Does Popeyes take EBT? Here’s What You Need to Know in 2025

These days, people depend mainly on restaurants that offer quick food service. Meanwhile, many Americans rely on government assistance via initiatives like EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) to afford the necessities of life. If you are one of the beneficiaries of EBT and crave the spicy, crispy, and saucy flavor of Popeyes chicken, you might be wondering: Does Popeyes take EBT? 

The answer is not always, but only in specific situations. Let us find out when, where, and how you can use the EBT card at Popeyes. 

Before diving deep into the details regarding Popeyes, it is better to know something about EBT. It stands for Electronic Benefit Transfer, as described above. It is a program used to provide funds to the masses from federal assistance programs like SNAP, i.e., Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – famous as food stamps, and TANF, i.e., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – used to provide cash assistance.

An EBT card works like a debit card and is loaded with these funds. The only difference is that with an EBT card, there are specific rules regarding purchases, especially those made with SNAP benefits. Generally, it is used to purchase food items you prepare at home, which means that with some exceptions, it is now allowed to order readymade and hot meals from restaurants. 

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The interesting part starts here. Some states participate in the RMP, which stands for Restaurant Meals Program. The purpose of the RMP is to feed disabled, homeless, or elderly people who lack the means to cook for themselves. In an RMP-sponsored state, EBT can purchase prepared meals from the participating restaurants of the RMP program. 

The challenge here is that few states offer RMP. Similarly, Popeyes also participates in a few locations. Thus, the answer to this question, “Does Popeyes take EBT?” depends on whether your and Popeyes locations match and whether you have enrolled in this specific program. 

If we follow the above-mentioned SNAP rules, it is evident that Popeyes cannot accept EBT because they sell already prepared food, which does not come under standard guidelines. However, some of Popeyes locations also accept EBT in specific counties and states where RMP is available. 

Which States Participate in the Restaurant Meals Program?

To date, the following few states are known as participants of RMP: 

1. Maryland 
2. Arizona
3. Illinois
4. Michigan
5. California
6. Virginia
7. Rhode Island

All these states, with particular locations, have their own approved restaurants. If we take California as an example, some Popeyes locations are known as authorized vendors of RMPs. Each participating state has different locations. 

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To check whether the Popeyes near you takes EBT or not, you can use any of the following options:

• Go to your state’s SNAP or EBT website.
• Check with your local Dept of Social Services.
• Search for any sign or symbol displayed at the restaurant that shows the EBT option as payment. 

Finding a relevant restaurant is not enough, and you have an EBT card; it does not enable you to use it there. Only these people can use the card:

• Disabled
• Elderly, mostly 60+
• Homeless individuals

Suppose you fall into any of the three categories. In that case, the next step is to ensure that your local agency has approved and enrolled you in the Restaurant Meals Program. Thus, if you are in an enrolled state and have a Popeyes restaurant nearby that takes EBT, you also need an EBT account there that enables your access to RMP. Too many ifs, right? Anything for Popeyes, though 😉

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If you are the lucky one and have passed all the above-mentioned Ifs, you can enjoy the following prepared meals at Popeyes: 

• Sandwiches
• Chicken combos
• Beverages
• Sides like mashed potatoes, red beans and rice, biscuits

Meanwhile, please take notes: the following options are out of your access while using the SNAP or EBT cash:

• Delivery app orders (like DoorDash or UberEats)
• Gift cards
• Orders from non-participating locations
• Non-food items (merchandise, etc.)

TANF also provides cash assistance to some people on their EBT cards. EBT cash is different from the card, as you can withdraw the amount using an ATM. Getting cash from some restaurants is also possible, even if they do not take EBT cards. 

However, Popeyes and many other restaurants do not take EBT cash directly because their systems are usually not set up. Thus, it is best practice to ask the Popeyes staff beforehand to avoid problems. 

The reason is the rules and regulations of the federal SNAP, as discussed above. The USDA does not allow the use of the EBT card for the following:

• Restaurant meals
• Prepared or Hot foods
• Non-essential items

State-approved programs like RMP can enable some restaurants to use the EBT card. Thus, the restaurant owners decide to apply for and manage the RMP participation. That is why not all Popeyes take EBT, even if they are within RMP-approved state; a matter of both policy and business choice. 

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If we summarize the answer to this question, ‘Does Popeyes take EBT?’, it will be as follows:

• EBT Card without RMP → Ineligible to be used at Popeyes.
• EBT Card with RMP Participation → Eligible to be used at only specific Popeyes locations in participating states.
• EBT Cash → Depends on payment setup and location of the restaurant.

If you are eligible to register for a Restaurant Meals Program, visit your local SNAP office for details about how to apply. Once you get approval, search for Popeyes locations authorized to take EBT cards via RMP.