Chili's vs Sonic Drive-In (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 77 items at Chili's vs 92 items at Sonic Drive-In.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chili's averages $12.93 per item across 77 menu items, while Sonic Drive-In averages $3.28 across 92 items. Sonic Drive-In is $9.65 cheaper per item (75% difference). Sonic Drive-In has lower average calories (578 vs 800 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chili's | Sonic Drive-In | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $12.93 | $3.28 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Menu Items | 77 | 92 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Avg Calories | 800 | 578 | Sonic Drive-In |
| US Locations | 1,235 | 3,519 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 7 | Sonic Drive-In |
Sonic Drive-In is 75% cheaper on average than Chili's ($9.65 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Sonic Drive-In
Lowest Calorie Options
Chili's
Sonic Drive-In
Deep Comparison: Chili's vs Sonic Drive-In
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chili's delivers 2.25¢/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
Chili's and Sonic Drive-In share 1 menu categories (4% 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: Chili's avg $0.79 vs Sonic Drive-In $1.73 — Chili's is 54% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chili's fits 1 item (1582 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (320 cal)
- $15 budget: Chili's fits 1 item (631 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (1790 cal)
- $20 budget: Chili's fits 3 items (300 cal), Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (2090 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chili's ranks #361 of 414 on price (pricier than 87% of tracked chains). Sonic Drive-In ranks #18 of 414 (cheaper than 96% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Chili's, 31% 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 $12.93)
- 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)