Chipotle vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 72 items at Chipotle vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chipotle averages $6.54 per item across 72 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. Chipotle is $1.46 cheaper per item (18% difference). Chipotle has lower average calories (449 vs 649 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chipotle | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.54 | $8.00 | Chipotle |
| Menu Items | 72 | 40 | Chipotle |
| Avg Calories | 449 | 649 | Chipotle |
| US Locations | 3,727 | 5,001 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 1 | Chipotle |
Chipotle is 18% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($1.46 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Chipotle
Popeyes
Deep Comparison: Chipotle vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chipotle delivers 3.14¢/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
Chipotle and Popeyes 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: Chipotle avg $3.33 vs Popeyes $2.76 — Popeyes is 17% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chipotle fits 0 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Chipotle fits 0 items, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Chipotle fits 3 items (20 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chipotle ranks #173 of 414 on price (cheaper than 58% of tracked chains). Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 (pricier than 56% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Chipotle, 53% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Popeyes, 54% are under 500 calories. Popeyes offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Chipotle ($6.54 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: Chipotle (72 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)