Popeyes vs Subway (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 40 items at Popeyes vs 83 items at Subway.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Popeyes averages $8.00 per item across 40 menu items, while Subway averages $5.57 across 83 items. Subway is $2.43 cheaper per item (30% difference). Subway has lower average calories (586 vs 649 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Popeyes | Subway | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.00 | $5.57 | Subway |
| Menu Items | 40 | 83 | Subway |
| Avg Calories | 649 | 586 | Subway |
| US Locations | 5,001 | 16,177 | Subway |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 3 | Subway |
Subway is 30% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($2.43 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Popeyes vs Subway
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Popeyes delivers 1.06¢/cal on average, while Subway delivers 1.46¢/cal. Popeyes gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Popeyes and Subway share 2 menu categories (10% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides, 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:
- sides: Popeyes avg $1.73 vs Subway $1.03 — Subway is 40% cheaper
- drinks: Popeyes avg $2.76 vs Subway $2.06 — Subway is 25% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Subway fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Subway fits 3 items (1380 cal)
- $20 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Subway fits 3 items (1520 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 on price (pricier than 56% of tracked chains). Subway ranks #132 of 414 (cheaper than 68% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Popeyes, 54% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Subway, 50% are under 500 calories. Popeyes offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Subway ($5.57 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: Subway (83 items)
- More locations: Subway (16,177 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)