Firehouse Subs vs Sonic Drive-In (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 66 items at Firehouse Subs vs 92 items at Sonic Drive-In.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Firehouse Subs averages $8.49 per item across 66 menu items, while Sonic Drive-In averages $3.28 across 92 items. Sonic Drive-In is $5.22 cheaper per item (61% difference). Sonic Drive-In has lower average calories (578 vs 586 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Firehouse Subs | Sonic Drive-In | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.49 | $3.28 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Menu Items | 66 | 92 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Avg Calories | 586 | 578 | Sonic Drive-In |
| US Locations | 1,200 | 3,519 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 7 | Sonic Drive-In |
Sonic Drive-In is 61% cheaper on average than Firehouse Subs ($5.22 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Sonic Drive-In
Lowest Calorie Options
Firehouse Subs
Sonic Drive-In
Deep Comparison: Firehouse Subs vs Sonic Drive-In
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Firehouse Subs delivers 5.63¢/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
Firehouse Subs and Sonic Drive-In share 2 menu categories (8% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: drinks, 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: Firehouse Subs avg $2.21 vs Sonic Drive-In $1.73 — Sonic Drive-In is 22% cheaper
- drinks: Firehouse Subs avg $1.89 vs Sonic Drive-In $2.22 — Firehouse Subs is 15% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Firehouse Subs fits 1 item, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (320 cal)
- $15 budget: Firehouse Subs fits 0 items, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (1790 cal)
- $20 budget: Firehouse Subs fits 1 item (310 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (2090 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Firehouse Subs ranks #249 of 414 on price (pricier than 60% of tracked chains). Sonic Drive-In ranks #18 of 414 (cheaper than 96% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Firehouse Subs, 63% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Sonic Drive-In, 46% are under 500 calories. Firehouse Subs offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Sonic Drive-In ($3.28 avg vs $8.49)
- More variety: Sonic Drive-In (92 items)
- More locations: Sonic Drive-In (3,519 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Sonic Drive-In (0.86¢/cal)