IHOP vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 139 items at IHOP vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, IHOP averages $6.36 per item across 139 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. IHOP is $1.65 cheaper per item (21% difference). IHOP has lower average calories (584 vs 649 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | IHOP | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.36 | $8.00 | IHOP |
| Menu Items | 139 | 40 | IHOP |
| Avg Calories | 584 | 649 | IHOP |
| US Locations | 1,750 | 5,001 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 1 | Popeyes |
IHOP is 21% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($1.65 less per item).
Cheapest Items
IHOP
Popeyes
Lowest Calorie Options
IHOP
Popeyes
Deep Comparison: IHOP vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
IHOP delivers 1.86¢/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
IHOP and Popeyes share 1 menu categories (3% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: 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: IHOP avg $3.11 vs Popeyes $1.29 — Popeyes is 58% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: IHOP fits 1 item (971 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: IHOP fits 3 items (150 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: IHOP fits 3 items (1021 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
IHOP ranks #166 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 IHOP, 45% 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: IHOP ($6.36 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: IHOP (139 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)