Which is cheaper, Chick-fil-A or Panda Express?

Chick-fil-A is cheaper, averaging $5.32 per item versus $7.73 for Panda Express — a 31% difference. Based on 113 menu items as of April 2026.

Which has more menu items, Chick-fil-A or Panda Express?

Chick-fil-A has more menu items (102 vs 11). The total combined menu across both chains is 113 items.

Which has lower calories, Chick-fil-A or Panda Express?

Chick-fil-A averages 381 calories per item, compared to 479 for Panda Express. Both chains offer items under 500 calories.

Are Chick-fil-A and Panda Express similar?

Chick-fil-A (3,140 US locations) and Panda Express (2,500 US locations) compete on 2 similar menu categories. Cuisine overlap: 14%.

Chick-fil-A vs Panda Express (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 102 items at Chick-fil-A vs 11 items at Panda Express.

Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chick-fil-A averages $5.32 per item across 102 menu items, while Panda Express averages $7.73 across 11 items. Chick-fil-A is $2.40 cheaper per item (31% difference). Chick-fil-A has lower average calories (381 vs 479 per item).

Quick Comparison

Chick-fil-A vs Panda Express: Quick Price & Menu Comparison
Metric	Chick-fil-A	Panda Express	Winner
Avg Price	$5.32	$7.73	Chick-fil-A
Menu Items	102	11	Chick-fil-A
Avg Calories	381	479	Chick-fil-A
US Locations	3,140	2,500	Chick-fil-A
Secret Menu	10	1	Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A is 31% cheaper on average than Panda Express ($2.40 less per item).

Cheapest Items

Chick-fil-A

Icedream Topping $0.25

Upsize Fries & Drink $0.46

Buttered Biscuit $0.89

Hash Browns $0.99

Substitute Medium Premium Side $1.00

Panda Express

Honey Walnut Shrimp $1.50

Bowl (1 entree + 1 side) $8.30

Plate (2 entrees + 1 side) $9.80

Bigger Plate (3 entrees + 1 side) $11.30

Lowest Calorie Options

Chick-fil-A

Fruit Cup 60 cal

1% Milk Plain or Chocolate 90 cal

Hand-Spun Milkshakes (Cookies & Cream, Chocolate, Strawberry, or Vanilla) 90 cal

Kale Crunch Side 120 cal

Grilled Nuggets (8-ct) 130 cal

Panda Express

Broccoli Beef 150 cal

Kung Pao Chicken 290 cal

Honey Walnut Shrimp 360 cal

White Steamed Rice 380 cal

Beijing Beef 470 cal

Deep Comparison: Chick-fil-A vs Panda Express

Calorie Value (cents per calorie)

Chick-fil-A delivers 1.91¢/cal on average, while Panda Express delivers 1.18¢/cal. Panda Express gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.

Menu Category Overlap

Chick-fil-A and Panda Express share 2 menu categories (14% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: entrees, sides. 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:

entrees: Chick-fil-A avg $3.81 vs Panda Express $1.50 — Panda Express is 61% cheaper

What Fits in Your Budget

$10 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 0 items, Panda Express fits 0 items
$15 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (650 cal), Panda Express fits 1 item (360 cal)
$20 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (600 cal), Panda Express fits 2 items (860 cal)

Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset

Chick-fil-A ranks #115 of 414 on price (cheaper than 72% of tracked chains). Panda Express ranks #218 of 414 (pricier than 52% of chains).

Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)

At Chick-fil-A, 79% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Panda Express, 55% are under 500 calories. Chick-fil-A offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.

Bottom Line

Budget pick: Chick-fil-A ($5.32 avg vs $7.73)
More variety: Chick-fil-A (102 items)
More locations: Chick-fil-A (3,140 US locations)
Best calorie value: Panda Express (1.18¢/cal)

Full Menus

Chick-fil-A Menu Panda Express Menu Cheapest Fast Food Low Calorie Guide