Arby's vs Jimmy John's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 86 items at Arby's vs 42 items at Jimmy John's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Arby's averages $6.03 per item across 86 menu items, while Jimmy John's averages $8.55 across 42 items. Arby's is $2.53 cheaper per item (30% difference). Arby's has lower average calories (474 vs 996 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Arby's | Jimmy John's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.03 | $8.55 | Arby's |
| Menu Items | 86 | 42 | Arby's |
| Avg Calories | 474 | 996 | Arby's |
| US Locations | 2,163 | 2,550 | Jimmy John's |
| Secret Menu | 14 | 1 | Arby's |
Arby's is 30% cheaper on average than Jimmy John's ($2.53 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Arby's
Jimmy John's
Lowest Calorie Options
Arby's
Jimmy John's
Deep Comparison: Arby's vs Jimmy John's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Arby's delivers 1.08¢/cal on average, while Jimmy John's delivers 1.52¢/cal. Arby's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Arby's and Jimmy John's share 1 menu categories (5% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides. Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
Price Differences by Shared Category
Where these chains overlap, here is who undercuts whom on average price:
- sides: Arby's avg $3.46 vs Jimmy John's $1.56 — Jimmy John's is 55% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Arby's fits 0 items, Jimmy John's fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, Jimmy John's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, Jimmy John's fits 3 items (820 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Arby's ranks #154 of 414 on price (cheaper than 63% of tracked chains). Jimmy John's ranks #253 of 414 (pricier than 61% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Arby's, 57% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Jimmy John's, 20% are under 500 calories. Arby's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Arby's ($6.03 avg vs $8.55)
- More variety: Arby's (86 items)
- More locations: Jimmy John's (2,550 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Arby's (1.08¢/cal)