Arby's vs Panda Express (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 86 items at Arby's vs 11 items at Panda Express.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Arby's averages $6.03 per item across 86 menu items, while Panda Express averages $7.73 across 11 items. Arby's is $1.70 cheaper per item (22% difference). Arby's has lower average calories (474 vs 479 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Arby's | Panda Express | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.03 | $7.73 | Arby's |
| Menu Items | 86 | 11 | Arby's |
| Avg Calories | 474 | 479 | Arby's |
| US Locations | 2,163 | 2,500 | Panda Express |
| Secret Menu | 14 | 1 | Arby's |
Arby's is 22% cheaper on average than Panda Express ($1.70 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Arby's
Panda Express
Lowest Calorie Options
Arby's
Panda Express
Deep Comparison: Arby's vs Panda Express
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Arby's delivers 1.08¢/cal on average, while Panda Express delivers 1.18¢/cal. Arby's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Arby's and Panda Express share 1 menu categories (8% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides. Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Arby's fits 0 items, Panda Express fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, Panda Express fits 1 item (360 cal)
- $20 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, Panda Express fits 2 items (860 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Arby's ranks #154 of 414 on price (cheaper than 63% of tracked chains). Panda Express ranks #218 of 414 (pricier 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 Panda Express, 55% are under 500 calories. Arby's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Arby's ($6.03 avg vs $7.73)
- More variety: Arby's (86 items)
- More locations: Panda Express (2,500 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Arby's (1.08¢/cal)