Chick-fil-A vs Panera Bread (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 102 items at Chick-fil-A vs 197 items at Panera Bread.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chick-fil-A averages $5.32 per item across 102 menu items, while Panera Bread averages $4.34 across 197 items. Panera Bread is $0.98 cheaper per item (18% difference). Panera Bread has lower average calories (380 vs 381 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Panera Bread | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $5.32 | $4.34 | Panera Bread |
| Menu Items | 102 | 197 | Panera Bread |
| Avg Calories | 381 | 380 | Panera Bread |
| US Locations | 3,140 | 2,254 | Chick-fil-A |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 6 | Chick-fil-A |
Panera Bread is 18% cheaper on average than Chick-fil-A ($0.98 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Chick-fil-A
Panera Bread
Lowest Calorie Options
Chick-fil-A
Panera Bread
Deep Comparison: Chick-fil-A vs Panera Bread
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chick-fil-A delivers 1.91¢/cal on average, while Panera Bread delivers 2.45¢/cal. Chick-fil-A gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Chick-fil-A and Panera Bread share 1 menu categories (3% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: 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:
- sides: Chick-fil-A avg $2.77 vs Panera Bread $0.97 — Panera Bread is 65% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 0 items, Panera Bread fits 1 item
- $15 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (650 cal), Panera Bread fits 3 items (500 cal)
- $20 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (600 cal), Panera Bread fits 3 items (830 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chick-fil-A ranks #115 of 414 on price (cheaper than 72% of tracked chains). Panera Bread ranks #62 of 414 (cheaper than 85% 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 Panera Bread, 72% are under 500 calories. Chick-fil-A offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Panera Bread ($4.34 avg vs $5.32)
- More variety: Panera Bread (197 items)
- More locations: Chick-fil-A (3,140 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Chick-fil-A (1.91¢/cal)