Chick-fil-A vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 102 items at Chick-fil-A vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chick-fil-A averages $5.32 per item across 102 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. Chick-fil-A is $2.68 cheaper per item (33% difference). Chick-fil-A has lower average calories (381 vs 649 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $5.32 | $8.00 | Chick-fil-A |
| Menu Items | 102 | 40 | Chick-fil-A |
| Avg Calories | 381 | 649 | Chick-fil-A |
| US Locations | 3,140 | 5,001 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 1 | Chick-fil-A |
Chick-fil-A is 33% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($2.68 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Chick-fil-A
Popeyes
Lowest Calorie Options
Chick-fil-A
Popeyes
Deep Comparison: Chick-fil-A vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chick-fil-A delivers 1.91¢/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
Chick-fil-A and Popeyes share 2 menu categories (8% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides, 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:
- sides: Chick-fil-A avg $2.77 vs Popeyes $1.73 — Popeyes is 38% cheaper
- desserts: Chick-fil-A avg $1.75 vs Popeyes $1.29 — Popeyes is 26% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 0 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (650 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (600 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chick-fil-A ranks #115 of 414 on price (cheaper than 72% of tracked chains). Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 (pricier than 56% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Chick-fil-A, 79% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Popeyes, 54% are under 500 calories. Chick-fil-A offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Chick-fil-A ($5.32 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: Chick-fil-A (102 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)