Dairy Queen vs Jimmy John's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 64 items at Dairy Queen vs 42 items at Jimmy John's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Dairy Queen averages $4.08 per item across 64 menu items, while Jimmy John's averages $8.55 across 42 items. Dairy Queen is $4.47 cheaper per item (52% difference). Dairy Queen has lower average calories (571 vs 996 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dairy Queen | Jimmy John's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.08 | $8.55 | Dairy Queen |
| Menu Items | 64 | 42 | Dairy Queen |
| Avg Calories | 571 | 996 | Dairy Queen |
| US Locations | 4,500 | 2,550 | Dairy Queen |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 1 | Dairy Queen |
Dairy Queen is 52% cheaper on average than Jimmy John's ($4.47 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Dairy Queen
Jimmy John's
Lowest Calorie Options
Dairy Queen
Jimmy John's
Deep Comparison: Dairy Queen vs Jimmy John's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dairy Queen delivers 1.04¢/cal on average, while Jimmy John's delivers 1.52¢/cal. Dairy Queen gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dairy Queen and Jimmy John's 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), Jimmy John's fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (390 cal), Jimmy John's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (1960 cal), Jimmy John's fits 3 items (820 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dairy Queen ranks #46 of 414 on price (cheaper than 89% of tracked chains). Jimmy John's ranks #253 of 414 (pricier than 61% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dairy Queen, 41% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Jimmy John's, 20% are under 500 calories. Dairy Queen offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Dairy Queen ($4.08 avg vs $8.55)
- More variety: Dairy Queen (64 items)
- More locations: Dairy Queen (4,500 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Dairy Queen (1.04¢/cal)