Denny's vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 171 items at Denny's vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Denny's averages $6.39 per item across 171 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. Denny's is $1.61 cheaper per item (20% difference). Denny's has lower average calories (544 vs 649 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Denny's | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.39 | $8.00 | Denny's |
| Menu Items | 171 | 40 | Denny's |
| Avg Calories | 544 | 649 | Denny's |
| US Locations | 1,350 | 5,001 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 1 | Popeyes |
Denny's is 20% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($1.61 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Denny's vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Denny's delivers 1.49¢/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
Denny'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: Denny's avg $5.30 vs Popeyes $1.29 — Popeyes is 76% cheaper
- sides: Denny's avg $3.44 vs Popeyes $1.73 — Popeyes is 50% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Denny's fits 1 item (270 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Denny's fits 0 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Denny's fits 3 items (961 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Denny's ranks #168 of 414 on price (cheaper than 60% of tracked chains). Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 (pricier than 56% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Denny's, 56% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Popeyes, 54% are under 500 calories. Denny's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Denny's ($6.39 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: Denny's (171 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)