Applebee's vs KFC (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 78 items at Applebee's vs 46 items at KFC.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Applebee's averages $8.80 per item across 78 menu items, while KFC averages $7.23 across 46 items. KFC is $1.57 cheaper per item (18% difference). KFC has lower average calories (430 vs 682 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Applebee's | KFC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.80 | $7.23 | KFC |
| Menu Items | 78 | 46 | Applebee's |
| Avg Calories | 682 | 430 | KFC |
| US Locations | 1,483 | 4,205 | KFC |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 7 | KFC |
KFC is 18% cheaper on average than Applebee's ($1.57 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Applebee's
Lowest Calorie Options
Applebee's
KFC
Deep Comparison: Applebee's vs KFC
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Applebee's delivers 2.22¢/cal on average, while KFC delivers 1.67¢/cal. KFC gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Applebee's and KFC share 2 menu categories (7% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: chicken, desserts. 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:
- desserts: Applebee's avg $3.69 vs KFC $2.64 — KFC is 29% cheaper
- chicken: Applebee's avg $11.26 vs KFC $8.70 — KFC is 23% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, KFC fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, KFC fits 1 item
- $20 budget: Applebee's fits 3 items (390 cal), KFC fits 1 item (180 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Applebee's ranks #270 of 414 on price (pricier than 65% of tracked chains). KFC ranks #201 of 414 (cheaper than 52% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Applebee's, 37% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At KFC, 56% are under 500 calories. KFC offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: KFC ($7.23 avg vs $8.80)
- More variety: Applebee's (78 items)
- More locations: KFC (4,205 US locations)
- Best calorie value: KFC (1.67¢/cal)