Popeyes vs Whataburger (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 40 items at Popeyes vs 85 items at Whataburger.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Popeyes averages $8.00 per item across 40 menu items, while Whataburger averages $3.88 across 85 items. Whataburger is $4.12 cheaper per item (51% difference). Whataburger has lower average calories (560 vs 649 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Popeyes | Whataburger | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.00 | $3.88 | Whataburger |
| Menu Items | 40 | 85 | Whataburger |
| Avg Calories | 649 | 560 | Whataburger |
| US Locations | 5,001 | 1,030 | Popeyes |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 7 | Whataburger |
Whataburger is 51% cheaper on average than Popeyes ($4.12 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Popeyes
Whataburger
Lowest Calorie Options
Popeyes
Whataburger
Deep Comparison: Popeyes vs Whataburger
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Popeyes delivers 1.06¢/cal on average, while Whataburger delivers 1.14¢/cal. Popeyes gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Popeyes and Whataburger share 1 menu categories (4% 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 Whataburger $1.81 — Popeyes is 4% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Whataburger fits 3 items (35 cal)
- $15 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Whataburger fits 3 items (1395 cal)
- $20 budget: Popeyes fits 0 items, Whataburger fits 3 items (2495 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Popeyes ranks #233 of 414 on price (pricier than 56% of tracked chains). Whataburger ranks #36 of 414 (cheaper than 92% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Popeyes, 54% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Whataburger, 49% are under 500 calories. Popeyes offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Whataburger ($3.88 avg vs $8.00)
- More variety: Whataburger (85 items)
- More locations: Popeyes (5,001 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Popeyes (1.06¢/cal)