Denny's vs Sonic Drive-In (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 171 items at Denny's vs 92 items at Sonic Drive-In.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Denny's averages $6.39 per item across 171 menu items, while Sonic Drive-In averages $3.28 across 92 items. Sonic Drive-In is $3.11 cheaper per item (49% difference). Denny's has lower average calories (544 vs 578 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Denny's | Sonic Drive-In | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.39 | $3.28 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Menu Items | 171 | 92 | Denny's |
| Avg Calories | 544 | 578 | Denny's |
| US Locations | 1,350 | 3,519 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 7 | Sonic Drive-In |
Sonic Drive-In is 49% cheaper on average than Denny's ($3.11 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Denny's
Sonic Drive-In
Lowest Calorie Options
Denny's
Sonic Drive-In
Deep Comparison: Denny's vs Sonic Drive-In
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Denny's delivers 1.49¢/cal on average, while Sonic Drive-In delivers 0.86¢/cal. Sonic Drive-In gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Denny's and Sonic Drive-In share 1 menu categories (4% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides. 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:
- sides: Denny's avg $3.44 vs Sonic Drive-In $1.73 — Sonic Drive-In is 50% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Denny's fits 1 item (270 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (320 cal)
- $15 budget: Denny's fits 0 items, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (1790 cal)
- $20 budget: Denny's fits 3 items (961 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (2090 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Denny's ranks #168 of 414 on price (cheaper than 60% of tracked chains). Sonic Drive-In ranks #18 of 414 (cheaper than 96% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Denny's, 56% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Sonic Drive-In, 46% are under 500 calories. Denny's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Sonic Drive-In ($3.28 avg vs $6.39)
- More variety: Denny's (171 items)
- More locations: Sonic Drive-In (3,519 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Sonic Drive-In (0.86¢/cal)