Popeyes vs Wawa (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 40 items at Popeyes vs 59 items at Wawa.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Popeyes averages $8.00 per item across 40 menu items, while Wawa averages $3.62 across 59 items. Wawa is $4.38 cheaper per item (55% difference). Popeyes has lower average calories (649 vs 693 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Popeyes | Wawa | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.00 | $3.62 | Wawa |
| Menu Items | 40 | 59 | Wawa |
| Avg Calories | 649 | 693 | Popeyes |
| US Locations | 5,001 | 1,200 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 0 | Popeyes |
Wawa is 55% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($4.38 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Popeyes vs Wawa
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Popeyes delivers 1.06¢/cal on average, while Wawa delivers 0.86¢/cal. Wawa gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Popeyes and Wawa share 1 menu categories (5% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: 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:
- sides: Popeyes avg $1.73 vs Wawa $4.07 — Popeyes is 58% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Wawa fits 3 items (450 cal)
- $15 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Wawa fits 2 items (530 cal)
- $20 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Wawa fits 3 items (650 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 on price (pricier than 56% of tracked chains). Wawa ranks #29 of 414 (cheaper than 93% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Popeyes, 54% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Wawa, 38% are under 500 calories. Popeyes offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Wawa ($3.62 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: Wawa (59 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Wawa (0.86¢/cal)