Auntie Anne's vs McDonald's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 33 items at Auntie Anne's vs 164 items at McDonald's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Auntie Anne's averages $3.14 per item across 33 menu items, while McDonald's averages $6.03 across 164 items. Auntie Anne's is $2.89 cheaper per item (48% difference). Auntie Anne's has lower average calories (322 vs 413 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Auntie Anne's | McDonald's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.14 | $6.03 | Auntie Anne's |
| Menu Items | 33 | 164 | McDonald's |
| Avg Calories | 322 | 413 | Auntie Anne's |
| US Locations | 1,380 | 13,786 | McDonald's |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 15 | McDonald's |
Auntie Anne's is 48% cheaper on average than McDonald's ($2.89 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Auntie Anne's
McDonald's
Lowest Calorie Options
Auntie Anne's
McDonald's
Deep Comparison: Auntie Anne's vs McDonald's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Auntie Anne's delivers 1.72¢/cal on average, while McDonald's delivers 6.07¢/cal. Auntie Anne's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Auntie Anne's and McDonald's share 1 menu categories (5% 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: Auntie Anne's avg $2.13 vs McDonald's $3.17 — Auntie Anne's is 33% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Auntie Anne's fits 3 items (275 cal), McDonald's fits 1 item (290 cal)
- $15 budget: Auntie Anne's fits 3 items, McDonald's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Auntie Anne's fits 3 items (1650 cal), McDonald's fits 3 items (260 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Auntie Anne's ranks #16 of 414 on price (cheaper than 96% of tracked chains). McDonald's ranks #156 of 414 (cheaper than 63% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Auntie Anne's, 89% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At McDonald's, 70% are under 500 calories. Auntie Anne's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Auntie Anne's ($3.14 avg vs $6.03)
- More variety: McDonald's (164 items)
- More locations: McDonald's (13,786 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Auntie Anne's (1.72¢/cal)