Hardee's / Carl's Jr. vs Popeyes (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 120 items at Hardee's / Carl's Jr. vs 40 items at Popeyes.
Quick answer: As of May 2026, Hardee's / Carl's Jr. averages $4.48 per item across 120 menu items, while Popeyes averages $8.00 across 40 items. Hardee's / Carl's Jr. is $3.52 cheaper per item (44% difference). Popeyes has lower average calories (649 vs 670 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Hardee's / Carl's Jr. | Popeyes | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.48 | $8.00 | Hardee's / Carl's Jr. |
| Menu Items | 120 | 40 | Hardee's / Carl's Jr. |
| Avg Calories | 670 | 649 | Popeyes |
| US Locations | 3,800 | 5,001 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 1 | Popeyes |
Hardee's / Carl's Jr. is 44% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($3.52 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Hardee's / Carl's Jr.
Popeyes
Lowest Calorie Options
Hardee's / Carl's Jr.
Popeyes
Deep Comparison: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. vs Popeyes
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Hardee's / Carl's Jr. delivers 0.77¢/cal on average, while Popeyes delivers 1.06¢/cal. Hardee's / Carl's Jr. gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Hardee's / Carl's Jr. and Popeyes share 3 menu categories (16% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides, desserts, 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:
- desserts: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. avg $0.89 vs Popeyes $1.29 — Hardee's / Carl's Jr. is 31% cheaper
- drinks: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. avg $1.91 vs Popeyes $2.76 — Hardee's / Carl's Jr. is 31% cheaper
- sides: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. avg $2.21 vs Popeyes $1.73 — Popeyes is 22% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. fits 1 item, Popeyes fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. fits 3 items (1180 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. fits 3 items (2400 cal), Popeyes fits 0 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Hardee's / Carl's Jr. ranks #65 of 338 on price (cheaper than 81% of tracked chains). Popeyes ranks #198 of 338 (pricier than 58% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Hardee's / Carl's Jr., 24% 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: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. ($4.48 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. (120 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. (0.77¢/cal)