Popeyes vs Taco Bell (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 40 items at Popeyes vs 115 items at Taco Bell.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Popeyes averages $8.00 per item across 40 menu items, while Taco Bell averages $5.72 across 115 items. Taco Bell is $2.28 cheaper per item (29% difference). Taco Bell has lower average calories (405 vs 649 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Popeyes | Taco Bell | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.00 | $5.72 | Taco Bell |
| Menu Items | 40 | 115 | Taco Bell |
| Avg Calories | 649 | 405 | Taco Bell |
| US Locations | 5,001 | 7,589 | Taco Bell |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 14 | Taco Bell |
Taco Bell is 29% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($2.28 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Popeyes
Taco Bell
Deep Comparison: Popeyes vs Taco Bell
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Popeyes delivers 1.06¢/cal on average, while Taco Bell delivers 3.00¢/cal. Popeyes gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Popeyes and Taco Bell share 1 menu categories (4% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: drinks. 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:
- drinks: Popeyes avg $2.76 vs Taco Bell $2.88 — Popeyes is 4% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Taco Bell fits 1 item (1430 cal)
- $15 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Taco Bell fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Taco Bell fits 3 items (1370 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 on price (pricier than 56% of tracked chains). Taco Bell ranks #143 of 414 (cheaper than 66% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Popeyes, 54% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Taco Bell, 64% are under 500 calories. Taco Bell offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Taco Bell ($5.72 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: Taco Bell (115 items)
- More locations: Taco Bell (7,589 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)