Arby's vs KFC (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 86 items at Arby's vs 46 items at KFC.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Arby's averages $6.03 per item across 86 menu items, while KFC averages $7.23 across 46 items. Arby's is $1.20 cheaper per item (17% difference). KFC has lower average calories (430 vs 474 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Arby's | KFC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.03 | $7.23 | Arby's |
| Menu Items | 86 | 46 | Arby's |
| Avg Calories | 474 | 430 | KFC |
| US Locations | 2,163 | 4,205 | KFC |
| Secret Menu | 14 | 7 | Arby's |
Arby's is 17% cheaper on average than KFC ($1.20 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Arby's vs KFC
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Arby's delivers 1.08¢/cal on average, while KFC delivers 1.67¢/cal. Arby's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Arby's and KFC share 2 menu categories (8% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides, desserts. 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 KFC $2.09 — KFC is 40% cheaper
- desserts: Arby's avg $2.72 vs KFC $2.64 — KFC is 3% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Arby's fits 0 items, KFC fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, KFC fits 1 item
- $20 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, KFC fits 1 item (180 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Arby's ranks #154 of 414 on price (cheaper than 63% of tracked chains). KFC ranks #201 of 414 (cheaper than 52% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Arby's, 57% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At KFC, 56% are under 500 calories. Arby's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Arby's ($6.03 avg vs $7.23)
- More variety: Arby's (86 items)
- More locations: KFC (4,205 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Arby's (1.08¢/cal)