KFC vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 46 items at KFC vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, KFC averages $7.23 per item across 46 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. KFC is $0.77 cheaper per item (10% difference). KFC has lower average calories (430 vs 649 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | KFC | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $7.23 | $8.00 | KFC |
| Menu Items | 46 | 40 | KFC |
| Avg Calories | 430 | 649 | KFC |
| US Locations | 4,205 | 5,001 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 1 | KFC |
KFC is 10% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($0.77 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: KFC vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
KFC delivers 1.67¢/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
KFC and Popeyes share 4 menu categories (15% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: chicken, sides, drinks, 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: KFC avg $2.64 vs Popeyes $1.29 — Popeyes is 51% cheaper
- drinks: KFC avg $2.03 vs Popeyes $2.76 — KFC is 26% cheaper
- sides: KFC avg $2.09 vs Popeyes $1.73 — Popeyes is 17% cheaper
- chicken: KFC avg $8.70 vs Popeyes $9.59 — KFC is 9% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: KFC fits 0 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: KFC fits 1 item, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: KFC fits 1 item (180 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
KFC ranks #201 of 414 on price (cheaper than 52% of tracked chains). Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 (pricier than 56% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At KFC, 56% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Popeyes, 54% are under 500 calories. KFC offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: KFC ($7.23 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: KFC (46 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)