Applebee's vs Pizza Hut (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 78 items at Applebee's vs 104 items at Pizza Hut.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Applebee's averages $8.80 per item across 78 menu items, while Pizza Hut averages $11.05 across 104 items. Applebee's is $2.24 cheaper per item (20% difference). Pizza Hut has lower average calories (526 vs 682 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Applebee's | Pizza Hut | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.80 | $11.05 | Applebee's |
| Menu Items | 78 | 104 | Pizza Hut |
| Avg Calories | 682 | 526 | Pizza Hut |
| US Locations | 1,483 | 6,326 | Pizza Hut |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 1 | Pizza Hut |
Applebee's is 20% cheaper on average than Pizza Hut ($2.24 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Applebee's
Lowest Calorie Options
Applebee's
Pizza Hut
Deep Comparison: Applebee's vs Pizza Hut
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Applebee's delivers 2.22¢/cal on average, while Pizza Hut delivers 2.34¢/cal. Applebee's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Applebee's and Pizza Hut share 2 menu categories (8% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: desserts, extras. 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:
- extras: Applebee's avg $3.22 vs Pizza Hut $1.00 — Pizza Hut is 69% cheaper
- desserts: Applebee's avg $3.69 vs Pizza Hut $5.92 — Applebee's is 38% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Pizza Hut fits 1 item
- $15 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Pizza Hut fits 1 item (310 cal)
- $20 budget: Applebee's fits 3 items (390 cal), Pizza Hut fits 3 items (200 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Applebee's ranks #270 of 414 on price (pricier than 65% of tracked chains). Pizza Hut ranks #331 of 414 (pricier than 80% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Applebee's, 37% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Pizza Hut, 39% are under 500 calories. Pizza Hut offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Applebee's ($8.80 avg vs $11.05)
- More variety: Pizza Hut (104 items)
- More locations: Pizza Hut (6,326 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Applebee's (2.22¢/cal)