Jack in the Box vs Sonic Drive-In (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 111 items at Jack in the Box vs 92 items at Sonic Drive-In.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Jack in the Box averages $3.75 per item across 111 menu items, while Sonic Drive-In averages $3.28 across 92 items. Sonic Drive-In is $0.48 cheaper per item (13% difference). Jack in the Box has lower average calories (563 vs 578 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Jack in the Box | Sonic Drive-In | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.75 | $3.28 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Menu Items | 111 | 92 | Jack in the Box |
| Avg Calories | 563 | 578 | Jack in the Box |
| US Locations | 2,169 | 3,519 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 7 | Tie |
Sonic Drive-In is 13% cheaper on average than Jack in the Box ($0.48 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Jack in the Box
Sonic Drive-In
Lowest Calorie Options
Jack in the Box
Sonic Drive-In
Deep Comparison: Jack in the Box vs Sonic Drive-In
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Jack in the Box delivers 1.37¢/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
Jack in the Box and Sonic Drive-In share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (5 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (320 cal)
- $15 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (1150 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (1790 cal)
- $20 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (820 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (2090 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Jack in the Box ranks #33 of 414 on price (cheaper than 92% of tracked chains). Sonic Drive-In ranks #18 of 414 (cheaper than 96% 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 Sonic Drive-In, 46% are under 500 calories. Sonic Drive-In offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Sonic Drive-In ($3.28 avg vs $3.75)
- More variety: Jack in the Box (111 items)
- More locations: Sonic Drive-In (3,519 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Sonic Drive-In (0.86¢/cal)