Buffalo Wild Wings vs Wendy's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 85 items at Buffalo Wild Wings vs 77 items at Wendy's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings averages $4.95 per item across 85 menu items, while Wendy's averages $3.52 across 77 items. Wendy's is $1.43 cheaper per item (29% difference). Wendy's has lower average calories (445 vs 1257 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo Wild Wings | Wendy's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.95 | $3.52 | Wendy's |
| Menu Items | 85 | 77 | Buffalo Wild Wings |
| Avg Calories | 1257 | 445 | Wendy's |
| US Locations | 1,393 | 6,154 | Wendy's |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 2 | Wendy's |
Wendy's is 29% cheaper on average than Buffalo Wild Wings ($1.43 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Buffalo Wild Wings
Wendy's
Lowest Calorie Options
Buffalo Wild Wings
Wendy's
Deep Comparison: Buffalo Wild Wings vs Wendy's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Buffalo Wild Wings delivers 0.67¢/cal on average, while Wendy's delivers 2.09¢/cal. Buffalo Wild Wings gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Buffalo Wild Wings and Wendy's share 2 menu categories (8% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: burgers, drinks. 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 Wendy's $4.51 — Wendy's is 57% cheaper
- drinks: Buffalo Wild Wings avg $2.70 vs Wendy's $1.59 — Wendy's is 41% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Buffalo Wild Wings fits 1 item (980 cal), Wendy's fits 1 item (330 cal)
- $15 budget: Buffalo Wild Wings fits 0 items, Wendy's fits 3 items (2580 cal)
- $20 budget: Buffalo Wild Wings fits 3 items (240 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (690 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Buffalo Wild Wings ranks #92 of 414 on price (cheaper than 78% of tracked chains). Wendy's ranks #27 of 414 (cheaper than 94% 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 Wendy's, 73% are under 500 calories. Wendy's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Wendy's ($3.52 avg vs $4.95)
- More variety: Buffalo Wild Wings (85 items)
- More locations: Wendy's (6,154 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Buffalo Wild Wings (0.67¢/cal)