Starbucks vs Wendy's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 74 items at Starbucks vs 77 items at Wendy's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Starbucks averages $4.13 per item across 74 menu items, while Wendy's averages $3.52 across 77 items. Wendy's is $0.61 cheaper per item (15% difference). Starbucks has lower average calories (308 vs 445 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Starbucks | Wendy's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.13 | $3.52 | Wendy's |
| Menu Items | 74 | 77 | Wendy's |
| Avg Calories | 308 | 445 | Starbucks |
| US Locations | 13,502 | 6,154 | Starbucks |
| Secret Menu | 15 | 2 | Starbucks |
Wendy's is 15% cheaper on average than Starbucks ($0.61 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Starbucks
Wendy's
Lowest Calorie Options
Starbucks
Wendy's
Deep Comparison: Starbucks vs Wendy's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Starbucks delivers 5.04¢/cal on average, while Wendy's delivers 2.09¢/cal. Wendy's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Starbucks and Wendy's share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Starbucks fits 3 items (310 cal), Wendy's fits 1 item (330 cal)
- $15 budget: Starbucks fits 3 items (1100 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (2580 cal)
- $20 budget: Starbucks fits 3 items (1100 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (690 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Starbucks ranks #49 of 414 on price (cheaper than 88% of tracked chains). Wendy's ranks #27 of 414 (cheaper than 94% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Starbucks, 92% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Wendy's, 73% are under 500 calories. Starbucks offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Wendy's ($3.52 avg vs $4.13)
- More variety: Wendy's (77 items)
- More locations: Starbucks (13,502 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Wendy's (2.09¢/cal)