Dunkin' vs Papa John's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 79 items at Dunkin' vs 79 items at Papa John's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Dunkin' averages $3.96 per item across 79 menu items, while Papa John's averages $11.72 across 79 items. Dunkin' is $7.76 cheaper per item (66% difference). Dunkin' has lower average calories (292 vs 369 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dunkin' | Papa John's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.96 | $11.72 | Dunkin' |
| Menu Items | 79 | 79 | Tie |
| Avg Calories | 292 | 369 | Dunkin' |
| US Locations | 9,686 | 3,200 | Dunkin' |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Dunkin' is 66% cheaper on average than Papa John's ($7.76 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Dunkin'
Papa John's
Lowest Calorie Options
Dunkin'
Papa John's
Deep Comparison: Dunkin' vs Papa John's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dunkin' delivers 11.80¢/cal on average, while Papa John's delivers 3.50¢/cal. Papa John's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dunkin' and Papa John's share 1 menu categories (6% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: drinks. 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:
- drinks: Dunkin' avg $3.41 vs Papa John's $1.80 — Papa John's is 47% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Dunkin' fits 0 items, Papa John's fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Dunkin' fits 0 items, Papa John's fits 1 item (270 cal)
- $20 budget: Dunkin' fits 3 items, Papa John's fits 3 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dunkin' ranks #39 of 414 on price (cheaper than 91% of tracked chains). Papa John's ranks #344 of 414 (pricier than 83% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dunkin', 88% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Papa John's, 93% are under 500 calories. Papa John's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Dunkin' ($3.96 avg vs $11.72)
- More variety: Dunkin' (79 items)
- More locations: Dunkin' (9,686 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Papa John's (3.50¢/cal)