Chipotle vs Panda Express (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 72 items at Chipotle vs 11 items at Panda Express.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chipotle averages $6.54 per item across 72 menu items, while Panda Express averages $7.73 across 11 items. Chipotle is $1.18 cheaper per item (15% difference). Chipotle has lower average calories (449 vs 479 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chipotle | Panda Express | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.54 | $7.73 | Chipotle |
| Menu Items | 72 | 11 | Chipotle |
| Avg Calories | 449 | 479 | Chipotle |
| US Locations | 3,727 | 2,500 | Chipotle |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 1 | Chipotle |
Chipotle is 15% cheaper on average than Panda Express ($1.18 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Chipotle
Panda Express
Lowest Calorie Options
Chipotle
Panda Express
Deep Comparison: Chipotle vs Panda Express
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chipotle delivers 3.14¢/cal on average, while Panda Express delivers 1.18¢/cal. Panda Express gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Chipotle and Panda Express share 1 menu categories (8% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: entrees. 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:
- entrees: Chipotle avg $9.88 vs Panda Express $1.50 — Panda Express is 85% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chipotle fits 0 items, Panda Express fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Chipotle fits 0 items, Panda Express fits 1 item (360 cal)
- $20 budget: Chipotle fits 3 items (20 cal), Panda Express fits 2 items (860 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chipotle ranks #173 of 414 on price (cheaper than 58% of tracked chains). Panda Express ranks #218 of 414 (pricier than 52% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Chipotle, 53% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Panda Express, 55% are under 500 calories. Panda Express offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Chipotle ($6.54 avg vs $7.73)
- More variety: Chipotle (72 items)
- More locations: Chipotle (3,727 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Panda Express (1.18¢/cal)