Dairy Queen vs Firehouse Subs (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 64 items at Dairy Queen vs 66 items at Firehouse Subs.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Dairy Queen averages $4.08 per item across 64 menu items, while Firehouse Subs averages $8.49 across 66 items. Dairy Queen is $4.41 cheaper per item (52% difference). Dairy Queen has lower average calories (571 vs 586 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dairy Queen | Firehouse Subs | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.08 | $8.49 | Dairy Queen |
| Menu Items | 64 | 66 | Firehouse Subs |
| Avg Calories | 571 | 586 | Dairy Queen |
| US Locations | 4,500 | 1,200 | Dairy Queen |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 0 | Dairy Queen |
Dairy Queen is 52% cheaper on average than Firehouse Subs ($4.41 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Dairy Queen
Lowest Calorie Options
Dairy Queen
Firehouse Subs
Deep Comparison: Dairy Queen vs Firehouse Subs
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dairy Queen delivers 1.04¢/cal on average, while Firehouse Subs delivers 5.63¢/cal. Dairy Queen gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dairy Queen and Firehouse Subs share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (905 cal), Firehouse Subs fits 1 item
- $15 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (390 cal), Firehouse Subs fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (1960 cal), Firehouse Subs fits 1 item (310 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dairy Queen ranks #46 of 414 on price (cheaper than 89% of tracked chains). Firehouse Subs ranks #249 of 414 (pricier than 60% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dairy Queen, 41% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Firehouse Subs, 63% are under 500 calories. Firehouse Subs offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Dairy Queen ($4.08 avg vs $8.49)
- More variety: Firehouse Subs (66 items)
- More locations: Dairy Queen (4,500 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Dairy Queen (1.04¢/cal)