McDonald's vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 164 items at McDonald's vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, McDonald's averages $6.03 per item across 164 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. McDonald's is $1.97 cheaper per item (25% difference). McDonald's has lower average calories (413 vs 649 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | McDonald's | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.03 | $8.00 | McDonald's |
| Menu Items | 164 | 40 | McDonald's |
| Avg Calories | 413 | 649 | McDonald's |
| US Locations | 13,786 | 5,001 | McDonald's |
| Secret Menu | 15 | 1 | McDonald's |
McDonald's is 25% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($1.97 less per item).
Cheapest Items
McDonald's
Popeyes
Lowest Calorie Options
McDonald's
Popeyes
Deep Comparison: McDonald's vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
McDonald's delivers 6.07¢/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
McDonald's and Popeyes share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: McDonald's fits 1 item (290 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: McDonald's fits 0 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: McDonald's fits 3 items (260 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
McDonald's ranks #156 of 414 on price (cheaper than 63% of tracked chains). Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 (pricier than 56% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At McDonald's, 70% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Popeyes, 54% are under 500 calories. McDonald's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: McDonald's ($6.03 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: McDonald's (164 items)
- More locations: McDonald's (13,786 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)