Which is cheaper, Applebee's or Dairy Queen?

Dairy Queen is cheaper, averaging $4.08 per item versus $8.80 for Applebee's — a 54% difference. Based on 142 menu items as of April 2026.

Which has more menu items, Applebee's or Dairy Queen?

Applebee's has more menu items (78 vs 64). The total combined menu across both chains is 142 items.

Which has lower calories, Applebee's or Dairy Queen?

Dairy Queen averages 571 calories per item, compared to 682 for Applebee's. Both chains offer items under 500 calories.

Are Applebee's and Dairy Queen similar?

Applebee's (1,483 US locations) and Dairy Queen (4,500 US locations) compete on 0 similar menu categories. Cuisine overlap: 0%.

Applebee's vs Dairy Queen (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 78 items at Applebee's vs 64 items at Dairy Queen.

Quick answer: As of April 2026, Applebee's averages $8.80 per item across 78 menu items, while Dairy Queen averages $4.08 across 64 items. Dairy Queen is $4.72 cheaper per item (54% difference). Dairy Queen has lower average calories (571 vs 682 per item).

Quick Comparison

Applebee's vs Dairy Queen: Quick Price & Menu Comparison
Metric	Applebee's	Dairy Queen	Winner
Avg Price	$8.80	$4.08	Dairy Queen
Menu Items	78	64	Applebee's
Avg Calories	682	571	Dairy Queen
US Locations	1,483	4,500	Dairy Queen
Secret Menu	0	7	Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen is 54% cheaper on average than Applebee's ($4.72 less per item).

Cheapest Items

Applebee's

Brownie Bites $1.00

Garlic Mashed Potatoes Per Person $1.49

Cole Slaw Per Person $1.49

Side Crispy Cheddar Bacon Potatoes $1.99

Side Garlicky Green Beans $1.99

Dairy Queen

Add Extra Stuff $0.69

Add a Boost (Protein) $0.99

Add a Boost (Fresh Banana) $0.99

Buffalo Chicken $1.89

Chicken Bacon BBQ $1.89

Lowest Calorie Options

Applebee's

Side Crispy Cheddar Bacon Potatoes 100 cal

Side House Salad 120 cal

Side Garlic Mashed Potatoes 130 cal

Grilled Shrimp Avocado & Grapefruit Salad 150 cal

Side Fire-Grilled Veggies 150 cal

Dairy Queen

Chicken Wrap 280 cal

Fries 280 cal

1/4 lb. Bacon Cheese GrillBurger 390 cal

1/4 lb. Bacon Cheese GrillBurger – Combo 390 cal

Chicken Bacon Ranch – Combo 390 cal

Deep Comparison: Applebee's vs Dairy Queen

Calorie Value (cents per calorie)

Applebee's delivers 2.22¢/cal on average, while Dairy Queen delivers 1.04¢/cal. Dairy Queen gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.

Menu Category Overlap

Applebee's and Dairy Queen share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.

What Fits in Your Budget

$10 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Dairy Queen fits 3 items (905 cal)
$15 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Dairy Queen fits 3 items (390 cal)
$20 budget: Applebee's fits 3 items (390 cal), Dairy Queen fits 3 items (1960 cal)

Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset

Applebee's ranks #270 of 414 on price (pricier than 65% of tracked chains). Dairy Queen ranks #46 of 414 (cheaper than 89% of chains).

Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)

At Applebee's, 37% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Dairy Queen, 41% are under 500 calories. Dairy Queen offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.

Bottom Line

Budget pick: Dairy Queen ($4.08 avg vs $8.80)
More variety: Applebee's (78 items)
More locations: Dairy Queen (4,500 US locations)
Best calorie value: Dairy Queen (1.04¢/cal)

Full Menus

Applebee's Menu Dairy Queen Menu Cheapest Fast Food Low Calorie Guide