Popeyes vs Zaxby's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 40 items at Popeyes vs 101 items at Zaxby's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Popeyes averages $8.00 per item across 40 menu items, while Zaxby's averages $14.83 across 101 items. Popeyes is $6.83 cheaper per item (46% difference). Popeyes has lower average calories (649 vs 877 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Popeyes | Zaxby's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.00 | $14.83 | Popeyes |
| Menu Items | 40 | 101 | Zaxby's |
| Avg Calories | 649 | 877 | Popeyes |
| US Locations | 5,001 | 900 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Popeyes is 46% cheaper on average than Zaxby's ($6.83 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Popeyes vs Zaxby's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Popeyes delivers 1.06¢/cal on average, while Zaxby's delivers 1.46¢/cal. Popeyes gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Popeyes and Zaxby's share 2 menu categories (8% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: chicken, 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:
- chicken: Popeyes avg $9.59 vs Zaxby's $22.49 — Popeyes is 57% cheaper
- sides: Popeyes avg $1.73 vs Zaxby's $3.59 — Popeyes is 52% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Zaxby's fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Zaxby's fits 1 item
- $20 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Zaxby's fits 3 items (1020 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 on price (pricier than 56% of tracked chains). Zaxby's ranks #382 of 414 (pricier than 92% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Popeyes, 54% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Zaxby's, 37% are under 500 calories. Popeyes offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Popeyes ($8.00 avg vs $14.83)
- More variety: Zaxby's (101 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)