Jimmy John's vs Panera Bread (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 42 items at Jimmy John's vs 197 items at Panera Bread.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Jimmy John's averages $8.55 per item across 42 menu items, while Panera Bread averages $4.34 across 197 items. Panera Bread is $4.21 cheaper per item (49% difference). Panera Bread has lower average calories (380 vs 996 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Jimmy John's | Panera Bread | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.55 | $4.34 | Panera Bread |
| Menu Items | 42 | 197 | Panera Bread |
| Avg Calories | 996 | 380 | Panera Bread |
| US Locations | 2,550 | 2,254 | Jimmy John's |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 6 | Panera Bread |
Panera Bread is 49% cheaper on average than Jimmy John's ($4.21 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Jimmy John's
Panera Bread
Lowest Calorie Options
Jimmy John's
Panera Bread
Deep Comparison: Jimmy John's vs Panera Bread
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Jimmy John's delivers 1.52¢/cal on average, while Panera Bread delivers 2.45¢/cal. Jimmy John's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Jimmy John's and Panera Bread share 1 menu categories (3% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: 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: Jimmy John's avg $1.56 vs Panera Bread $0.97 — Panera Bread is 38% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Jimmy John's fits 0 items, Panera Bread fits 1 item
- $15 budget: Jimmy John's fits 0 items, Panera Bread fits 3 items (500 cal)
- $20 budget: Jimmy John's fits 3 items (820 cal), Panera Bread fits 3 items (830 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Jimmy John's ranks #253 of 414 on price (pricier than 61% of tracked chains). Panera Bread ranks #62 of 414 (cheaper than 85% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Jimmy John's, 20% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Panera Bread, 72% are under 500 calories. Panera Bread offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Panera Bread ($4.34 avg vs $8.55)
- More variety: Panera Bread (197 items)
- More locations: Jimmy John's (2,550 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Jimmy John's (1.52¢/cal)