Jack in the Box vs Papa John's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 111 items at Jack in the Box vs 79 items at Papa John's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Jack in the Box averages $3.75 per item across 111 menu items, while Papa John's averages $11.72 across 79 items. Jack in the Box is $7.97 cheaper per item (68% difference). Papa John's has lower average calories (369 vs 563 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Jack in the Box | Papa John's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.75 | $11.72 | Jack in the Box |
| Menu Items | 111 | 79 | Jack in the Box |
| Avg Calories | 563 | 369 | Papa John's |
| US Locations | 2,169 | 3,200 | Papa John's |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 1 | Jack in the Box |
Jack in the Box is 68% cheaper on average than Papa John's ($7.97 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Jack in the Box
Papa John's
Lowest Calorie Options
Jack in the Box
Papa John's
Deep Comparison: Jack in the Box vs Papa John's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Jack in the Box delivers 1.37¢/cal on average, while Papa John's delivers 3.50¢/cal. Jack in the Box gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Jack in the Box and Papa John's share 1 menu categories (5% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: 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: Jack in the Box avg $1.34 vs Papa John's $6.00 — Jack in the Box is 78% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (5 cal), Papa John's fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (1150 cal), Papa John's fits 1 item (270 cal)
- $20 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (820 cal), Papa John's fits 3 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Jack in the Box ranks #33 of 414 on price (cheaper than 92% of tracked chains). Papa John's ranks #344 of 414 (pricier than 83% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Jack in the Box, 35% 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: Jack in the Box ($3.75 avg vs $11.72)
- More variety: Jack in the Box (111 items)
- More locations: Papa John's (3,200 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Jack in the Box (1.37¢/cal)