Denny's vs KFC (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 171 items at Denny's vs 46 items at KFC.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Denny's averages $6.39 per item across 171 menu items, while KFC averages $7.23 across 46 items. Denny's is $0.84 cheaper per item (12% difference). KFC has lower average calories (430 vs 544 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Denny's | KFC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.39 | $7.23 | Denny's |
| Menu Items | 171 | 46 | Denny's |
| Avg Calories | 544 | 430 | KFC |
| US Locations | 1,350 | 4,205 | KFC |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 7 | KFC |
Denny's is 12% cheaper on average than KFC ($0.84 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Denny's vs KFC
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Denny's delivers 1.49¢/cal on average, while KFC delivers 1.67¢/cal. Denny's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Denny's and KFC share 2 menu categories (6% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides, desserts. 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:
- desserts: Denny's avg $5.30 vs KFC $2.64 — KFC is 50% cheaper
- sides: Denny's avg $3.44 vs KFC $2.09 — KFC is 39% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Denny's fits 1 item (270 cal), KFC fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Denny's fits 0 items, KFC fits 1 item
- $20 budget: Denny's fits 3 items (961 cal), KFC fits 1 item (180 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Denny's ranks #168 of 414 on price (cheaper than 60% of tracked chains). KFC ranks #201 of 414 (cheaper than 52% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Denny's, 56% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At KFC, 56% are under 500 calories. Denny's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Denny's ($6.39 avg vs $7.23)
- More variety: Denny's (171 items)
- More locations: KFC (4,205 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Denny's (1.49¢/cal)