Baskin-Robbins vs McDonald's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 29 items at Baskin-Robbins vs 164 items at McDonald's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Baskin-Robbins averages $3.61 per item across 29 menu items, while McDonald's averages $6.03 across 164 items. Baskin-Robbins is $2.42 cheaper per item (40% difference). McDonald's has lower average calories (413 vs 728 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Baskin-Robbins | McDonald's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.61 | $6.03 | Baskin-Robbins |
| Menu Items | 29 | 164 | McDonald's |
| Avg Calories | 728 | 413 | McDonald's |
| US Locations | 2,500 | 13,786 | McDonald's |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 15 | McDonald's |
Baskin-Robbins is 40% cheaper on average than McDonald's ($2.42 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Baskin-Robbins
McDonald's
Lowest Calorie Options
Baskin-Robbins
McDonald's
Deep Comparison: Baskin-Robbins vs McDonald's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Baskin-Robbins delivers 0.74¢/cal on average, while McDonald's delivers 6.07¢/cal. Baskin-Robbins gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Baskin-Robbins and McDonald's share 1 menu categories (5% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: beverages. 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:
- beverages: Baskin-Robbins avg $3.05 vs McDonald's $3.17 — Baskin-Robbins is 4% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Baskin-Robbins fits 3 items, McDonald's fits 1 item (290 cal)
- $15 budget: Baskin-Robbins fits 3 items (2210 cal), McDonald's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Baskin-Robbins fits 3 items (3310 cal), McDonald's fits 3 items (260 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Baskin-Robbins ranks #28 of 414 on price (cheaper than 93% of tracked chains). McDonald's ranks #156 of 414 (cheaper than 63% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Baskin-Robbins, 27% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At McDonald's, 70% are under 500 calories. McDonald's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Baskin-Robbins ($3.61 avg vs $6.03)
- More variety: McDonald's (164 items)
- More locations: McDonald's (13,786 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Baskin-Robbins (0.74¢/cal)