Buffalo Wild Wings vs Sonic Drive-In (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 85 items at Buffalo Wild Wings vs 92 items at Sonic Drive-In.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Buffalo Wild Wings averages $4.95 per item across 85 menu items, while Sonic Drive-In averages $3.28 across 92 items. Sonic Drive-In is $1.67 cheaper per item (34% difference). Sonic Drive-In has lower average calories (578 vs 1257 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo Wild Wings | Sonic Drive-In | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.95 | $3.28 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Menu Items | 85 | 92 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Avg Calories | 1257 | 578 | Sonic Drive-In |
| US Locations | 1,393 | 3,519 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 7 | Sonic Drive-In |
Sonic Drive-In is 34% cheaper on average than Buffalo Wild Wings ($1.67 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Buffalo Wild Wings
Sonic Drive-In
Lowest Calorie Options
Buffalo Wild Wings
Sonic Drive-In
Deep Comparison: Buffalo Wild Wings vs Sonic Drive-In
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Buffalo Wild Wings delivers 0.67¢/cal on average, while Sonic Drive-In delivers 0.86¢/cal. Buffalo Wild Wings gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Buffalo Wild Wings and Sonic Drive-In share 1 menu categories (5% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: drinks. 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:
- drinks: Buffalo Wild Wings avg $2.70 vs Sonic Drive-In $2.22 — Sonic Drive-In is 18% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Buffalo Wild Wings fits 1 item (980 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (320 cal)
- $15 budget: Buffalo Wild Wings fits 0 items, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (1790 cal)
- $20 budget: Buffalo Wild Wings fits 3 items (240 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (2090 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Buffalo Wild Wings ranks #92 of 414 on price (cheaper than 78% of tracked chains). Sonic Drive-In ranks #18 of 414 (cheaper than 96% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Buffalo Wild Wings, 6% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Sonic Drive-In, 46% are under 500 calories. Sonic Drive-In offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Sonic Drive-In ($3.28 avg vs $4.95)
- More variety: Sonic Drive-In (92 items)
- More locations: Sonic Drive-In (3,519 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Buffalo Wild Wings (0.67¢/cal)