Panda Express vs Wendy's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 11 items at Panda Express vs 77 items at Wendy's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Panda Express averages $7.73 per item across 11 menu items, while Wendy's averages $3.52 across 77 items. Wendy's is $4.20 cheaper per item (54% difference). Wendy's has lower average calories (445 vs 479 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Panda Express | Wendy's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $7.73 | $3.52 | Wendy's |
| Menu Items | 11 | 77 | Wendy's |
| Avg Calories | 479 | 445 | Wendy's |
| US Locations | 2,500 | 6,154 | Wendy's |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 2 | Wendy's |
Wendy's is 54% cheaper on average than Panda Express ($4.20 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Panda Express
Wendy's
Lowest Calorie Options
Panda Express
Wendy's
Deep Comparison: Panda Express vs Wendy's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Panda Express delivers 1.18¢/cal on average, while Wendy's delivers 2.09¢/cal. Panda Express gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Panda Express and Wendy's share 1 menu categories (5% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides. Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Panda Express fits 0 items, Wendy's fits 1 item (330 cal)
- $15 budget: Panda Express fits 1 item (360 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (2580 cal)
- $20 budget: Panda Express fits 2 items (860 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (690 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Panda Express ranks #218 of 414 on price (pricier than 52% of tracked chains). Wendy's ranks #27 of 414 (cheaper than 94% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Panda Express, 55% 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 $7.73)
- More variety: Wendy's (77 items)
- More locations: Wendy's (6,154 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Panda Express (1.18¢/cal)