Chick-fil-A vs Subway (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 102 items at Chick-fil-A vs 83 items at Subway.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chick-fil-A averages $5.32 per item across 102 menu items, while Subway averages $5.57 across 83 items. Prices are within 4% — neither chain is meaningfully cheaper. Chick-fil-A has lower average calories (381 vs 586 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Subway | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $5.32 | $5.57 | Tie |
| Menu Items | 102 | 83 | Chick-fil-A |
| Avg Calories | 381 | 586 | Chick-fil-A |
| US Locations | 3,140 | 16,177 | Subway |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 3 | Chick-fil-A |
Chick-fil-A and Subway have similar average prices.
Cheapest Items
Chick-fil-A
Subway
Lowest Calorie Options
Chick-fil-A
Subway
Deep Comparison: Chick-fil-A vs Subway
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chick-fil-A delivers 1.91¢/cal on average, while Subway delivers 1.46¢/cal. Subway gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Chick-fil-A and Subway share 2 menu categories (10% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides, breakfast. 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 Subway $1.03 — Subway is 63% cheaper
- breakfast: Chick-fil-A avg $3.23 vs Subway $6.54 — Chick-fil-A is 51% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 0 items, Subway fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (650 cal), Subway fits 3 items (1380 cal)
- $20 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (600 cal), Subway fits 3 items (1520 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chick-fil-A ranks #115 of 414 on price (cheaper than 72% of tracked chains). Subway ranks #132 of 414 (cheaper than 68% 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 Subway, 50% are under 500 calories. Chick-fil-A offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Chick-fil-A ($5.32 avg vs $5.57)
- More variety: Chick-fil-A (102 items)
- More locations: Subway (16,177 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Subway (1.46¢/cal)