Dairy Queen vs Wawa (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 64 items at Dairy Queen vs 59 items at Wawa.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Dairy Queen averages $4.08 per item across 64 menu items, while Wawa averages $3.62 across 59 items. Wawa is $0.46 cheaper per item (11% difference). Dairy Queen has lower average calories (571 vs 693 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dairy Queen | Wawa | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.08 | $3.62 | Wawa |
| Menu Items | 64 | 59 | Dairy Queen |
| Avg Calories | 571 | 693 | Dairy Queen |
| US Locations | 4,500 | 1,200 | Dairy Queen |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 0 | Dairy Queen |
Wawa is 11% cheaper on average than Dairy Queen ($0.46 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Dairy Queen
Wawa
Lowest Calorie Options
Dairy Queen
Wawa
Deep Comparison: Dairy Queen vs Wawa
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dairy Queen delivers 1.04¢/cal on average, while Wawa delivers 0.86¢/cal. Wawa gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dairy Queen and Wawa 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), Wawa fits 3 items (450 cal)
- $15 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (390 cal), Wawa fits 2 items (530 cal)
- $20 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (1960 cal), Wawa fits 3 items (650 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dairy Queen ranks #46 of 414 on price (cheaper than 89% of tracked chains). Wawa ranks #29 of 414 (cheaper than 93% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dairy Queen, 41% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Wawa, 38% are under 500 calories. Dairy Queen offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Wawa ($3.62 avg vs $4.08)
- More variety: Dairy Queen (64 items)
- More locations: Dairy Queen (4,500 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Wawa (0.86¢/cal)