Applebee's vs Chipotle (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 78 items at Applebee's vs 72 items at Chipotle.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Applebee's averages $8.80 per item across 78 menu items, while Chipotle averages $6.54 across 72 items. Chipotle is $2.26 cheaper per item (26% difference). Chipotle has lower average calories (449 vs 682 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Applebee's | Chipotle | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.80 | $6.54 | Chipotle |
| Menu Items | 78 | 72 | Applebee's |
| Avg Calories | 682 | 449 | Chipotle |
| US Locations | 1,483 | 3,727 | Chipotle |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 10 | Chipotle |
Chipotle is 26% cheaper on average than Applebee's ($2.26 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Applebee's
Chipotle
Lowest Calorie Options
Applebee's
Chipotle
Deep Comparison: Applebee's vs Chipotle
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Applebee's delivers 2.22¢/cal on average, while Chipotle delivers 3.14¢/cal. Applebee's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Applebee's and Chipotle share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Chipotle fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Chipotle fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Applebee's fits 3 items (390 cal), Chipotle fits 3 items (20 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Applebee's ranks #270 of 414 on price (pricier than 65% of tracked chains). Chipotle ranks #173 of 414 (cheaper than 58% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Applebee's, 37% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Chipotle, 53% are under 500 calories. Chipotle offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Chipotle ($6.54 avg vs $8.80)
- More variety: Applebee's (78 items)
- More locations: Chipotle (3,727 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Applebee's (2.22¢/cal)