Chipotle vs Papa John's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 72 items at Chipotle vs 79 items at Papa John's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Chipotle averages $6.54 per item across 72 menu items, while Papa John's averages $11.72 across 79 items. Chipotle is $5.18 cheaper per item (44% difference). Papa John's has lower average calories (369 vs 449 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Chipotle | Papa John's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $6.54 | $11.72 | Chipotle |
| Menu Items | 72 | 79 | Papa John's |
| Avg Calories | 449 | 369 | Papa John's |
| US Locations | 3,727 | 3,200 | Chipotle |
| Secret Menu | 10 | 1 | Chipotle |
Chipotle is 44% cheaper on average than Papa John's ($5.18 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Chipotle
Papa John's
Lowest Calorie Options
Chipotle
Papa John's
Deep Comparison: Chipotle vs Papa John's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Chipotle delivers 3.14¢/cal on average, while Papa John's delivers 3.50¢/cal. Chipotle gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Chipotle and Papa John's share 1 menu categories (6% 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: Chipotle avg $3.33 vs Papa John's $1.80 — Papa John's is 46% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Chipotle fits 0 items, Papa John's fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Chipotle fits 0 items, Papa John's fits 1 item (270 cal)
- $20 budget: Chipotle fits 3 items (20 cal), Papa John's fits 3 items
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Chipotle ranks #173 of 414 on price (cheaper than 58% of tracked chains). Papa John's ranks #344 of 414 (pricier than 83% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Chipotle, 53% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Papa John's, 93% are under 500 calories. Papa John's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Chipotle ($6.54 avg vs $11.72)
- More variety: Papa John's (79 items)
- More locations: Chipotle (3,727 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Chipotle (3.14¢/cal)