Denny's vs Dunkin' (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 171 items at Denny's vs 79 items at Dunkin'.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Denny's averages $6.39 per item across 171 menu items, while Dunkin' averages $3.96 across 79 items. Dunkin' is $2.43 cheaper per item (38% difference). Dunkin' has lower average calories (292 vs 544 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Denny's | Dunkin' | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.39 | $3.96 | Dunkin' |
| Menu Items | 171 | 79 | Denny's |
| Avg Calories | 544 | 292 | Dunkin' |
| US Locations | 1,350 | 9,686 | Dunkin' |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 1 | Dunkin' |
Dunkin' is 38% cheaper on average than Denny's ($2.43 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Denny's vs Dunkin'
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Denny's delivers 1.49¢/cal on average, while Dunkin' delivers 11.80¢/cal. Denny's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Denny's and Dunkin' share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Denny's fits 1 item (270 cal), Dunkin' fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Denny's fits 0 items, Dunkin' fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Denny's fits 3 items (961 cal), Dunkin' fits 3 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Denny's ranks #168 of 414 on price (cheaper than 60% of tracked chains). Dunkin' ranks #39 of 414 (cheaper than 91% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Denny's, 56% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Dunkin', 88% are under 500 calories. Dunkin' offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Dunkin' ($3.96 avg vs $6.39)
- More variety: Denny's (171 items)
- More locations: Dunkin' (9,686 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Denny's (1.49¢/cal)