Chick-fil-A vs Papa John's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 102 items at Chick-fil-A vs 79 items at Papa John's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chick-fil-A averages $5.32 per item across 102 menu items, while Papa John's averages $11.72 across 79 items. Chick-fil-A is $6.40 cheaper per item (55% difference). Papa John's has lower average calories (369 vs 381 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Papa John's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $5.32 | $11.72 | Chick-fil-A |
| Menu Items | 102 | 79 | Chick-fil-A |
| Avg Calories | 381 | 369 | Papa John's |
| US Locations | 3,140 | 3,200 | Papa John's |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 1 | Chick-fil-A |
Chick-fil-A is 55% cheaper on average than Papa John's ($6.40 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Chick-fil-A
Papa John's
Lowest Calorie Options
Chick-fil-A
Papa John's
Deep Comparison: Chick-fil-A vs Papa John's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chick-fil-A delivers 1.91¢/cal on average, while Papa John's delivers 3.50¢/cal. Chick-fil-A gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Chick-fil-A and Papa John's share 2 menu categories (11% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides, desserts. 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:
- desserts: Chick-fil-A avg $1.75 vs Papa John's $6.00 — Chick-fil-A is 71% cheaper
- sides: Chick-fil-A avg $2.77 vs Papa John's $6.31 — Chick-fil-A is 56% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 0 items, Papa John's fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (650 cal), Papa John's fits 1 item (270 cal)
- $20 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (600 cal), Papa John's fits 3 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chick-fil-A ranks #115 of 414 on price (cheaper than 72% of tracked chains). Papa John's ranks #344 of 414 (pricier than 83% 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 Papa John's, 93% are under 500 calories. Papa John's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Chick-fil-A ($5.32 avg vs $11.72)
- More variety: Chick-fil-A (102 items)
- More locations: Papa John's (3,200 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Chick-fil-A (1.91¢/cal)