Jimmy John's vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 42 items at Jimmy John's vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Jimmy John's averages $8.55 per item across 42 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. Popeyes is $0.55 cheaper per item (6% difference). Popeyes has lower average calories (649 vs 996 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Jimmy John's | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.55 | $8.00 | Popeyes |
| Menu Items | 42 | 40 | Jimmy John's |
| Avg Calories | 996 | 649 | Popeyes |
| US Locations | 2,550 | 5,001 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Popeyes is 6% cheaper on average than Jimmy John's ($0.55 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Jimmy John's
Popeyes
Lowest Calorie Options
Jimmy John's
Popeyes
Deep Comparison: Jimmy John's vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Jimmy John's delivers 1.52¢/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
Jimmy John's and Popeyes share 1 menu categories (5% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides. 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: Jimmy John's avg $1.56 vs Popeyes $1.73 — Jimmy John's is 10% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Jimmy John's fits 0 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Jimmy John's fits 0 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Jimmy John's fits 3 items (820 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Jimmy John's ranks #253 of 414 on price (pricier than 61% of tracked chains). Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 (pricier than 56% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Jimmy John's, 20% 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 $8.55)
- More variety: Jimmy John's (42 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)