to checkIf you’re a fan of those crispy Popeyes chicken sandwiches or spicy tenders, you may have wondered: does Popeyes take Apple Pay? The short answer is yes—Popeyes accepts Apple Pay at most locations across the U.S., including in-store, through the mobile app, and even at the drive-thru.
As someone who researches digital payment adoption across national fast-food chains, I’ll walk you through exactly how Popeyes handles Apple Pay, how it works, what to expect at older franchise locations, and why mobile wallet payments are becoming increasingly common.
Mobile payments have become the modern standard for convenience and security, making Apple Pay a preferred choice for many customers. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly when and how to use it at Popeyes.
Does Popeyes Take Apple Pay? Yes, Here’s Where It Works
Popeyes supports the method in three major settings:
- In-store at the register
- At the drive-thru
- Inside the Popeyes mobile app
In most cases, if a location has a contactless payment terminal, it works seamlessly. However, Popeyes has a mix of corporate-owned and franchised restaurants, and while the vast majority support Apple Pay, a small percentage of older or independently operated locations may not.
Using Apple Pay In-Store
If you’re ordering inside the restaurant, using Apple Pay is easy:
- Order at the counter.
- When prompted for payment, hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the NFC reader.
- Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
- The transaction processes instantly.
This method is faster than inserting a chip card, and you never have to hand your phone to anyone.
Using Apple Pay at the Drive-Thru
Many customers find the method especially useful when ordering from their car.
Here’s how it typically works:
- The employee brings the NFC card terminal to the window.
- You tap your Apple device to complete the payment.
- That’s it—no fishing around for a credit card or cash.
Some newer drive-thru windows even have built-in tap-to-pay sensors mounted directly in the payment area.
Using Apple Pay in the Popeyes App
If you prefer to order ahead, schedule pickup, or use offers, Popeyes allows it directly inside their mobile app. After creating an account:
- Add Apple Pay as a saved payment option.
- Select pickup or delivery (where supported).
- Confirm your order with a one-tap Apple Pay checkout.
This makes ordering faster and lets you skip lines at busy locations.
Why People Prefer Apple Pay at Popeyes
Customers choose this payment method for several reasons:
- It’s fast
- It’s hygienic and contact-free
- It provides privacy and security
- It avoids touching cash or cards
- It prevents exposing your actual card number
Apple Pay uses tokenization technology, meaning your real card number is never shared with Popeyes or stored on their systems.
Payment Methods Accepted at Popeyes: Quick Comparison Table
| Payment Method | Accepted In-Store | Accepted Drive-Thru | Accepted in App | Speed | Security Level |
| Apple Pay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Very fast | Very high |
| Google Pay | Some locations | Some | Yes | Fast | High |
| Samsung Pay | Many locations | Many | Yes | Fast | High |
| Credit/Debit Cards | Yes | Yes | Yes | Medium | Medium |
| Physical Cash | Yes | Yes | No | Medium | Low |
| Popeyes Gift Card | Yes | Yes | Yes | Medium | Medium |
This table is helpful for customers who want to choose the quickest or most secure form of payment.
What If a Location Doesn’t Accept Apple Pay?
Although Apple Pay is widely supported across its locations, there are occasional exceptions. This usually means:
- The location may have an older terminal
- Contactless payment may be temporarily offline
- The restaurant may be franchise-owned and not upgraded
In these scenarios, your best backup plans are:
- Using a physical card
- Using cash
- Using the Popeyes app with Apple Pay
- Ordering online for pickup
Ordering through the app is sometimes the easiest workaround when direct Apple Pay isn’t available at the counter.
Does Popeyes Accept Apple Pay Internationally?
Availability outside the U.S. varies depending on the payment infrastructure in each country. Some international chains support it through local banks and NFC networks, while others still rely primarily on card insert or swipe payments. If travelling overseas, the best method is checking the app or ask the staff before paying.
Which Apple Devices Work at Popeyes?
You can use Apple Pay at Popeyes with:
- iPhone
- Apple Watch
- iPad (for app purchases)
- Mac (for web purchases where available)
All require it to be set up in the Wallet app with a linked credit or debit card.
Is Apple Pay Safe to Use at Popeyes?
Yes. In fact, it’s arguably safer than using a physical card.
It never transmits:
- Your card number
- Your CVV
- Your expiration date
- Your billing data
Instead, it sends a one-time encrypted token to process your payment. Even if a merchant’s system were compromised, your actual card details would remain protected.
How to Check if a Popeyes Accepts Apple Pay
If you want to confirm before ordering:
- Look for the contactless payment logo at the register
- Check within the app
- Ask an employee
- Look for NFC readers with tap symbols
- Use Apple Maps, which sometimes lists “Accepts Apple Pay” under a store’s info
Most upgraded locations clearly display NFC signage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does every Popeyes take Apple Pay?
Most do, but very old or independent franchise restaurants may not.
2. Can I use Apple Pay at the Popeyes drive-thru?
Yes. Most drive-thru windows allow contactless payment with Apple Pay.
3. Can I use Apple Pay in the Popeyes mobile app?
Yes. You can enable Apple Pay as a payment option inside the app.
4. Is it safe to use Apple Pay at Popeyes?
Absolutely. Tokenization and device authentication make it very secure.
5. Does Popeyes take Google Pay or Samsung Pay?
Many locations do, but Apple Pay has the widest device support and highest consistency.
Final Thoughts: Yes, Popeyes Definitely Takes Apple Pay
So, does Popeyes take Apple Pay? In nearly all cases—yes. Whether you’re dining in, rolling through the drive-thru, or ordering in the app, Apple Pay is widely accepted and fully supported. The only exceptions occur at some older franchise locations that haven’t upgraded their terminals, but those are increasingly rare.
This payment method is becoming the standard payment choice due to its unmatched speed and safety, and as digital payments continue to evolve, customers will enjoy even more streamlined ordering experiences. Convenience and modern payment technology go hand in hand—and Popeyes is clearly keeping up.
