Arby's vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 86 items at Arby's vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Arby's averages $6.03 per item across 86 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. Arby's is $1.98 cheaper per item (25% difference). Arby's has lower average calories (474 vs 649 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Arby's | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.03 | $8.00 | Arby's |
| Menu Items | 86 | 40 | Arby's |
| Avg Calories | 474 | 649 | Arby's |
| US Locations | 2,163 | 5,001 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 14 | 1 | Arby's |
Arby's is 25% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($1.98 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Arby's vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Arby's delivers 1.08¢/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
Arby's and Popeyes share 2 menu categories (9% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides, 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: Arby's avg $2.72 vs Popeyes $1.29 — Popeyes is 53% cheaper
- sides: Arby's avg $3.46 vs Popeyes $1.73 — Popeyes is 50% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Arby's fits 0 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Arby's ranks #154 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 Arby's, 57% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Popeyes, 54% are under 500 calories. Arby's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Arby's ($6.03 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: Arby's (86 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)