Jack in the Box vs Wendy's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 111 items at Jack in the Box vs 77 items at Wendy's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Jack in the Box averages $3.75 per item across 111 menu items, while Wendy's averages $3.52 across 77 items. Wendy's is $0.23 cheaper per item (6% difference). Wendy's has lower average calories (445 vs 563 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Jack in the Box | Wendy's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.75 | $3.52 | Wendy's |
| Menu Items | 111 | 77 | Jack in the Box |
| Avg Calories | 563 | 445 | Wendy's |
| US Locations | 2,169 | 6,154 | Wendy's |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 2 | Jack in the Box |
Wendy's is 6% cheaper on average than Jack in the Box ($0.23 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Jack in the Box
Wendy's
Lowest Calorie Options
Jack in the Box
Wendy's
Deep Comparison: Jack in the Box vs Wendy's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Jack in the Box delivers 1.37¢/cal on average, while Wendy's delivers 2.09¢/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 Wendy's share 2 menu categories (7% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: burgers, breakfast. 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:
- breakfast: Jack in the Box avg $2.44 vs Wendy's $4.89 — Jack in the Box is 50% cheaper
- burgers: Jack in the Box avg $4.92 vs Wendy's $4.51 — Wendy's is 8% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (5 cal), Wendy's fits 1 item (330 cal)
- $15 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (1150 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (2580 cal)
- $20 budget: Jack in the Box fits 3 items (820 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (690 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). Wendy's ranks #27 of 414 (cheaper than 94% 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 Wendy's, 73% are under 500 calories. Wendy's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Wendy's ($3.52 avg vs $3.75)
- More variety: Jack in the Box (111 items)
- More locations: Wendy's (6,154 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Jack in the Box (1.37¢/cal)