Chick-fil-A vs Whataburger (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 102 items at Chick-fil-A vs 85 items at Whataburger.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chick-fil-A averages $5.32 per item across 102 menu items, while Whataburger averages $3.88 across 85 items. Whataburger is $1.44 cheaper per item (27% difference). Chick-fil-A has lower average calories (381 vs 560 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chick-fil-A | Whataburger | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $5.32 | $3.88 | Whataburger |
| Menu Items | 102 | 85 | Chick-fil-A |
| Avg Calories | 381 | 560 | Chick-fil-A |
| US Locations | 3,140 | 1,030 | Chick-fil-A |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 7 | Chick-fil-A |
Whataburger is 27% cheaper on average than Chick-fil-A ($1.44 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Chick-fil-A
Whataburger
Lowest Calorie Options
Chick-fil-A
Whataburger
Deep Comparison: Chick-fil-A vs Whataburger
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chick-fil-A delivers 1.91¢/cal on average, while Whataburger delivers 1.14¢/cal. Whataburger gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Chick-fil-A and Whataburger share 2 menu categories (8% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: salads, 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 Whataburger $1.81 — Whataburger is 35% cheaper
- salads: Chick-fil-A avg $7.98 vs Whataburger $5.44 — Whataburger is 32% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 0 items, Whataburger fits 3 items (35 cal)
- $15 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (650 cal), Whataburger fits 3 items (1395 cal)
- $20 budget: Chick-fil-A fits 3 items (600 cal), Whataburger fits 3 items (2495 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chick-fil-A ranks #115 of 414 on price (cheaper than 72% of tracked chains). Whataburger ranks #36 of 414 (cheaper than 92% 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 Whataburger, 49% are under 500 calories. Chick-fil-A offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Whataburger ($3.88 avg vs $5.32)
- More variety: Chick-fil-A (102 items)
- More locations: Chick-fil-A (3,140 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Whataburger (1.14¢/cal)