Chipotle vs Denny's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 72 items at Chipotle vs 171 items at Denny's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chipotle averages $6.54 per item across 72 menu items, while Denny's averages $6.39 across 171 items. Prices are within 2% — neither chain is meaningfully cheaper. Chipotle has lower average calories (449 vs 544 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chipotle | Denny's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.54 | $6.39 | Tie |
| Menu Items | 72 | 171 | Denny's |
| Avg Calories | 449 | 544 | Chipotle |
| US Locations | 3,727 | 1,350 | Chipotle |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 0 | Chipotle |
Chipotle and Denny's have similar average prices.
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Chipotle vs Denny's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chipotle delivers 3.14¢/cal on average, while Denny's delivers 1.49¢/cal. Denny's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Chipotle and Denny's share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chipotle fits 0 items, Denny's fits 1 item (270 cal)
- $15 budget: Chipotle fits 0 items, Denny's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Chipotle fits 3 items (20 cal), Denny's fits 3 items (961 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chipotle ranks #173 of 414 on price (cheaper than 58% of tracked chains). Denny's ranks #168 of 414 (cheaper than 60% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Chipotle, 53% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Denny's, 56% are under 500 calories. Denny's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Denny's ($6.39 avg vs $6.54)
- More variety: Denny's (171 items)
- More locations: Chipotle (3,727 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Denny's (1.49¢/cal)