Buffalo Wild Wings vs McDonald's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 85 items at Buffalo Wild Wings vs 164 items at McDonald's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings averages $4.95 per item across 85 menu items, while McDonald's averages $6.03 across 164 items. Buffalo Wild Wings is $1.08 cheaper per item (18% difference). McDonald's has lower average calories (413 vs 1257 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo Wild Wings | McDonald's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.95 | $6.03 | Buffalo Wild Wings |
| Menu Items | 85 | 164 | McDonald's |
| Avg Calories | 1257 | 413 | McDonald's |
| US Locations | 1,393 | 13,786 | McDonald's |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 15 | McDonald's |
Buffalo Wild Wings is 18% cheaper on average than McDonald's ($1.08 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Buffalo Wild Wings
McDonald's
Lowest Calorie Options
Buffalo Wild Wings
McDonald's
Deep Comparison: Buffalo Wild Wings vs McDonald's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Buffalo Wild Wings delivers 0.67¢/cal on average, while McDonald's delivers 6.07¢/cal. Buffalo Wild Wings gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Buffalo Wild Wings and McDonald's share 1 menu categories (4% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: burgers. 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:
- burgers: Buffalo Wild Wings avg $10.52 vs McDonald's $6.12 — McDonald's is 42% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Buffalo Wild Wings fits 1 item (980 cal), McDonald's fits 1 item (290 cal)
- $15 budget: Buffalo Wild Wings fits 0 items, McDonald's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Buffalo Wild Wings fits 3 items (240 cal), McDonald's fits 3 items (260 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Buffalo Wild Wings ranks #92 of 414 on price (cheaper than 78% of tracked chains). McDonald's ranks #156 of 414 (cheaper than 63% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Buffalo Wild Wings, 6% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At McDonald's, 70% are under 500 calories. McDonald's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Buffalo Wild Wings ($4.95 avg vs $6.03)
- More variety: McDonald's (164 items)
- More locations: McDonald's (13,786 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Buffalo Wild Wings (0.67¢/cal)