Dairy Queen vs Raising Cane's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 64 items at Dairy Queen vs 28 items at Raising Cane's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Dairy Queen averages $4.08 per item across 64 menu items, while Raising Cane's averages $43.52 across 28 items. Dairy Queen is $39.44 cheaper per item (91% difference). Dairy Queen has lower average calories (571 vs 916 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dairy Queen | Raising Cane's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.08 | $43.52 | Dairy Queen |
| Menu Items | 64 | 28 | Dairy Queen |
| Avg Calories | 571 | 916 | Dairy Queen |
| US Locations | 4,500 | 800 | Dairy Queen |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 1 | Dairy Queen |
Dairy Queen is 91% cheaper on average than Raising Cane's ($39.44 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Dairy Queen
Raising Cane's
Lowest Calorie Options
Dairy Queen
Raising Cane's
Deep Comparison: Dairy Queen vs Raising Cane's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dairy Queen delivers 1.04¢/cal on average, while Raising Cane's delivers 0.74¢/cal. Raising Cane's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dairy Queen and Raising Cane's share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (905 cal), Raising Cane's fits 1 item (960 cal)
- $15 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (390 cal), Raising Cane's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (1960 cal), Raising Cane's fits 3 items (2360 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dairy Queen ranks #46 of 414 on price (cheaper than 89% of tracked chains). Raising Cane's ranks #409 of 414 (pricier than 99% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dairy Queen, 41% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Raising Cane's, 32% are under 500 calories. Dairy Queen offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Dairy Queen ($4.08 avg vs $43.52)
- More variety: Dairy Queen (64 items)
- More locations: Dairy Queen (4,500 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Raising Cane's (0.74¢/cal)