avg vs $8.80)
- More variety: Applebee's (78 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)