Arby's vs Sonic Drive-In (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 86 items at Arby's vs 92 items at Sonic Drive-In.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Arby's averages $6.03 per item across 86 menu items, while Sonic Drive-In averages $3.28 across 92 items. Sonic Drive-In is $2.75 cheaper per item (46% difference). Arby's has lower average calories (474 vs 578 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Arby's | Sonic Drive-In | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.03 | $3.28 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Menu Items | 86 | 92 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Avg Calories | 474 | 578 | Arby's |
| US Locations | 2,163 | 3,519 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Secret Menu | 14 | 7 | Arby's |
Sonic Drive-In is 46% cheaper on average than Arby's ($2.75 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Arby's
Sonic Drive-In
Lowest Calorie Options
Arby's
Sonic Drive-In
Deep Comparison: Arby's vs Sonic Drive-In
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Arby's delivers 1.08¢/cal on average, while Sonic Drive-In delivers 0.86¢/cal. Sonic Drive-In gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Arby's and Sonic Drive-In 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 Sonic Drive-In $1.73 — Sonic Drive-In is 50% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Arby's fits 0 items, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (320 cal)
- $15 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (1790 cal)
- $20 budget: Arby's fits 3 items, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (2090 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Arby's ranks #154 of 414 on price (cheaper than 63% of tracked chains). Sonic Drive-In ranks #18 of 414 (cheaper than 96% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Arby's, 57% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Sonic Drive-In, 46% are under 500 calories. Arby's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Sonic Drive-In ($3.28 avg vs $6.03)
- More variety: Sonic Drive-In (92 items)
- More locations: Sonic Drive-In (3,519 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Sonic Drive-In (0.86¢/cal)