Burger King vs Sonic Drive-In (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 65 items at Burger King vs 92 items at Sonic Drive-In.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Burger King averages $3.33 per item across 65 menu items, while Sonic Drive-In averages $3.28 across 92 items. Prices are within 2% — neither chain is meaningfully cheaper. Burger King has lower average calories (491 vs 578 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Burger King | Sonic Drive-In | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.33 | $3.28 | Tie |
| Menu Items | 65 | 92 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Avg Calories | 491 | 578 | Burger King |
| US Locations | 6,809 | 3,519 | Burger King |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 7 | Burger King |
Burger King and Sonic Drive-In have similar average prices.
Cheapest Items
Burger King
Sonic Drive-In
Lowest Calorie Options
Burger King
Sonic Drive-In
Deep Comparison: Burger King vs Sonic Drive-In
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Burger King delivers 0.72¢/cal on average, while Sonic Drive-In delivers 0.86¢/cal. Burger King gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Burger King and Sonic Drive-In share 2 menu categories (9% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides, 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:
- drinks: Burger King avg $1.36 vs Sonic Drive-In $2.22 — Burger King is 39% cheaper
- sides: Burger King avg $1.83 vs Sonic Drive-In $1.73 — Sonic Drive-In is 6% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Burger King fits 0 items, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (320 cal)
- $15 budget: Burger King fits 3 items (1228 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (1790 cal)
- $20 budget: Burger King fits 3 items (2850 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (2090 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Burger King ranks #20 of 414 on price (cheaper than 95% of tracked chains). Sonic Drive-In ranks #18 of 414 (cheaper than 96% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Burger King, 65% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Sonic Drive-In, 46% are under 500 calories. Burger King offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Sonic Drive-In ($3.28 avg vs $3.33)
- More variety: Sonic Drive-In (92 items)
- More locations: Burger King (6,809 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Burger King (0.72¢/cal)