Fast-food joints generate billions of dollars a year, and Popeyes is one of RBI’s four power brands, achieving approximately $44 million in system-wide sales in 2024 and total revenues of $8,406. The Louisiana-flavored chicken served at this place has society addicted to our culture and good taste, with over 3,500 locations found throughout the country.
However, savvy diners know that not everything on the menu packs the same punch. Chains take great pains to engineer menus that drive the highest profits, which often means drawing your attention to whatever comes with the highest margin rather than what’s best for your nourishment or cravings.
Here are 10 items that don’t make the cut when ordering from Popeyes.
The Butterfly Shrimp Tackle Box
Popeyes is charging premium prices for its butterfly shrimp. The tackle box runs upwards of $6.99 for a paltry portion. Shrimp menu items typically translate to gross margins of 85% at fast-food restaurants, according to food industry analysts.
The bread-to-shrimp ratio is off, and customers are paying for seafood when most of the portion consists of fried bread. Profit reports for restaurants indicate that items made with shrimp are the highest in markup of all the protein options at Popeyes.
Red Beans and Rice
This side dish contains 740 mg of sodium per serving, which is just shy of half a day’s worth of sodium. Nutritionists also note that restaurant-prepared beans often contain an excessive amount of preservatives and flavor enhancers that are unnecessary in a simple, home-cooked dish.
The American Heart Association recommends reducing your sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day; therefore, one serving of this side dish could significantly increase your risk of high blood pressure. Most fast-food restaurants increase sodium levels to mask the flavor of lower-quality food and extend their shelf life.
Large French Fries
A large serving of Popeyes fries has 770 calories and 40 grams of fat, but that’s not the case with their competing chicken sandwiches. The food service industry views potato products as some of the best profit makers in quick-service restaurants, with margins exceeding 400 percent.
The giant portions make it easier to overeat, also a contributing factor to Americans’ obesity epidemic, with 40.3% of adults categorized as obese.
Apple Pie
The apple pie dessert from Popeyes contains 6 g of fat per serving, which exceeds the daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association for women. The dessert is 350 calories – the equivalent of 35 minutes of running for the average person. Food scientists explain that fast-food desserts are often laced with high-fructose corn syrup and artificial preservatives, which are not typically found in homemade varieties.
When consumed in excess, this supplement can lead to long-term health consequences like obesity and heart disease. Opting for homemade options can be a healthier choice, as most are made with natural ingredients and contain less added sugar.
Loaded Chicken Wrap
It’s all high in sodium and fat, earning the dish the title of the most unhealthy option on the whole menu. The tortilla by itself doesn’t offer a lot of nutrition, but it’s essentially empty, consisting of refined carbs and calories.
According to a consumer spending analysis, the average consumer rates their current financial status as being at the midpoint between “poor” and “excellent,” and 87% are now purchasing more fresh chicken compared to six months prior, research shared at the 2022 Chicken Marketing Summit showed.
Strawberry Biscuit
Sweet breakfast items offered at fast-food chains tend to be sweeter than candy bars, and Popeyes’ strawberry biscuit is no different, with 14 grams of sugar. The strawberry goop offers no real health benefits from actual fruit and contains unnecessary artificial ingredients and preservatives.
Nutritionists have long advised against consuming sugar-loaded breakfast items that can cause blood sugar spikes and energy crashes.
Family Feast for Small Groups
Popeyes has aggressively marketed its family feast, but the math doesn’t work for smaller groups of five people or fewer. The feast costs more per piece of chicken compared to ordering individual items.
The families’ feast waste numbers are one of the reasons the United States has around $1,500 in food waste per household every year.
Savvy customers can save money by purchasing à la carte dishes and personalizing their orders to suit their tastes and appetites.
Ghost Pepper Wings
They are a premium-priced, novelty wing with very little real ghost pepper. Spicy food options have been credited with driving sales growth. According to a Technomic report, limited-time offers are growing more rapidly than core menus, suggesting that some of the newest items can attract customers and generate revenue.
The temperature is also extremely high, which burns the flavour right out of the chicken, and that could do a number on some folks’ tummies.
Large Sweet Tea
An extra-large sweet tea contains 160 calories and 38 grams of sugar, equivalent to 9.5 teaspoons of straight sugar. ROI Beverage industry research indicates that fountain drinks have profit margins of upwards of 1,125%, making them among the most overpriced food items available at a restaurant.
That caffeine and sugar hit can leave you crashing later that day, and set off cravings. Health experts advise reducing added sugar intake, especially from drinks that offer no nutritional value.
Surf and Turf Combo
The top-priced item on Popeyes’ menu is this valueless premium combo platter. Portion sizes for both chicken and shrimp are also smaller than if the items were ordered separately; essentially, customers are paying more money for less food.
According to industry figures and up-selling opportunities, it is estimated that high-margin foods yield profits. Depending on the offer, 60% to 75% profit margins, up-selling like that can make a significant difference in the bottom line for restaurants. The mixed protein method tends to be inconsistent in terms of temperature and cooking quality.
Key Takeaways
Smart Menu Decking is a menu strategy that can save you hundreds of dollars a year and increase your nutritional intake just by making better choices on the Popeyes menu. These ten are, in our estimation, subpar value propositions that prioritize the restaurant’s bottom line over customer satisfaction.
Savvy customers would zero in on classic menu items, such as the original chicken sandwich, regular sides, and single pieces, which enable improved portion-size management and value. By avoiding the pitfalls of overpriced specialty products and super-sized portions, it’s good for both your wallet and waistline. It’s essential to remember that fast-food chains design their menus to generate revenue, not to provide the best value to customers, so it’s crucial to know what you’d like to eat.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the exact same things I always do, but my bill just keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hot dogs of indeterminate age and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a regular routine or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need.
Let’s look at 6 gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat.
