A popular topic of debate lies to compare Popeye’s Classic Chicken Sandwich to that of Chick Fil-A’s
While both chains have been notoriously known to be jacking their prices, Popeye’s has remained relatively resilient in its Chicken Sandwich pricing.
Does it make up for it in terms of taste? That is subjective, and certainly not a focus of this article, though, we conducted a nutritional comparison at the end of the article.
The distribution of prices across 48 U.S states (plus Puerto Rico) where Popeye’s has active locations is rather interesting. Let’s take a look at the map below:
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A note about Louisiana: While we decided to place a $4.99 tag on Louisiana, bear in mind that the prices for a chicken sandwich can be as high as $5.49 in touristy places like New Orleans.
This goes for a lot of the other states too. The prices can vary by as much as $1.00 above what is listed on the map.
Now, here is the underlying data used in the map for your reference:
| State | Lowest Price for a Classic Chicken Sandwich ($) |
| Alabama | $4.99 |
| Alaska | $9.99 |
| Arizona | $4.99 |
| Arkansas | $4.99 |
| California | $5.99 |
| Colorado | $4.99 |
| Connecticut | $4.99 |
| Delaware | $4.99 |
| District of Columbia | $4.99 |
| Florida | $5.49 |
| Georgia | $4.99 |
| Hawaii | $7.29 |
| Idaho | $5.99 |
| Illinois | $5.99 |
| Indiana | $5.49 |
| Iowa | $4.99 |
| Kansas | $4.99 |
| Kentucky | $4.99 |
| Louisiana | $5.99 |
| Maine | $5.49 |
| Maryland | $5.49 |
| Massachusetts | $5.49 |
| Michigan | $4.99 |
| Minnesota | $4.99 |
| Mississippi | $4.99 |
| Missouri | $4.99 |
| Montana | $5.99 |
| Nebraska | $4.99 |
| Nevada | $5.49 |
| New Hampshire | $5.49 |
| New Jersey | $5.49 |
| New Mexico | $4.99 |
| New York | $5.99 |
| North Carolina | $4.99 |
| North Dakota | $4.99 |
| Ohio | $4.99 |
| Oklahoma | $4.99 |
| Oregon | $5.99 |
| Pennsylvania | $5.49 |
| Rhode Island | $5.49 |
| South Carolina | $4.99 |
| South Dakota | $4.99 |
| Tennessee | $4.99 |
| Texas | $4.99 |
| Utah | $4.99 |
| Vermont | No stores at the time of writing |
| Virginia | $4.99 |
| Washington | $5.99 |
| West Virginia | $4.99 |
| Wisconsin | $4.99 |
| Wyoming | No stores at the time of writing |
| Puerto Rico | $6.99 |
The Methodology
The methodology involved accessing each store’s pricing information through the official store locator, creating a dataset that reflects real-world consumer experiences rather than theoretical pricing models or third party data accessed from platforms like UberEats or DoorDash.
Notably absent from this analysis are Wyoming and Vermont, states where Popeyes has yet to establish a foothold.
Why is Popeye’s so expensive in Alaska?
Alaska’s staggering $9.99 price point—a figure that represents precisely double the national low of $4.99 found in numerous continental states is related to the state’s notoriously high food costs, which stem from what economists call the “last frontier penalty.”
The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates the average annual food cost per person to be $4,120, which means about $343 per month, reflecting the reality that goods tend to carry high prices in Alaska due to shipping expenses from outside locations.
The logistics of delivering a Popeyes chicken sandwich to Anchorage or Fairbanks involve multiple transportation modes, temperature-controlled environments, and extended supply chains that would make a Renaissance spice trader weep with envy.
The vastness of Alaska, coupled with a dispersed population, creates logistical hurdles and higher prices for getting food onto shelves.
Consider that every ingredient—from Louisiana-style seasonings to packaging materials—must traverse thousands of miles through challenging terrain and weather conditions.
Furthermore, transportation costs, limited local production, and a smaller population contribute to higher overall food expenses in the state, with the cost of basic food items in Anchorage, the state’s largest city, typically 20-30% higher than the national average.
States where you can get a Classic Sandwich for $4.99
At the opposite end of the spectrum lies a bunch of states where the Popeyes Classic Chicken Sandwich can be procured for the remarkably consistent price of $4.99.
This coalition includes Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The geographic and demographic diversity of this group defies simple explanation.
Why should a chicken sandwich cost the same in Houston, TX as it does in rural Mississippi? Popeyes’ sophisticated understanding of market psychology and competitive positioning is a key business driver behind the price selection.
The ‘under $5’ item puts Popeye’s sandwich in a competitive position against popular rivals like Chick Fil-A.
Nutritional Considerations
Comparing the Chicken Sandwiches between Chick-fil-A and Popeyes reveals some nutritional contrasts, with Chick-fil-A’s signature chicken sandwich containing 440 calories and 29 grams of protein compared to Popeyes’ Classic Chicken Sandwich’s substantial 699 calories, 42 grams of fat and 50 grams of carbohydrates, though some sources report Popeyes at 700 calories and 690 calories respectively.
This caloric disparity becomes even more pronounced when considering that Popeyes’ sandwich clocks in at 690 calories versus Chick-fil-A’s 440 calories, making Popeyes “the bigger nutrition bomb” according to health analysts.
The sodium content tells an equally dramatic story, with Popeyes delivering 1,260 milligrams of sodium along with 34 grams of protein, while nutritional breakdowns show Chick-fil-A’s sandwich containing 466 calories with a 40% fat, 34% carbohydrate, and 26% protein distribution.
These figures underscore the fundamental philosophical differences between the two chains: Chick-fil-A pursuing a more restrained approach that allows for premium pricing through perceived quality, while Popeyes opts for maximum impact through larger portions and bolder flavors that deliver nearly 60% more calories per serving, creating a clear value proposition debate where consumers must weigh indulgence against moderation in their fast-food chicken sandwich selection.
