Applebee's vs Jimmy John's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 78 items at Applebee's vs 42 items at Jimmy John's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Applebee's averages $8.80 per item across 78 menu items, while Jimmy John's averages $8.55 across 42 items. Prices are within 3% — neither chain is meaningfully cheaper. Applebee's has lower average calories (682 vs 996 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Applebee's | Jimmy John's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.80 | $8.55 | Tie |
| Menu Items | 78 | 42 | Applebee's |
| Avg Calories | 682 | 996 | Applebee's |
| US Locations | 1,483 | 2,550 | Jimmy John's |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 1 | Jimmy John's |
Applebee's and Jimmy John's have similar average prices.
Cheapest Items
Applebee's
Jimmy John's
Lowest Calorie Options
Applebee's
Jimmy John's
Deep Comparison: Applebee's vs Jimmy John's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Applebee's delivers 2.22¢/cal on average, while Jimmy John's delivers 1.52¢/cal. Jimmy John's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Applebee's and Jimmy John's 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, Jimmy John's fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Applebee's fits 1 item, Jimmy John's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Applebee's fits 3 items (390 cal), Jimmy John's fits 3 items (820 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Applebee's ranks #270 of 414 on price (pricier than 65% of tracked chains). Jimmy John's ranks #253 of 414 (pricier than 61% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Applebee's, 37% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Jimmy John's, 20% are under 500 calories. Applebee's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Jimmy John's ($8.55 avg vs $8.80)
- More variety: Applebee's (78 items)
- More locations: Jimmy John's (2,550 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Jimmy John's (1.52¢/cal)