Zaxbys vs Popeyes comes down to what kind of fried chicken you want. Popeyes is known for Louisiana-style bone-in chicken and Cajun sides, while Zaxbys is built around boneless Fingerz, wings and a long sauce list.
Quick answers
- What’s the main difference?
- Popeyes is known for bone-in fried chicken with mild or spicy seasoning and Cajun sides. Zaxbys centers on boneless Fingerz and wings with many sauces.
- Which is bigger?
- Popeyes has about 3,200 US restaurants (2026) and more than 5,000 worldwide. Zaxbys has 1,000+ restaurants in 24 states.
- Does Popeyes have tenders?
- Yes. Popeyes sells tenders and tender family meals as well as bone-in chicken.
Zaxbys vs Popeyes at a glance
| Feature | Zaxbys | Popeyes |
|---|---|---|
| Started | Statesboro, Georgia, 1990 | Arabi, Louisiana, 1972 |
| Owner | Zaxbys (Zaxby’s Franchising, LLC) | Restaurant Brands International (since 2017) |
| Size | 1,000+ restaurants (Jan 2026), 24 states | About 3,200 US restaurants (2026); 5,400+ worldwide |
| Signature chicken | Chicken Fingerz and wings | Bone-in fried chicken, mild or spicy |
| Sides | Crinkle fries, Texas toast, coleslaw and more | Cajun-style sides such as Cajun fries and Cajun rice |
Bone-in chicken vs Fingerz
Popeyes’ best-known order is bone-in fried chicken, sold by the piece in combos and family meals, in mild or spicy versions. It also sells tenders. Zaxbys doesn’t sell bone-in fried chicken pieces; its chicken comes as hand-breaded Fingerz, boneless wings, traditional bone-in wings and sandwich fillets.
So the choice is simple: if you want a drumstick or thigh, go to Popeyes. If you want fingers you can dip, or wings tossed in sauce, Zaxbys is the better fit. See our Chicken Fingers guide and wings guide for sizes.
The chicken sandwich
Popeyes launched its chicken sandwich nationwide in the US in August 2019, and it remains one of its headline items. Zaxbys has three sandwiches: the Signature Sandwich with Zax Sauce, the spicy Kickin’ Chicken Sandwich with ranch, and a Grilled Chicken Sandwich.
From the official Zaxbys guide, the Signature Sandwich lists 600 calories and the Grilled Chicken Sandwich 620. Popeyes publishes its own nutrition on its website and app; check there for its current numbers, because we couldn’t confirm them from an official Popeyes source for this page. More on Zaxbys in our sandwich guide.
Sides and flavor
Popeyes leans into Louisiana flavor, with Cajun-seasoned fries and Cajun rice among its sides, and seafood such as shrimp on parts of its menu. Zaxbys sides are Southern comfort food: crinkle fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, fried pickles and white cheddar bites. Zaxbys puts most of its flavor into sauces and dry rubs instead; the sauces guide ranks them by heat.
Where you’ll find each chain
Popeyes is much more widespread, with about 3,200 US restaurants in 2026. Zaxbys is concentrated in the Southeast but growing: it passed 1,000 restaurants in January 2026 and reached its 24th state with a New York City opening in July 2026. Use our Zaxbys near me guide to find the closest store.
Which one should you pick?
- Pick Popeyes if you want bone-in fried chicken or Cajun-style sides.
- Pick Zaxbys if you want Fingerz, wings, a big salad or a sauce you can change every visit.
- Allergies? Check each brand’s official allergen guide. For Zaxbys, use our allergen menu.
To order Zaxbys, use the official app or zaxbys.com.
We don’t list prices on comparison pages. Both chains let each restaurant set its own prices, so any number we printed would be wrong for many readers. Check the official app or website of each brand for the store near you.
Trademark note: Zaxbys, Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s and Popeyes are trademarks of their owners. We use the names only to compare menus. ZaxbysMenusPrice is not affiliated with any of these brands.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zaxbys chicken like Popeyes?
Not really. Popeyes is known for Louisiana-style bone-in fried chicken. Zaxbys is known for boneless Chicken Fingerz, wings and sauces.
Does Zaxbys sell bone-in chicken pieces?
Zaxbys sells traditional bone-in wings, but not bone-in fried chicken pieces like drumsticks or thighs.
When did the Popeyes chicken sandwich come out?
Popeyes launched its chicken sandwich nationwide in the US on August 12, 2019.
Which chain has more restaurants?
Popeyes, with about 3,200 US restaurants in 2026. Zaxbys has more than 1,000.
Where can I see calories for both?
Zaxbys publishes its Nutrition & Allergen Guide on zaxbys.com. Popeyes shows nutrition on its official website and app.
Where this information comes from. All nutrition and allergen information on this site is taken from the official Zaxbys Nutrition & Allergen Guide (revised November 2025), published on zaxbys.com. We have not added anything of our own or changed the figures. Recipes, suppliers and menus change, so please verify with Zaxbys or your restaurant before you rely on it, especially if you have a food allergy. Verify before use.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Popeyes (history, owner, menu, sandwich launch, worldwide count)
- Men’s Journal via Yahoo Finance: Popeyes US location count (Mar 2026)
- Popeyes: Classic Signature Chicken combo (menu)
- Popeyes: Tenders family meal (menu)
- Popeyes: Sandwiches (menu)
- Zaxbys Nutrition & Allergen Guide (revised Nov 2025)
- IFA: Zaxbys passes 1,000 locations (Feb 2026)
- Nation’s Restaurant News: Zaxbys expands to New York City (Jul 2026)