Arby's vs Dairy Queen (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 86 items at Arby's vs 64 items at Dairy Queen.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Arby's averages $6.03 per item across 86 menu items, while Dairy Queen averages $4.08 across 64 items. Dairy Queen is $1.94 cheaper per item (32% difference). Arby's has lower average calories (474 vs 571 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Arby's | Dairy Queen | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.03 | $4.08 | Dairy Queen |
| Menu Items | 86 | 64 | Arby's |
| Avg Calories | 474 | 571 | Arby's |
| US Locations | 2,163 | 4,500 | Dairy Queen |
| Secret Menu | 14 | 7 | Arby's |
Dairy Queen is 32% cheaper on average than Arby's ($1.94 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Arby's
Dairy Queen
Lowest Calorie Options
Arby's
Dairy Queen
Deep Comparison: Arby's vs Dairy Queen
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Arby's delivers 1.08¢/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
Arby'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: Arby's fits 0 items, Dairy Queen fits 3 items (905 cal)
- $15 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, Dairy Queen fits 3 items (390 cal)
- $20 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, Dairy Queen fits 3 items (1960 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Arby's ranks #154 of 414 on price (cheaper than 63% of tracked chains). Dairy Queen ranks #46 of 414 (cheaper than 89% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Arby's, 57% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Dairy Queen, 41% are under 500 calories. Arby's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Dairy Queen ($4.08 avg vs $6.03)
- More variety: Arby's (86 items)
- More locations: Dairy Queen (4,500 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Dairy Queen (1.04¢/cal)