Chick-fil-A vs Wendy's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 102 items at Chick-fil-A vs 77 items at Wendy's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chick-fil-A averages $5.32 per item across 102 menu items, while Wendy's averages $3.52 across 77 items. Wendy's is $1.80 cheaper per item (34% difference). Chick-fil-A has lower average calories (381 vs 445 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Wendy's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $5.32 | $3.52 | Wendy's |
| Menu Items | 102 | 77 | Chick-fil-A |
| Avg Calories | 381 | 445 | Chick-fil-A |
| US Locations | 3,140 | 6,154 | Wendy's |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 2 | Chick-fil-A |
Wendy's is 34% cheaper on average than Chick-fil-A ($1.80 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Chick-fil-A
Wendy's
Lowest Calorie Options
Chick-fil-A
Wendy's
Deep Comparison: Chick-fil-A vs Wendy's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chick-fil-A delivers 1.91¢/cal on average, while Wendy's delivers 2.09¢/cal. Chick-fil-A gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Chick-fil-A and Wendy's share 2 menu categories (7% 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:
- breakfast: Chick-fil-A avg $3.23 vs Wendy's $4.89 — Chick-fil-A is 34% cheaper
- sides: Chick-fil-A avg $2.77 vs Wendy's $3.25 — Chick-fil-A is 15% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 0 items, Wendy's fits 1 item (330 cal)
- $15 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (650 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (2580 cal)
- $20 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (600 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (690 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chick-fil-A ranks #115 of 414 on price (cheaper than 72% of tracked chains). Wendy's ranks #27 of 414 (cheaper than 94% 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 Wendy's, 73% are under 500 calories. Chick-fil-A offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Wendy's ($3.52 avg vs $5.32)
- More variety: Chick-fil-A (102 items)
- More locations: Wendy's (6,154 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Chick-fil-A (1.91¢/cal)