Chili's vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 77 items at Chili's vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chili's averages $12.93 per item across 77 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. Popeyes is $4.93 cheaper per item (38% difference). Popeyes has lower average calories (649 vs 800 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chili's | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $12.93 | $8.00 | Popeyes |
| Menu Items | 77 | 40 | Chili's |
| Avg Calories | 800 | 649 | Popeyes |
| US Locations | 1,235 | 5,001 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 1 | Popeyes |
Popeyes is 38% cheaper on average than Chili's ($4.93 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Chili's vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chili's delivers 2.25¢/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
Chili's and Popeyes share 2 menu categories (7% 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:
- desserts: Chili's avg $7.29 vs Popeyes $1.29 — Popeyes is 82% cheaper
- sides: Chili's avg $0.79 vs Popeyes $1.73 — Chili's is 54% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chili's fits 1 item (1582 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Chili's fits 1 item (631 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Chili's fits 3 items (300 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chili's ranks #361 of 414 on price (pricier than 87% of tracked chains). Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 (pricier than 56% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Chili's, 31% 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 $12.93)
- More variety: Chili's (77 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)