Applebee's vs Dunkin' (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 78 items at Applebee's vs 79 items at Dunkin'.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Applebee's averages $8.80 per item across 78 menu items, while Dunkin' averages $3.96 across 79 items. Dunkin' is $4.84 cheaper per item (55% difference). Dunkin' has lower average calories (292 vs 682 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Applebee's | Dunkin' | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.80 | $3.96 | Dunkin' |
| Menu Items | 78 | 79 | Dunkin' |
| Avg Calories | 682 | 292 | Dunkin' |
| US Locations | 1,483 | 9,686 | Dunkin' |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 1 | Dunkin' |
Dunkin' is 55% cheaper on average than Applebee's ($4.84 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Applebee's
Dunkin'
Lowest Calorie Options
Applebee's
Dunkin'
Deep Comparison: Applebee's vs Dunkin'
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Applebee's delivers 2.22¢/cal on average, while Dunkin' delivers 11.80¢/cal. Applebee's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Applebee's and Dunkin' share 1 menu categories (4% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: beverages. Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
Price Differences by Shared Category
Where these chains overlap, here is who undercuts whom on average price:
- beverages: Applebee's avg $2.75 vs Dunkin' $4.91 — Applebee's is 44% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Dunkin' fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Dunkin' fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Applebee's fits 3 items (390 cal), Dunkin' fits 3 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Applebee's ranks #270 of 414 on price (pricier than 65% of tracked chains). Dunkin' ranks #39 of 414 (cheaper than 91% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Applebee's, 37% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Dunkin', 88% are under 500 calories. Dunkin' offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Dunkin' ($3.96 avg vs $8.80)
- More variety: Dunkin' (79 items)
- More locations: Dunkin' (9,686 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Applebee's (2.22¢/cal)